09-14-2006 Park Commission Meeting

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COMMUNITY GROWTH I N S T I T U T E MEMORANDUM To: City of Pequot Lakes Park Board From: Lisa Barajas, City Planner Date: September 7, 2006 Re: Park Dedication for Final Plat of Trailside Estates At an upcoming Planning Commission meeting, the Planning Commission will be reviewing the Final Plat application for Trailside Estates. The Ordinance requires that all new subdivisions dedicate land to the public for the public use as parks, recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, or open space. In lieu of land dedication for these purposes, a fee may be required if suitable lands are not contained within the property to be subdivided. The Park Board's role is to review proposed subdivisions and to determine whether any land contained in that subdivision would be appropriate for a land dedication. If the Park Board finds that there is not any such land,then the Park Board may recommend that the fee be paid instead. The fee is not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the fair market value of the land prior to subdivision as determined by the Crow Wing County Assessor at the time of Final Plat approval. The Trailside Estates plat is proposing to create 53 residential lots on a 14.18-acre property. The property is located just to the northeast of the downtown with the Paul Bunyan Trail bordering on the west and County Road 112 bordering on the east. The applicant is proposing to maintain three outlots as part of the subdivision. Outlot A would be reserved for drainage purposes, Outlot B for a neighborhood park, and Outlot C for stormwater management, open space, and access to the Paul Bunyan Trail. Outlot B is 0.42 acres in size, or 18,279 square feet. The applicant has indicated that he plans to install improvements at the park including certified playground equipment consisting of swings, a slide, and monkey bars, similar to the type made of red wood. Other improvements to the park include a gazebo, street lights, trees, and pathways. The applicant has not drawn up any preliminary sketches of the proposed park improvements at this time, but has indicated that he will dedicate this park to the public as part of the final plat. He is proposing to dedicate the park, along with the improvements, and thereby eliminate any park dedication fee. The estimated market value of the land is currently estimated to be roughly$84,000. The exact value would need to be determined with the County Assessor, since the plat is not entirely within existing property boundaries, but rather covers one entire property and the northern half of a second property. The Park Board needs to determine whether the proposed park improvements are satisfactory and sufficient to meet the park dedication requirement of the Land Use Ordinance. If the Park Board determines that the proposed park improvements are not sufficient to meet the needs of the new residents resulting from this subdivision, the Park Board should include in their recommendation methods for improving the proposal. These methods may include a change in the proposed improvements (i.e. more, less, placement, style), a change in the amount of land for public use, or additional fees to be paid as part of the park dedication, among others. 14084 Baxter Drive, Suite 7 1 Baxter, Minnesota 56425 1218.828.3064 Iwww.communitygrowth.com