Laserfiche WebLink
Commissioner Fox referred to the future of the Chain of Lakes and inquired if this <br />is the model they will agree to in principle as the Chain of Lakes goes forward, if <br />there will be the ability for passive recreation, or if the Martin Avenue piece will <br />remain the way it is. Ms. Harryman replied that the negotiation took a long time, <br />and that Zone 7 and the City were focused on getting this matter wrapped up. <br />Commissioner Fox noted that in 2004-2005, Ponderosa and the City took out the <br />bike path and then installed the storm drain and rebuilt the bike path. She <br />inquired who owned the property between trees and the curb and if the City will <br />also replace trees that were damaged. <br />Wes Jost replied the Martin Avenue right-of-way is adjacent to the buffer, and <br />there is no gap between the buffer area and the road right-of-way. He indicated <br />that the City will control that entire area and that according to the landscape <br />architect, most of the dying trees are Black Walnut trees, which have lived their <br />normal life cycle and will be removed by the City with no intention of replacing <br />them. <br />Commissioner Fox inquired what the process to have the trees replaced would <br />be after the License Agreement is signed. Mr. Jost replied that he was not aware <br />of that the Agreement calls for in this regard but that this would fall under the <br />responsibility of the Department of Parks and Community Services. <br />In response to Commissioner Fox's inquiry if there was an encroachment permit <br />since the pipeline was under the bike path, Mr. Jost replied that the maintenance <br />of the pipeline is the City's responsibility after it was installed by Ponderosa. He <br />added that this would be included in the License Agreement. <br />THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. <br />Michael O'Callaghan indicated that he has been involved in the area since 1978 <br />when homes were being built in the Martin-Trenery area. He stated that their <br />understanding then was that the buffer area was always going to be open space <br />and part of the Chain of Lakes. He noted that he has worked since 1980 on infill <br />development and that nothing strikes more clearly than a Public zoning. He <br />stated that developers have no fear of Agricultural zoning as they see properties <br />like the buffer as opportunities for making money. He added that he sees a <br />playing chip between Zone 7 and the City for along-term trade-off as many <br />developers like parcels where they could build custom homes and still have <br />enough room for trails. He indicated that he believes the buffer area should <br />remain open space and that as a citizen, he would like to see a Public zoning. <br />He stated that the Commission should carefully consider its zoning if the City is <br />really interested in keeping area as open space in perpetuity and developed into <br />the Chain of Lakes. <br />Commissioner Blank disclosed that he personally knows Sherryl Dennis. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 23, 2008 Page 16 of 25 <br />