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<br /> <br /> <br />DATE: April 2, 2025 <br /> <br />TO: Park Board <br /> <br />FROM: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director <br /> <br />RE: Natures Refuge North Preliminary Plat <br /> <br /> <br />M/I Homes of Minneapolis/St. Paul, LLC (M/I Homes) is submitting an application for a Preliminary <br />Plat for land north of Natures Refuge (see attached). The proposed plan includes 93 villa homes on <br />an approximately 59.30-acre site. The original concept plan for this development was reviewed by <br />the Park Board on November 1, 2023 (minutes attached). <br /> <br />The proposed Preliminary Plat accomplishes the following: <br />• Approximately 8.5 acres of open space adjacent to the Arena Acres neighborhood. <br />o We revised the original concept plan to pull back lots from Arena Acres to the <br />center of the development, increasing the buffer width from Arena Acres from 50 <br />feet to 160-400 feet, and reduced the number of lots from 108 to 93 homes. <br />• Approximately 34 acres of open space (58% of the site) and preserves natural features. <br />o We provided 4 more acres of open space from the original concept plan. Providing <br />this additional open space reduced the number of trees removed by 1,400. The site <br />plan also takes care to avoid as many wetland impacts as possible. <br /> <br />Linear trails are proposed to provide connectivity to the existing Nature’s Refuge trail to the south <br />and a future trail connection when the property to the north is developed. <br /> <br />Estimated Park Dedication is 93 lots x $3,500 = $325,500, less credit for trail construction costs. <br />Incidentally, the City collected $115,760 from Nature’s Refuge after crediting the developer <br />$77,000 for trail construction costs. The Park Board could recommend designating the remaining <br />cash dedication balances from Natures Refuge and Natures Refuge North to explore providing <br />trails and leisure opportunities at Lino Lakes Elementary School. A collaborative arrangement with <br />the Forest Lake School District of sharing resources could provide tremendous benefits for the <br />students and general public. <br /> <br />Attachments <br />Natures Refuge North Land Use Plan, dated 03/04/2025 <br />November 1, 2023 Park Board Minutes