05-02-2002 Parks Commission Agenda

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MINU1'GS CITY COiINC1L AP73~IL 10, 2002 written notification to the City. Fahey indicated that the issue could become a criminal one if any clearing of the property begins. L,eTendre commented Chat there may be other issues decided by the courts as well. LaValie requested a 30-day notification. One property owner in the area expressed concern about the increased gun-off in this area given the development that has occurred over the years. This increased run-off has caused the water table to rise and has increased the mosquito breeding areas. He also informed the Council about a storm sewer system through the area that is not reflected on the City's storm sewer maps. 'phis system existed in the 1970's and helped to drain the area. The resident also pointed out that if the Palmen property develops, underground utilities would be installed very close to the Williams Pipeline. He questioned the safety of this as well as the liability that the City would incur if there was a problem. This resident felt that an em~ironmental study should be done i^ conjunction with the Cities of Maplewood and St. Paul before any development occurs. Fahey pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Ramsey/Washington Watershed to ensure that development does not have an adverse impact on drainage ^oC only in Little Canada, but other cities as well. Duane Schwartz, 2400 Morrison, expressed concern about the tax-exempt status of this land and the benef is realized by the property owner over the years that this tax-exempt status was in place. Schwartz asked what recourse taxpayers in the City have in this situation. Fahey noted that the property was reclassified to tax exempt in Che early 1990's. This was done by Ramsey County with no notification or input on the part of the City. The County is now in the process of reclassifying the property to taxable and wi(I be collectuig bacl: taxes for the past 6 or 7 years. Schwartz asked if taxpayers have any recourse about the fairness of this issue. Scalze suggested that this was something that should be addressed to the Ramsey County Board. The City Administrator noted that the property owner has done nothing illegal or improper regarding the tax-exempt status of their property. It may be possible to claim the County made an error in its original decision to exempt the entire property, but that is not the fault of the property owner. Schwartz indicated that the Office of Pipeline Safety is suggesting that cities adopt additional setback tiom pipelines and have su~~gested a setback distance of 200 feet. Schwartz asked if Little Canada has adopted a minimum pipeline setback. Fahey reported that the City has not, but suggested that this tmay be something to look at. He noted, however, that thei e are many properties in the