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Arndt Subd. Report August 8, 2005 Page 2 Park Dedication Requirements Every subdivision of land is subject to park dedication requirements. The City Code in Chapter 1202 indicates that up to 10 percent of the land value be dedicated to the City to help offset future park impacts associated with the development of land. The Fairchild property is valued at $4.42 per square foot. Two new homes will be constructed as a result of this subdivision, yet one of the homes replaces an existing home and thus should not be subject to the dedication. The land value of the smaller of the two lots to be created (Tract A) would be $56,700. Ten percent of that value--$5,670--would represent the maximum park dedication fee. On minor subdivisions such as this, the Council has assessed a 5% park dedication fee, as can be seen on the Park Dedication Fee Summary exhibit attached to this report. If the Council supports a 5% dedication, that fee would be $2,835. A five percent fee would be consistent with previous subdivisions and reasonable given the additional impact to the City’s park system. Easements With every subdivision of land, the City requires that drainage and utility easements be dedicated around the perimeter of the lot. The Certificate of Survey provided by the applicants indicates the presence of two existing utility easements and an easement along the front of Fairchild Avenue for right of way purposes. The two new lots fronting Fairchild Avenue will need to provide five-foot side yard and 10 foot front and rear yard utility easements. Staff will prepare these documents with descriptions provided by the applicant’s surveyor. One of the existing easements will need to be vacated—the five-foot strip that runs along the east five feet of the south 85.5 feet of 8084 Fairchild Avenue. Vacation of easements is accomplished by ordinance. That ordinance would be prepared subject to the Council’s approval of the subdivision. Technical Issues The Certificate of Plat and Survey provided by the applicants has been reviewed by the City Attorney and found to include some measurement discrepancies. To ensure the certificate of survey will be recordable, staff forwarded the certificate of survey to the Ramsey County surveyor’s office for their review and approval. The City’s approval will be contingent upon the County’s acceptance. With subdivisions of land, the City requires that title commitments be prepared for the affected lots to ensure all persons and parties having an interest in the properties are represented on the transfer documentation. The applicants have provided a Title commitment for the Sherwood Road parcel however a commitment will also need to be provided for the parcel on Fairchild Avenue. Planning Commission Action The Planning Commission reviewed this request at their meeting on July 20, 2005 and found that the request satisfies all zoning and subdivision requirements. The Commission considered the fact that there is a house on the site presently and suggested the existing home and associated outbuildings could remain until the new home was constructed, or for one year, whichever occurs first. Their recommendation of approval is attached for the Council’s reference.