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PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Four homes along Legion Avenue North are scheduled for removal in April and May of 2026, with a fifth and <br />final home anticipated to be removed later this summer. The VBWD intends to restore the site by preserving as <br />many existing trees as possible and planting native grass throughout the area, followed by one year of <br />monitoring and maintenance. The district is offering the property to the City for potential use as a public <br />amenity, such as a park. If the City declines, the district plans to sell the parcels on public auction with <br />conservation easements in place which would restrict any building on the sites. <br />If the city chooses to acquire the property, they may set conditions in the agreement that would benefit the <br />area and the future outlook of the area. Concept plans provided by VBWD include a pier, additional trees, <br />parking, and a gravel pathway throughout the area. The city would be responsible for any future upkeep of the <br />area and be restricted to any future buildings being placed on the property. <br />The Right of Way (ROW) in this area is extremely limited, leaving little opportunity for the City to use it for future <br />access or infrastructure improvements. Public Works and Engineering met to discuss the potential acquisition <br />and determined that obtaining the 2764 Legion Ave. property would be advantageous for the city, as it would <br />allow for improving the current hammerhead style turn around into a cul-de-sac. The existing “hammerhead” <br />turnaround was implemented during the 2024 reconstruction due to the constrained space and limited ROW <br />available at that time. <br />The City currently owns a small parcel of land located south of the existing properties, which was likely acquired <br />to accommodate a future roadway extension in this area. At present, there are no proposed development plans <br />to the south; however, this parcel may serve a future purpose as a trail connection linking to the Eden Park and <br />Packard Park developments. <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />The cost of acquiring the property would be minimal. VBWD has provided examples of past sales to <br />municipalities being $0-100 per parcel. <br />Future maintenance of the property would be required by the city, this may include yearly mowing, upkeep of <br />any trail or feature added to the area. <br />OPTIONS: <br />Do not acquire or purchase the property <br />Direct staff to proceed in discussions with the VBWD in acquiring the property: <br />Suggested options: <br />-Acquire only 2764 Legion Ave for future ROW and buildout of roadway. <br />-Acquire all five properties along Legion Ave <br />-Are there any conditions the city would like to request if acquiring any of the properties