2010.12.15 Parks Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for November 15, 2010 Page 6 of 10 Discussion on Park Dedication Fee Ordinance At its September 20, 2010 meeting, the Council discussed proposed changes to the Park Dedication Fee Ordinance, which include adding an appeal process and a table to assign dedication based on the density of residential development. The Council also considered whether to require park dedication on commercial and industrial development and voted four to one to include FDA's recommendation to not require a parkland dedication fee on commercial and industrial land, and to review it again in four years. Council had directed staff to hold a public hearing at the Planning Commission on the draft Park Dedication Fee Ordinance. A public hearing was held at the Planning Commission meeting on October 28, 2010, and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended including a requirement to charge commercial and industrial property development a park dedication fee. Parks Planner Shayla Syverson presented to Council these recommendations from the Parks Commission, EDA, and Planning Commission. Jim Taylor, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission spoke in favor of park dedication on commercial/industrial property saying that parks make money and the City could lose 1.1 million dollars over time. Jim stated that the value of property near parks increases resulting in more tax revenue. He also said parks attract businesses and bring money into our economy. Tom Denaway Economic Development Authority Commissioner, defended the EDA's decision stating they were not anti -parks and not changing the Parks Capital Improvement Plan, just the best way to allocate the cost, and the development of commercial/industrial property did not create a need for parks. He explained that, as reported by the National Commercial Real Estate Association, there was no direct benefit from parks, and parks dedication fees affect the businesses' bottom line. Councilmember Haas supported a park dedication fee for commercial/industrial development, and said he sees the need for parks as a necessary part of city planning. As a businessman, he said he did not feel a parks dedication fee requirement would deter commercial/industrial development. The Council discussed the line item in the City's levy for parks; businesses are paying a larger portion of the levy than residential property. The Council discussed whether the lack of park dedication fee would hinder the development of parks. Petryk made motion, Weidt seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE 2010-449 REQUIRING PARK DEDICATION WITHIN THE CITY OF HUGO, MINNESOTA, (which does not include a park dedication fee for industrial commercial development) and require review of the ordinance in four years. Ayes: Petryk, Klein, Weidt, Miron Nays: Haas Motion carried.