05-02-2002 Parks Commission Agenda

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MAYOR Michael L I'ahcy 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55 1 1 7-1600 (6511 766-4029 / I~'AX: (651) 766-4048 www. ci.l ittle-Canada. mn. us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Fahey & Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator llATE: Apri15, 2002 RE: Palmen Property COUNCIL Bevciiy Scalze Jim LaVatle Mait Anderson R(Gc MonCour AIJRIINISTRATOR Joel R. Idanson At Wednesday's meeting, the City Council will be considering what the future of the Palmen (Tumquist Wetland) property should hold. To that end, I am enclosing the following materials to assist in your evaluation: • Past Park & Recreation Commission Minutes discussing the property in question. (These minutes are from the late 70's and early 80's and focus on the potential acquisition of this area. • Page 39 of our Park Master Plan showing a map of this site with comments. • Pages 51 & 52 from our Park Master Plan that deals with possible acquisitions for our Park System. (The property in question is clearly identified in this section.) • A map of our Trail System plan. • Two maps prepared by the City Planner indicating possible development on the parcel that complies witlr zoning and subdivision requirements. (The first is a 10-lot subdivision that would likely lose three lots due to the "average 75 foot setback from a wetland" according to a cursory review by the Watershed. The second is a 21-lot layout with a connecting sheet to Viking Drive. Again, some lots would be lost due the 75-foot average setback from a wetland.) • A Property Tax Analysis spreadsheet depicting the tax potential associated with development of this land. (Keep in mind we have not received a specific development proposal. Therefore, the numbers are staff's best estimate without the benefit of detailed planning analysis.) • A copy of a letter received from Mr. George LeTendre, attorney for the Palmen's stating concerns with enactment of our moratorium and site preparation issues. From staff s perspective, there are number of issues to consider in deliberating this issue. They are: •:• What are our plans for this property? Recent discussions by the Parks & Recreation Commission have focused on a boardwalk through the wetland area. We can likely acquire the land needed for this improvement through a park dedication versus an outlay of capital funds if the southerly portion of the property were to develop. It also appears that the portion of the property that has development potential has minimal opportunities for park uses other than open space. Is this acquisition a good value for the City?