Agenda Packets - 1989/03/20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: Clerk -Administrator and City Council FROM: City Planner Herman DATE: February 15, 1989 SUBJECT: TAX FORFEITED LANDS In the recent past, various Councilmembers have expressed interest in acquiring tax forfeited lands located within the City. Various uses have beer. proposed for each of the parcels. The feasibility Of these uses versus the cost of acquisition will be d the following: iscussed in Parcel A Parcel A is a triangular shaped wetland measuring 1.63 acres. The County has appraised the property at $1,400'00, although the intended use by the City is to have it remain vacant. At the present time this property is rendered unbuildable by the City's wetland ordinance as the entire parcel is contained within the wetland or its buffer. It is because of the wetlands designation that the City may wish to purchase the property. In the future, wetland parcels, especially those in private hands, _ may need to be acquired under threat cf the raking issue. Until the erect o ordinance ca is overturned in court or a legal opinion is rendered on the issue of taking, it has been assumed that the City would not be purchasing wetlands. The City may be setting a precedent by obtaining this wetland. Potential costs to the City over and above acquisition costs may be the maintenance of the wetland area. It is reasonable to assume chat nearby residents will expect City maintenance of the wetland occur upon discovering new ownership. Maintenance would be hampered by lack of funding for clean-up and no public access to the site. Potential benefits may include enhancement of the wetland which may produce better storage capacity and aesthetic and natural improvements. Funding for acquisition costs may be obtained from the General Fund or more appropriately, the Storm Water Management Fund.