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Rochester Hills

Minutes - Final

Green Space Advisory Board

Chairperson Gerald Carvey

Members: Thomas Dohr, Tim Gauthier, Richard Graham, Adam Kochenderfer, Lynn Loebs,

Dahlvin Peterson, Samantha Phillips, Beth Tilove

Council Member Nathan Klomp

Youth Representatives: Kelsey Jackson, Laisa Magucha, Michelle Thorpe

7:00 PM

1000 Rochester Hills Drive

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Carvey called the Green Space Advisory Board meeting to order

at 7:04 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Gerald Carvey, Tim Gauthier, Dahlvin Peterson, Beth Tilove and Richard

Graham

Present

5 -

Lynn Loebs, Adam Kochenderfer, Samantha Phillips and Thomas Dohr

Absent

4 -

Non-Voting Members Present: Kurt Dawson, Mike Hartner, Nathan Klomp and

Roger Moore

Non-Voting Members Absent: Kelsey Jackson, Laisa Magucha, and Michelle

Thorpe

Others Present: Jason Graves, Rochester Hills resident.

Committee Members Dohr, Kochenderfer, Loebs, Jackson and Thorpe

provided previous notice they would be unable to attend and asked to be

excused.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

2011-0293

Regular Meeting - May 24, 2011

05-24-11 GSAB Draft Minutes.pdf

Resolution.pdf

Attachments:

A motion was made by Peterson, seconded by Graham, that this matter be

Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye

Carvey, Gauthier, Peterson, Tilove and Graham

5 -

Absent

Loebs, Kochenderfer, Phillips and Dohr

4 -

Resolved that the Green Space Advisory Board hereby approves the Minutes of

the Regular Meeting of May 24, 2011 as presented.

COMMUNICATIONS

Council Representative Nathan Klomp gave a brief update regarding the

proposed charter amendment to address the protection of park lands. The

majority of City Council members support the concept and a sub-committee

was formed to examine the proposal language.

Mr. Mike Hartner, Director of Parks & Forestry, added that the sub-committee

will meet on Thursday, June 30. It consists of three council members, three

residents, Attorney John Staran, Alan Buckenmeyer, Mayor Barnett and

himself. There will be a public hearing at the July 18 City Council meeting

regarding the proposed language with the goal of presenting a ballot proposal for

the November election.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Jason Graves, Rochester Hills resident, was in attendance.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2007-0753

Update regarding any nominated properties

Mr. Hartner provided an update under the Property Nominations & Acquisitions

sub-committee report. See legislative file #2008-0132.

2008-0130

GSAB Administrative & Strategic Sub-Committee

Chairperson Carvey noted no report at this time.

2008-0131

GSAB Communication, Promotion & Education Sub-Committee

Member Tilove reported the sub-committee has begun discussing design ideas

for signage that would designate green space property boundaries. A

suggestion was made to consider placing a Quick Response (QR) code on

signage. A QR code is a specific matrix barcode that provides direct linkage to

websites for more information.

Ms. Tilove relayed the following suggestions from Mr. Graves for the next

Discovery Hike:

* Provide information to hikers regarding prospective green space properties.

* Challenge hikers to volunteer or donate their services for stewardship.

* Publicly recognize property owners who donate or sell parcels for green

space preservation.

* Any future millage renewal language could stipulate that funds be used for

equipment and supplies only.

2008-0132

GSAB Property Nominations & Acquisitions Sub-Committee

Mr. Hartner presented an in-depth presentation regarding the properties that

have been evaluated by GSAB. He explained that in 2006, all undeveloped

properties were evaluated and resulted in 188 parcels identified as candidates

for green space preservation. Those parcel owners received a letter of

introduction and explanation of GSAB’s mission to preserve open space and

were asked to submit a nomination form if they wanted their parcel to be

considered for acquisition. Fourteen (14) parcel nominations were received.

GSAB spent one year developing the score criteria by studying examples from

Meridian and Oakland Townships and making modifications to fit the GSAB

mission. The City supplied empirical data regarding the nominated parcels and

GSAB members walked each site to collectively discuss, evaluate and score

each parcel based on the established criteria. Consequently, GSAB has

forwarded recommendations to City Council regarding acquisition of favorable

parcels.

Discussed

[Member Phillips entered at 7:25 p.m.]

Gerald Carvey, Tim Gauthier, Dahlvin Peterson, Beth Tilove, Richard

Graham and Samantha Phillips

Present

6 -

Lynn Loebs, Adam Kochenderfer and Thomas Dohr

Absent

3 -

2008-0132

GSAB Property Nominations & Acquisitions Sub-Committee

(continued)

Mr. Hartner continued the presentation by distributing a map of the City's open

space parcels and discussed the map legend. He also distributed a map

showing all residential vacant land in the city. All properties considered by

GSAB happen to be zoned residential. It was noted that many of the smaller

remaining vacant parcels do not seem to have open space connectivity nor are

they situated adjacent to creeks, streams, or along the Clinton River, which has

been the main focus of open space preservation.

Mr. Hartner then distributed a map that showed properties GSAB has evaluated

but not recommended for acquisition at this time. It was noted Member

Gauthier maintains an internal document for members that tracks the status of

parcels evaluated by GSAB.

General discussion commenced regarding open space parcels and current

residential developments in the city.

Mr. Hartner distributed informational packets that topographically described the

four (4) parcels that GSAB has nominated for acquisition, but have not yet been

acquired for various reasons. They are:

1. Mead Road Parcel - #15-01-100-009:

Mr. Hartner explained that GSAB recommended acquisition in the first go-round

which was before property values began to drop in 2007. Over the following

three years, the appraisal decreased from $2.7 million to $480,000. Mr. Roger

Moore, City Surveyor, applied and received a 319 conservation easement grant

to obtain the development rights rather than purchase the parcel outright. A

three-part appraisal has been done which includes the value of the entire

property, the value of the portion of the land that will contain the conservation

easement, and the underlying value of the remaining land. Negotiations are

continuing between the City's administration and the property owner. The parcel

is worth preserving with a conservation easement which would also provide an

important component to connectivity in the north area of the City to Stoney

Creek Metro Park. However, it would not be a publicly accessible parcel;

therefore, the city would have to reach an agreement with the property owner to

have the ability to access the property annually for inspections.

2. Sheldon and Mead Road Parcel - #15-02-200-015:

Mr. Hartner explained how the City was awarded a grant from the Department of

Natural Resources & Environment (DNRE) Trust Fund for up to $500,000 for

the property. However, during the state’s long review process, the local

economy in Rochester Hills has shown improvement and all of the lots platted in

the previous phase were sold. During the City’s negotiations, it was determined

that the grant would not be able to purchase the property based on the original

appraisal and the City could not in good conscious pay more than the appraised

value. The developer is serious about protecting the ecologically sensitive

areas and has provided a written promise that he will donate 18 acres of the

sensitive wetlands for green space preservation which will also add value to the

development. However, the City had to decline the trust fund grant. A press

release regarding the forfeiture of the grant will be issued from the Mayor’s

office.

3. Yates parcels (3) - #15-13-426-001, 002, 003:

Mr. Hartner provided a review of the three (3) Yates parcels located at Avon and

Dequindre Roads. Eventually, Avon and Dequindre Roads will be re-aligned to

make a key intersection to provide safe access to the cider mill, the park, and

three trails: Paint Creek Trail, Clinton River Trail, and Macomb Orchard Trail.

General discussion ensued on the location of the three properties and how they

intersect and affect connectivity around Yates Park, the Yates Cider Mill, and

the trails.

The location will be important for the City as the Clinton River provides popular

recreation and public access. The owner has placed the nomination on hold

until he determines the road re-alignment project will not adversely affect the

cider mill business.

4. Clinton River valley - #15-15-404-002:

Mr Hartner explained that the six acre parcel travels along the north side of the

Clinton River. The cement plant has been demolished. Negotiations are

continuing between the city administration and property owners.

General discussion ensued regarding the Green Space millage fund balance

relative to acquisition of remaining valid open space parcels in the city. Various

options need to be carefully explored, such as re-evaluating some parcels a

second time, reducing the mills levied for the remainder of the millage, asking

residents to vote to re-purpose the millage for stewardship, etc., all without

sacrificing the integrity that GSAB has strived to maintain.

The board expressed sincere appreciation to Mr. Hartner for the in-depth

information and various maps provided.

Discussed

2008-0133

GSAB Stewardship & Advocacy Sub-Committee

Vice Chairperson Peterson reported that they have not met, but he has had

discussions with Mr. Hartner regarding the availability of Naturalist Ranger

DeVoe for training volunteers. The sub-committee will be exploring volunteer

options with boy scout groups, etc.

Discussed

NEW BUSINESS

None was presented at this time.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Chairperson Carvey distributed updated copies of the sub-committee roster.

NEXT MEETING DATE

The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 26, 2011. Chairperson Carvey

suggested that if there are no action items to discuss, the July 26 meeting may

not be needed. The board was in agreement. Therefore, the next regular

meeting would be August 283.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Chairperson Carvey adjourned the

meeting at 8:22 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Denise Mertz.

Minutes were approved as amended at the August 23, 2011 Regular Green

Space Advisory Board Meeting.

______________________________

Gerald Carvey, Chairperson