10/27/2004 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Park Board Meeting - May 3, 2004 Minutes • to further develop Birchwood Acres Park (half court basketball court ?) . Rick indicated Mr. Michael Black from Royal Oaks Realty, Inc., is present to discuss the development and park dedication. The Park Board needs to make a recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council regarding park dedication requirements. Chair Lindy stated the Park Board has obtained this type of property for park dedication fees in the past. The corner lot does look unworkable as far and development and a park area. The question is the value of that land. The City already has a lot of unusable parkland. Rick stated he would not consider the proposed area a park area. The area would strictly be an avenue for residents to loop while walking. He indicated that is why he believes a cash dedication should also be required to satisfy the park dedication fee. Chair Lindy asked if there would be an internal trail access within the development. Rick advised there is a single entrance from the southwest parcel. There would be other connections when other properties develop to the north. Mr. Mike Black, Royal Oaks Realty, referred to a drawing of the property noting it is a 50 -acre site. He also pointed out the wetland delineation areas. The upper area was designated as parkland because the neighborhood indicated they want trails. He referred to the proposed plat noting the park area would provide a passive trail loop and also provides for future trail expansion to the northeast. He stated the park dedication was determined by the land value and the cost to construct the trail. Those costs are double the amount of park fees if the City were to obtain cash dedication. He noted the trail loop could be eliminated from the plan if the Commission requests that. Chair Lindy inquired about the distance from the proposed trail to the nearest existing trail. He stated it is not a contiguous trail loop. Mr. Black stated the trail would provide for future connections. The area is heavily wooded and would provide a nice trail experience. He indicated he does not know how far the trail is from existing trails. Chair Lindy stated the Park Board has to decide if there is merit • to the trail loop. He suggested it might be better to develop that parcel with homes and develop a trail system within the development. He inquired about the average lot size. 2