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4. PARKS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: <br />At their August 11 and September 8, 2010 meetings, the Parks, Recreation and Open <br />Space Commission discussed the Park Dedication Policy and made a recommendation to <br />determine the amount of park dedication based on the density of the development and to <br />allow for developers to appeal the assigned dedication. <br />Also, the Parks Commission is recommending that park dedication continue to be <br />required from commercial and industrial developments because they generate a need for <br />parks. The following examples of use of park areas by businesses were given: <br />■ Wilson Tool employees use Water Tower Park for lunch breaks and have <br />requested additional park amenities be built. <br />■ The cafes and restaurants in Victor Gardens promote eating out in Victor Square. <br />■ KinderGardens Day Care frequently takes their children on the trails and uses the <br />playground equipment in the Victor Garden area. <br />The following reasons were given for how commercial and industrial development <br />creates a greater need for parks: <br />■ Linear parks and trails make industrial parks and commercial districts more <br />attractive to businesses. <br />■ Parks provide services to employees on their breaks. <br />■ Trails provide access to business areas. <br />■ Companies are moving towards keeping health care costs down and need facilities <br />and park amenities to encourage employees to be active. <br />■ Landscaped and natural areas make the community a more attractive place to do <br />business and draws businesses in. <br />■ Park assets help keep property values high. <br />5. ESTIMATED LAND USE AND FUTURE DEDICATIONS: <br />The Parks Commission requested that staff estimate future park dedications in <br />commercial and industrial developments and residential developments. Using the 2030 <br />Land Use map, it was found that there are 645 developable acres that are guided as <br />Commercial, Industrial or Business Park. There are 12,340 developable acres that are <br />guided Residential or Agricultural. <br />Therefore, 90.2% of the developable acres in the city would be subject to park dedication <br />if the Park Dedication Policy did not require dedication in commercial or industrial <br />developments. <br />Hugo is one of the fastest growing cities in the metropolitan area. A significant amount <br />of population growth is anticipated. Residential development is likely to continue for the <br />foreseeable future. As the population of Hugo grows, land uses change, and Minnesota <br />State Statues change, the Park Dedication Policy and the Fee Schedule can be adjusted. <br />