PARK COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, September 3, 2003 7:00

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.

Members Present

Committee Members John Dupont, Woody Woodburn, Jean Midthum, Charty Oliver, Jennifer Young

Staff Dana Young

Members Absent

Barbara Nye, Jon Monson, Council Liaison

Proposed Dock Plan for St. Louis Bay

Dana Young stated that an application has been submitted to the LMCD requesting 40 boat storage units immediately south of the Main Beach. The proposed dock would replace 12 docks currently in use shore space and would contain 31 slips and 9 slides. He stated that the application had originally been submitted to the LMCD in March, when it was learned the LMCD was considering a moratorium on allowing additional boat storage units in really dense bays. He stated that the application was submitted in a hurry due to the short timeline and was eventually postponed until better information could be submitted. He stated that the revised application was presented again in July and a final decision was again delayed due to concerns raised by both the LMCD Board and the public in attendance regarding amenity points, parking problems and other issues.

Jennifer Young asked if the parking problem on Park Avenue had been addressed. Dana Young stated that it has not been finally addressed at this time.

Woody Woodburn stated that the project does not add any value to the beach and would be a detriment to
the beach area.

Jean Midthun wondered what the additional number of boats would do to the quality of the water? Dana Young asked if there were any comments from the public in attendance.

Woody Jewett, 3605 Parlay - Jewett asked what happened at the meeting on April 9th to bring all the residents to the meeting. Dana Young stated that the meeting was an open forum on all boat-related issues and it was from that meeting that the City Council directed the Boat Committee to re-examine the manner in which we are currently providing boat spaces to the public. Jewett stated that there is a substantial difference in the size of Carson's Bay versus St. Louis Bay and asked why additional docks weren't proposed for Carson's Bay. Dana Young explained that there wasn't sufficient space at Carson's Bay to support additional docks.

Gary Rappaport, 3940 Walden Shores Road - Rappaport presented photos of the Main Beach showing the potential impact of the new docks. He stated that he was surprised that the Park Committee was just learning about the potential destruction of the whole park site.

Patricia Florance, 3920 Walden Shores Road- Ms. Florance stated that there were numerous toddlers at the Main Beach which made it an excellent kid's beach. She stated that she asked many mothers what they thought of the dock idea and she stated that they all thought it was a terrible idea. She also felt that being in the beach with the docks would add to the water pollution.

Alison Fletcher, 3845 Northome Road - Ms. Fletcher stated that she also was surprised that the Park Committee had not reviewed the recommendations from the Boat Committee. She stated that there was a real lack of communication between the two committees. She stated that she had reviewed the City's Comprehensive Plan and it described St. Louis Bay as a beach area, not as a marina. She also stated that she was disappointed that the City will be holding a public meeting on September 10th and not a formal public hearing. She felt a public hearing would afford the opportunity to have the issue discussed before ma impartial group such as the Planning Commission.

Woody Woodburn stated that there should be better communication between the two committees on a major issue of this nature. Dana Young stated that there likely would have been a different approach taken if it had been known about concerns that this application had caused. He stated that the reason the application had been submitted prior to public discussion on this project was due to the uncertainty whether the LMCD would even approve the application because of their concern with the critical density of St. Louis Bay.

Julie Welle, 19400 Park Avenue - Ms. Welle referenced the 1974 Boat Density Policy adopted by the LMCD and stated her concern that this dock project would create a "super density" situation on St. Louis Bay.

Patricia Florance, 3920 Walden Shores Road- Ms. Florance questioned the March LMCD meeting and stated that the new docks will still not provide enough docks for all the Deephaven residents who want them.

Jim Countryman, 19200 Lake Avenue - Mr. Countryman stated his concern that the additional traffic, parking and safety problems will create at the Main Beach and on Lake Avenue due to the increased traffic caused by the new decks.

Paul Skrede, 18875 Azure Road - Councilmember Skrede stated that the reason a public meeting was scheduled for September 10th is to obtain citizen input prior to the next scheduled meeting with the LMCD. He stated that the reason it is a public meeting rather than a public hearing is due to the timing of the meeting. There wasn't sufficient time to go through the legal notification requirements for a public hearing and still hold the meeting on September 10th.

Woody Jewett, 3605 Parkway - Mr. Jewett asked where will we find extra parking to accommodate the additional boat slips? He asked if there had been any discussion about using the Parkway for additional parking. Dana Young stated that the only discussion impacting the Parkway was the possible installation of canoe racks. Mr. Jewett stated that he would strongly object to having this green space used for parking. Kathleen Jewett stated that she also felt that the Parkway, which is heavily used by children and families, should not be used for additional parking.

Lori Boisclair, 19400 Azure Road - Ms. Boisclair asked if the City is scheduled to appear before the LMCD at their September 24th meeting. Dana Young stated that the City has not selected a date to reappear before the LMCD.

Alison Fletcher, 3845 Northome Road - Ms. Fletcher asked if we haven't hit the wall in terms of density. She stated that there will always be pressure to add more docks but the Council needs to come to the realization that we have enough docks.

The Committee recommended that the plan to add additional boat storage units on St. Louis Bay would detract from the Main Beach and surrounding park land, add considerably to the existing parking and traffic problems, add pollution to the bay, and detract from the aesthetics of the Main Beach on a motion by John Dupont, seconded by Woody Woodbum. Motion declared carried.

Amesbury Park

Discussion was held regarding the Arnesbury Park Project. Jennifer Young stated that the project should not be called Arnesbury Park until a final decision is made on what to call this new park. Woody Woodburn asked if any work had been done on developing a master-landscaping plan for the park, maintenance shed and fire station. Dana Young stated that nothing has been done on this project since the Park Committee discussed this matter last July. Dana Young stated that it was unlikely that landscaping for the park, maintenance shed or fire station will be undertaken this year anyway with the late construction start for both the shed and fire station. Further discussion on the development of the park will be held next month.

New Members

Dana Young briefly reviewed the changes that will be instituted with the adoption of the Committee Reorganization Ordinance. He stated that the Committee will need to recommend the appointment of three additional members and distributed a list of residents who expressed interest in joining the Park Committee. Paul Skrede recommended that the Committee consider placing a notice requesting volunteers in the upcoming October Newsletter. The Committee thought this was an excellent idea.

2004 Park Improvement Fund Budget

Dana Young briefly reviewed the 2004 Park Improvement Fund Budget and asked the Committee to consider what items and projects to include for next year. Further discussion on the 2004 Budget will be held next month.

Other

Paul Skrede asked if anyone knew when Walden Beach became known as Nocomo Beach? None of the Committee members were able to answer Mr. Skrede's question.

Woody Woodburn suggested that some process should be set in place for naming Amesbury Park. It was decided that a notice should be placed in the January Newsletter requesting suggestions for a name for this park.

John Dupont stated that the bushes in the Children's Park need to be trimmed as they were obscuring the bricks.

Nancy Middleton suggested that the Committee consider getting rid of the sand at the Children's Park. She stated that children were throwing the sand into the fountain damaging the motor and the sand was continually eroding.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Chatty Oliver, seconded by Jennifer Young. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting of the Park Committee will be held on October 1st.