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<br />Silverview Estates Land Donation <br />August 14, 2006 <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br />After discussion the donation concept over the phone with Mr. Skip Duchesneau, who <br />represents property owner Silverview Estates, Inc., Mr. Duchesneau agreed to allow the <br />City’s consultants to perform geotechnical work on the parcel and followed up with a letter <br />dated August 1, 2006, in which he confirms the owners desire to donate the parcel to the <br />City. (Letter attached for the EDA’s reference.) The only expressed stipulations to the <br />donation are that the transfer occur prior to December 31, 2006 and that the City pay for all <br />transfer costs and arrange for an appraisal to satisfy IRS regulations. <br /> <br />Staff supports accepting the land under the expressed terms and seeks EDA authorization to <br />contract with a firm to conduct a real estate appraisal consistent with IRS guidelines for <br />donated lands. Staff has discussed this with the City Attorney who pointed out the transfer <br />would need to be undertaken consistent with Minnesota Statutes which requires the City <br />adopt a resolution “accepting” the parcel. The EDA is not obligated to accept the land, of <br />course, however acceptance would seem to make sense given the trailways plans presently <br />being considered. Bonestroo is coordinating geotechnical work on this site and other sites <br />where trailways are planned. If the soil boring data indicate the presence of hazardous <br />materials or contamination, acceptance of the parcel may be rejected by the City. The figure <br />below depicts Segment 9 of the County Road 10 Corridor trailway project. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Staff is presenting this opportunity to the EDA and requesting authorization to conduct a real <br />estate appraisal to satisfy the terms expressed by the property owner. If the City Council <br />would prefer to not accept this parcel, no appraisal would need to be done. The development <br />potential of this lot is very limited and perhaps the highest and best use would be to preserve <br />its open space character and provide residents with a permanent opportunity to enjoy the <br />natural setting of the parcel. <br />Vacant Parcel <br />Proposed to be <br />Donated to City