2003 August Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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E I Rural and Open Space Committee Focuses on Preservation The Rural and Open Space Committee continues farmland,including non-traditional agricul- to meet on a regular basis to fulfill its mission to ture such as hobby farms,horse farms,and I i develop methods to preserve open space and the nurseries rural heritage of Hugo. Recent meetings have wildlife habitats,including wetlands and j focused on identifying those resources in the drainage areas r; community that are worthy of preservation. private recreational facilities, such as golf Community Development Director John Rask courses and private sportsman's clubs explains, "Before we start talking seriously about • scenic areas,recognizing that there are areas preservation methods,we want to take time to that have a high aesthetic value identify those things in the community that are • ground water recharge areas,making sure worthy of preservation in the first place." they are not paved over or contaminated Toward that effort,the committee is developing a Haas notes that two other significant decisions set of criteria or features which would make a have also been made by the committee. The first piece of land worthy of preservation. Committee is a commitment to a voluntary rather than a member Chuck Haas emphasizes, "We're not mandatory incentive program,and the second is going to be drawing lines on a map,identifying that their preservation efforts will contain some individual parcels of land. We will instead create permanent and some temporary components. a set of criteria, and any land that meets those "Some areas need to be preserved from develop- criteria will be considered for preservation." The ment permanently,"Haas states, "while other committee has met with experts from a variety of areas may need to be guided or safeguarded for groups,including the Minnesota Department of development later down the road." 'Jatural Resources,the Washington County Soil and Water Department, and the Metropolitan The committee has no immediate plans to pres- Council,to help them determine features worthy ent a formal report to the City Council. "Our of preservation. Haas states, "I think the main work is very complex," explains Haas, "and ingredient of our preservation efforts is going to we're going to take our time and do a thorough Anyone who is be water—lakes,rivers,creeks,wetlands—that's job." The public is welcome to attend all meet- going to be the framework for our committee." ings of the committee. They are held on the interested in third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Specific examples of the types of resources that the Hugo City Hall. selling land to are likely to be preserved are: the City of Hugo is asked to contact City City Looking to Acquire Administrator Mike Ericson at hand for Parks City Hall or The City of Hugo would like to acquire land for neighborhood parks,active recreational areas,and Parks open spaces. "We are primarily interested in land located in the central portion of the City,"explains Commission Community Development Director John Rask, "but we wouldn't rule out any parcel of 20 to 100 acres suitable for active recreation purposes." Funds for purchasing this land come from the City's member Pete park dedication fund,which is obtained from new development in the City. A$1,800 fee is collected Pedersen at and deposited into this fund when new residential lots are created. Anyone who is interested in sell- 651-426-4126. ing land to the City of Hugo is asked to contact City Administrator Mike Ericson at City Hall or Parks Commission member Pete Pedersen at 651-426-4126.