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PCM20080407 CITY OF MUSKEGO PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES approved 6:00 PM Monday April 7, 2008 Bay Lane Middle School, S75 W16399 Hilltop Drive Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT Mayor Johnson, Ald. Fiedler, Commissioners Noah, Hulbert, Burke, Stinebaugh, Jacques, Plan Director Muenkel and Recording Secretary Renk. ABSENT None Recording Secretary Renk noted that the meeting was properly noticed on March 27, 2008 in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL SESSION regarding the newly proposed amended site plan for Park Arthur located in the NE ¼ of Section 4 (Tax key Nos. 2173.994, 2173.991.002, 2173.991.003, & 2173.993 / S63 W17833 College Avenue). Note: Time will be given to allow individuals for comments and a question/answer session about the newly proposed plans with the City’s Recreation consultants, Park Board, and Planning Commission. Director Muenkel explained this item was deferred at the last Plan Commission meeting. A public information meeting was scheduled and residents within a half-mile radius were notified. About 600 notices were sent out inviting residents to this information meeting. Members of the Plan Commission, Park Board and the City’s consultant David Burch will be answering questions. David Burch, the City’s consultant with Bonestroo, gave a presentation with background information and the details of the Park Arthur site plan. Mr. Burch explained the key issues for designing Park Arthur were site access; parking; safety; connection to properties, roadways, and trails; phasing; and funding. The process began in May 2007 with the proposal from Bonestroo. In September 2007 letters were sent to stakeholders inviting them to the stakeholders meeting on October 3, 2007. The Park Board held public Information meetings on December 10, 2007 and February 11, 2007. As a result of the public input sessions buffers were increased at the residents request. Mr. Burch explained Park Arthur is in the category of a community park, which is 25-100 acres in size and extends 1-4 miles. Park Arthur is not a muti- community or regional park. Mr. Burch reviewed the master site plan and explained 25% of the park will be active and 75% will remain passive. There are two accesses to the park, one on College Avenue and one on Martin Drive. At the entry off of Martin Drive is an archery range and two main parking areas. Mr. Burch clarified a football field is proposed on the west side of the park, not a stadium. Also on the west side are 4 smaller soccer fields and one full size soccer field, picnic areas, and open areas. On the east side of the park will be 3 small baseball diamonds with lights, a concession area, and play area. To the south of that is proposed a pavilion for winter sports, an ice rink, sledding hill and a large baseball field. A mile long equestrian trail surrounds the park and a walking path of a mile long is located within the park. There will be no mow areas throughout the park and trees will be planted in the open areas. Mr. Burch discussed concerns of the residents. Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008  Why is the park needed? The need is based on short and long term needs of the City based on the Comprehensive Plan and Park and Conservation Plan.  Who will the users be? Residents of Muskego  How was the meeting noticed? The first meeting notices were sent out by the normal procedure of 300ft and posted at City Hall. This meeting notices were sent out to residents within a half mile.  Location and Size? Based on land availability. This property was purchased for the Park and Recreation purposes.  Lighting? Based on the standards for safety and security. Newer technology like cut off shields will help to prevent light spill. Mayor Johnson opened the meeting for public comments and questions. Sandy Kurka, Muskego Drive –  August 2007 the Parks and Conservation Plan listed the area as high priority conservation area  City plans show soccer fields at the Moorland Park.  Impossible to fund any other parks in the near future  How much are taxpayers willing to pay for parks?  Stewardship grants will not cover baseball fields  Mayor Johnson stated no taxpayers dollars will be used to fund this park  Quoted Craig Anderson that a baseball field costs $40,000 – 100,000  Parks and Recreation does not have the money to maintain the fields they have now  Stakeholders were asked for comments, but the common user was not  If stewardship funds are not received would taxpayers have to pay?  The park is being developed over time, how old will the children be when it is finished?  Creek drains to Little Muskego Lake and there is no buffer zone to the wetlands high priority area who will pay to clean up the lake?  Little Muskego Lake was shut down in the past due to pollution.  Will taxes have to be raised to deal with lake pollution. Paul Oman, S63 W16495 College Ave – member of the school board for 12 years.  Kids are older and will never use the park, but still supports it  Looking back knows this is a good facility  Well laid out  Will take time to implement  Why should we support clean up of Little Muskego Lake when property owners on the lake fertilize their lawns.  Parking shortage  Expensive to maintain fields st David Brandt, 171 and College – lived in Muskego for 38 years  The curve on College needs to be fixed if there is extra traffic on the road.  Park is fine  College is unsafe for kids on bikes Suzi Link, W172 S7297 Lannon Drive –  The City is due for a park  It will be used for local teams but who will they play against  Just because we own the land this is not the place for a sports complex PAGE 2 Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008  People will use the restaurants and gas stations in New Berlin and come to Muskego just for the park.  Enter and exit the park and head into New Berlin  Muskego residents will be paying for a park to generate revenue for New Berlin  Topography of the park is very hilly  Challenges Mayor’s Task Force to bring a regional draw to Muskego through a centrally located park  Recognize the need for a park and figure out the most appropriate location on Janesville Road, Racine Avenue, or by the Muskego High School.  Will the park be a benefit economically or become a tax burden  This a massive project to do all at once, prioritize the projects and resources  Liability issues of the archery range pointing at the parking lot  Good idea, but the location is a mistake John Skalla, Garnet Drive –  Not the best location, but cheaper to excavate the land  Lots of kids in the area with nothing to do  If the park land isn’t developed now, it will be eventually with a strip mall and more lights and more oil run off or more homes and kids  Great opportunity, great proposal Norman Frahm, W180 S6575 Hardtke Drive –  Doesn’t mind the park or soccer and baseball fields, concerned with the amount  Too much for a residential neighborhood  Concerned with water run off from 300 parking spaces and roads  Concerned with the traffic and parking, already a problem on summer weekends and th holidays. Over the 4 of July takes an hour to get back to normal.  Too many cars for this area  No parking signs are ignored at Calhoun Park Vera Stroud, New Berlin – Served 11 terms on Waukesha County Board  Pleased that the park is 75% passive  Concerned with fire and safety vehicles being able to get through traffic from the park in case of a fire or emergency  Questioned if an environmental impact statement was completed for DNR funding  Stated this park will be effecting residents of New Berlin also Greg Wieckowski, School Drive –  Slow down with development  If there is a demand for a sports complex let Longnecks or private business handle it  Develop the eyesore, Parkland Mall  No Roundabouts Kris Homan, Fennimore Lane –  There are four games on Saturdays at the same time at Bay Lane School and it is peaceful Tracey Blair, Racine Ave –  Has six kids and uses the park facilities for soccer, football, baseball and basketball  Appreciates a local location PAGE 3 Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008  The majority of her children’s teams play against Muskego teams with the exception of soccer, some are from other citites.  Lives by the high school – lights are on and horns honk, but it is not bothering Pat Kipinski –  Agrees with both sides  No control on Martin and Lentini with the speed.  All for baseball, but need more control Dave Sernec, Oakhill Drive-  The City should not pay for any baseball diamonds. Was a member of the Hales Corners Little League project and the booster club raised money for fencing, fields, a well, concession stands and bathrooms. The City paid for the land, sewer, and drainage.  The neighbors should determine if they want lights.  Will there be adult softball?  Will beer be allowed?  Who will clean up the horse mess?  Traffic will be bad on Lentini Drive  Soccer fields are already planned for the Moorland Road Park, business should go there instead – lost revenue.  No problems with the park, problems with traffic and water run off  Build another row of houses behind Lentini and put a road through for the park as a buffer Ald. Bob Melcher –  Received emails from 10 residents supporting the park  Park dedication fees are now back in place and could help pay for the park  Lives behind Muskego Park and has no problems with horses  Strongly supports the park and feels there is a need for parks in this community Laurie Kontney, Coventry Lane –  Regrets the park is not in her backyard  Should not be concerned with things we don’t know about.  Move forward and see what happens  Travels often and sees the park systems in other communities and Muskego does not come close to the beautiful park complexes surrounded by homes of other communities.  Supports the park, wonderful concept  Consider the vision and take a chance Mike Axtmann, Ranch Drive – President of Subdivision Association  The overflow parking lot for lake access is not enough  Growing too fast  Taxes went up  Will any of the tax dollars go to pay for the park?  Will dogs be allowed in the park?  Doesn’t mind a park  Concerned with weeds Gene Affolter, Lentini Drive – PAGE 4 Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008  Had two kids in sports and didn’t mind going wherever they needed to go to play.  Likes peace and quiet  Moved to Muskego because it is peaceful Don Kehring, S63 W17781 College Ave –  Home is located in the middle of the complex  Not against park, against the magnitude of the park  Lighting is a nuisance  Area will glow and lights will radiate into the windows  Turn the lights off by 9:00 PM  700-900 people will use the park daily, will the sewers on Martin have capacity  What about the cost over run?  Concerned with maintenance, up keep costs, noise, waster run off and pollution  Have the parks close prior to 10:00 PM  Against a sports complex Cindy Bridgford, Lentini –  The football field will be behind her house and questioned how large of a buffer will be created  Questioned if bleachers will be installed, if there will lighting on the football field, and if there will be a lighted scoreboard Ray Kleppin, School Drive –  Lived in the city for 9 years  Supports a community park Ann Sodermann, Spinnaker Drive – member of the MAA Board  Baseball leagues need a place to play  Tee ball alone has grown 23.9% in 1 year  Needs complex this large David Burch answered questions:  Met with the Conservation Coordinator to ensure the environmentally sensitive areas are preserved.  Eligible for stewardship funds based on the passive/nature based areas and have been successful in receiving grants in the past  Common users were not ignored, meetings were posted  Team/clubs have approached the City inquiring on funding and maintenance  Visiting teams will pay for concessions at the park  A state recreation immunity law protects against any liability if the park was designed for the use intended  Archery range is not pointing at the parking lot. A earth berm prevents arrows from going beyond the proposed area.  Stormwater management will comply with Ctiy Ordinance and State Best Management Practices. Run off will drain into a stormwater pond.  Two entrances/exits were designed to disperse traffic to avoid safety and fire issues. Scheduling and hours of operations will assist with managing traffic.  The buffer area on the west will be 100-150 feet in width in some areas with low mounds and trees up to 30-50 feet in height over time.  Restrooms will be designed for the proposed use. PAGE 5 Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008  Proposal meets the open space requirements  An environmental statement is not required. A wetland delineation was completed.  The football field may have portable bleachers but the size has not been determined. It will not be a fixed stadium there will not be lights or a loud speaker.  A scoreboard has not been discussed.  Funding has been put in place for unknowns such as soil conditions, weather, and bidding  Buffers are adequate for noise control  Clustering the fields together is more efficient for maintenance Resident  Concerned with safety of kids running/playing near horses  Traffic on Lentini and College is horrendous, concerned with safety of kids playing  Please everybody and scale back the size of the park  Keep the soccer and baseball fields, just not as many of them Jerry Farner, Lake Forest Subdivision –  In favor of the park, but be sensitive to the residents  As a coach, is embarrassed when other teams come to Muskego to play  Fees are charged through the athletic association help pay for the fields  By saying there will be a massive amount of traffic you are saying there is a need  Clearly a need Dan Miller, Topaz Drive –  Do the road first Scott Campbell, Martin Drive –  Cut the park to half and spread out through the City of Muskego Judy Galetka, Grove Street –  Likes the idea, loved to have a park 10 years ago  Muskego is growing and needs park facilities  Shortage in ball diamonds  Quite areas are beautiful  Everything the park has is needed  Move it forward Mike Schmidt, south side –  Supports the park  Shut off the lights at 10:00 PM  City has only one regulation baseball diamond, two are at the high school, but they are locked up  City charges users fees to use the baseball diamonds  Organizations are willing to pay Mark Stoiber, S65 W18026 Martin Drive –  65 parking spaces are included in the passive use  Involved with soccer and paid for with his own money, not public money Resident PAGE 6 Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008  Polonia uses city fields without permission  Fields are taken care of  Kids need activity  Wants kids to be able to use parks  Great to have this facility Rene Asti, Hardtke  Idle Isle as an example against this park  Vandelism  Water bugs have taken over Idle Isle, this park will be taken over by teams Patrick Allenstein, Martin Drive  Consultant is not answering questions only using words like may, might, could, should Ald. Neil Borgman –  Concerned with taking a footpath and turning it into a 2 way driveway  The lake district limits cars while the park is adding 300 parking spaces  At the College entrance a car would have to do a 180–degree turn to get into the parking lot  Significant amount of land will have to be moved and flattened out  Concerned with up keep of fields  Concerned with water run off – a pond 100 feet deep will be needed  A subdivision on 70 acres would not be allowed a pond as small as the one proposed  With the help of the Reynolds Company a street could be built parallel to Lentini  In 5-7 years another Park and Recreation Board, Plan Commission and Common Council will have to fix this problem. Ald. Tracey Snead – Member of the Park and Recreation Board  At the first public hearing lack of parking was the biggest issue and so more parking was added  The park will not be completely built in 2008. It will take 7-10 years.  After every phase the plan will come back to Common Council to review if the needs have changed and approve funding  The fields will be lined only the days of play, the rest of the time it will be an open field  Park Arthur is a community park by definition Director Muenkel added phasing of the park will take 7-10 years to complete. Stormwater run off ordinances will be the same for this park as it is for residential and industrial developments and will be approved by the Public Works Committee. Ponds will hold water longer and water will be treated better then before the park was developed. Stormwater management will meet MMSD and DNR requirements. City Engineers and the Consultant’s Engineers will review the impacts to the entrances and exits on the surrounding roads and the sewer and water needs before anything can be constructed. OLD BUSINESS FOR CONSIDERATION RESOLUTION #P.C. 033-2008 – Approval Park Arthur Site Plan located in the NE ¼ of Section 4 (Tax key Nos. 2173.994, 2173.991.002, 2173.991.003, & 2173.993 / S63 W17833 College Avenue). Mayor Johnson stated as Police Chief he did receive many complaints at Idle Isle, but the facts are the City needs more play space and fields to accommodate the children. The City has no other property and would have to buy property to relocate the park. The consultants designed Park Arthur for the best use. The College Avenue entrance was PAGE 7 Plan Commission Minutes, continued April 7, 2008 added and fields were changed. The park will be reviewed as time goes on and Mayor Johnson further stated he will be requesting the Police Department to do traffic studies this spring, summer and fall to determine how much traffic is created as the park is phased in. Plan Commission can stop the progress based on facts. Commissioner Hulbert stated there are valid concerns but this project needs to move forward. Commissioner Hulbert further stated he does not see a scenario where all the parking lots will be filled and traffic will be leaving at the same time and explained baseball, football, and soccer all have different seasons. The park will be open space for 9 months out of the year and will be the most underutilized park in the City. Ald. Fiedler stated he would prefer this park were in his district as they are underserved with parks. To move the park to another area of the City would take too long and cost too much and there is a need for a park now. Ald. Fiedler further stated he feels comfortable with the amount of times this item will come back to Plan Commission and Common Council to approve the Resolution. Suzi Link suggested relocating the park to the historical center on Racine Avenue and save millions of dollars. Ms. Link further stated the consultant did not look at any alternate sites, only the College and Martin site. Upon a roll call vote, Resolution #P.C. 033-2008 was ADOPTED 6-1 with Commissioner Stinebaugh voting no. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS None ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Jacques made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 PM. Commissioner Hulbert seconded. Upon a voice vote, motion carried. With no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Kellie Renk, Recording Secretary PAGE 8