06/04/1990 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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-7- cities with a cash dedication equal to $ 154 per unit. In addition to Vadnais Heights, Arden Hills, Little Canada, Roseville, and Shoreview all have dedication formulas which are perfectly equitable in terms of taking the same amount of land. Some local governments, Vadnais Heights included, may require an additional expenditure by requiring the multi family housing developer to construct a small playlot on the same site. In nearly all the cities examined in this study, multi-family developments contribute less cash on a per unit basis than single family residences. Therefore it may be argued that this approach is not equitable in the sense that the single family homeowner has paid a much higher park fee even though both families (single & multi family) may equally use a park. Two pieces of information seem to ameliorate this concern. First, the alternative approach of requiring the construction of a playlot as part of the proposed multi family development is a reasonable additional expense. Secondly, having a reduced unit fee for multi family developments as many of the cities in the upper half of Table IV require seems to be logical from a resident and developer perspective, but may not be entirely equitable. Example No. 3 This a commercial/industrial development consisting of a light manufacturing building of 24, 644 square feet (S. F.) on 1. 9 acres. It is this landuse in which there is the greatest difference among cities in how cash dedication is handled. Two thirds of the cities require a percentage of the land in equivalent cash value on the order of 3 - 10 %. Other cities have required a fee based upon a per acre or square footage of development. The former example seems to be logical in that it equates the value of the dedication with the value of a similar amount of land which could be taken. In the case of Vadnais Heights, it would appear to be impossible to take a land dedication when the land value is $ 16, 553 but the required cash dedication is only $ 1,200. Conversely, white Bear Township could take either land or cash as they would be equivalent. The requirement for any land or cash dedication for commercial/industrial landuse arises occasionally and should be discussed. First, it would seem that many cities have been requiring a substantial cash dedication for some time with no problems with respect to development (Roseville, Arden Hills) . Second, a commercial or industrial enterprize has no direct need for parks and recreation in contrast to the more obvious police, fire and public works services a local government provides. Indirectly however, its workers may choose to relocate to a city whoose park system is adequate and well maintained.