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MINUTES <br />City Council <br />February 24, 1982 <br />Mitchell Mr. Hansott informed the Council that Mr. John Mitchell is trying to <br />Agricultural preserve his property and has requested approval of an agricultural <br />Preserve preserve designation for his property. Mr. Mitchell has over 39 acres, <br />Request a greater portion of this property being located in Vadnais Heights. <br />A large portion of the property in the area of Mr. Mitchell's property <br />is Water i~orks property. The approval is contingent upon Vadnais <br />Heights also agreeing to the request. <br />Mr. Mitchell explained a little about the program to the Council. <br />This act ~oould take the property out of the jurisdiction of the City <br />even to the extent of levying assessments or taking easements, The <br />designation will also provide a tax benefit to Mr. Mitchell. <br />Mr. Forsberg asked Mr. Mitchell about his present green acres designation. <br />Mr. Mitchell replied that his property has been designated green acres <br />for about six years. He also receives a tax benefit because part of his <br />property is in timber. Mr. Mitchell informed the Council that he <br />presently extends the use of his property to senior citizens. Mr. <br />Mitchell stated that he has about 14 acres of property in Little Canada. <br />Mr.. Hanson reported that the total tax the City L•eceives from the Mitchell <br />property is about- $40 to $60. Mr. Hanson also stated that he did not feel <br />the Ciky would ever run any improvements in the area of the Mitchell <br />property. Hanson stated that iE Vadnais Heights approves this request, <br />he has no objections to it. <br />Mr. Fahey stated that he questions the bene£it of such a designation and <br />questioned who would pay the cost for it. Fahey stated that he had no <br />strong feelings against the request, but did not feel the City should <br />spend tax dollars to give Mr, Mitchell a tax shelter and a shelter against <br />easements and assessments. <br />Mr. Forsberg commented that the City would not be hurting itself taxwise. <br />Mr. Fahey stated that the City should not incur any costs in this and <br />if any PLanner, ~ngineer or Attorney costs are incurred, these should <br />be paid for by Mr. Mitchell. <br />Mr. Mitchell. agr.eed [o Chi.s. <br />rv!xs. Scalze commented that Mr. rtitchell has the right to do what he <br />wants with his property. <br />Forsberg commented that it is an unusual request as the City does not <br />get requests to preserve property. <br />Ptrs. Scalze asked how costly it would be to add a new zoning code to the <br />Ordinances. The Planner did not feel it would be very costly. A public <br />hearing would have to be held to amend the text o£ the ordinance. The <br />Planner stated that he had models to work from. The Planner did questa.on <br />if the City would have to identify other pieces of pxoperty in the City <br />that could be similarly eligible. <br />Page -12- <br />