Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/06/2008

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Park and Trail Dedication and Access Requirements for Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Communities By: Breanne Daines, Associate Planner Background: Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Cornnmnities has submitted a site plan, minor plat, comprehensive plan amendment, and conditional use pennit application to construct a 10,000 square foot building on the property located on the northwest corner of V ariolite Street and 161 st Lane, just east of Central Park. After significant discussion among staff and the Parks Commission, staff is recommending that the park dedication requirements be satisfied through the dedication of 1.6 acres of parkland (5% of the tota132 acres) on the central portion of the site. The church has indicated that they intend to develop the area near the wetland as a park available for public use. Dedicatipg it as such would ensure public use when the park is developed. It would also provide an opportunity to partner with the church on maintenance and construction costs. As part of the staff review, it was required that an additional access be installed in order to adequately provide police and :fire safety. Staff is requesting that the location of this second access align with Xenolith Street to the south. Staff is also recommending dedication of right-of-way for Xenolith Street to the future Central Park access. The access issue at Central Park has been a concern for several years. It is assumed that a portion of this street would be paid by the church, and a portion by the City (see exhibit). Staff would not recommend construction of the street to full City standards at this time, due to the uncertainty of future development and the immediate need for emergency access to both the park and the church site. The church is requesting that the second access be located nearer the boundaries of Lot 1 within the existing parking lot. With the construction of an access to Central Park and to the church's parking lot, staff is recommending that the trail be constructed along 161 st Avenue from Variolite to Xenolith, then along Xenolith to Central Park. The City and church would share in the cost of the construction. . Finally, staffis requesting that a portion of land on the north side of the property, adjacent.to Yolite, is platted as an outlot and deeded to the City. There is a worn path on the church's property where residents access Central Park, and this would be needed to reduce trespassing. Also, this portion may be needed for a future through street, if the Council decides that a northern access to Central Park is needed. These changes will require the submission of a preliminary plat, due to the road being platted and constructed. The preliminary plat (and associated public hearing) and final plat could be heard at the same City Council meeting, in order to keep this project on track. Staff plans to meet with the church regardIng these recent changes. There is also an opportunity to partner with the church to assist in the re-location of a large amount of significant trees on site. Any tree preservation could be credited toward the church's landscaping requirements, and some of the re-located trees could be moved to Central Park. Attachments: Site Plan of recommended park dedication, trail and road construction, and platting changes. Action Statement: Discuss the appropriate park/trail dedication requirements and the location of the proposed second access, and provide direction for the applicant to move forward to final plat/site plan. ccws: 5/6/08 -21-