Agenda - Council Work Session - 10/26/2010

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Prima Water Park Concept Plan at 7550 Highway 10 NW By: Tim Gladhill, Associate Planner Background: The City has received an application for an Amended Conditional Use Permit for the parcel generally known as 7550 Highway 10 NW. Council may recall this Subject Property was formerly known as Diamonds Sports Bar and Grill, Ol' Skool Bar and Grill, and most recently, Wyatt Earps. The City has reviewed multiple requests for commercial outdoor recreation on the Subject Property. City Staff is currently working with the Applicant to develop a complete application prior to the Planning Commission and City Council formally reviewing the request. The request is to amend the existing CUP for commercial outdoor recreation to allow for a wake board park utilizing a pulley system. The existing softball fields would be reconfigured into a stormwater pond that would also serve as the pool for wakeboarding. The main use would be outdoors, with the exact use of the existing building unknown at this point. There may also be an opportunity to utilize the pulley system in the winter as a snow board track. Part of the request involves utilization of property currently owned by Anoka County. This approximately five (5) acre parcel was originally intended for use of a river corridor crossing. However, as the Council is aware, the preferred location of a river crossing is now further west of this location. The new river crossing location is partially Officially Mapped and neither the County, nor the City have plans to utilize this parcel for transportation purposes. Anoka County Parks Staff has also commented that the parcel is not necessary for the functionality of Mississippi West Regional Park. The parcel does contain certain stormwater improvements, which are being proposed to be utilized and reconfigured for use of the water park. The parcel also contains a trail that leads to the Mississippi River. The County does not wish to own the parcel if it is to be used for recreation purposes by a private party. County Staff has expressed willingness to sell the property. Due to the timeline for declaring surplus property to sell to a private party, the Applicant is requesting that the City purchase the property using the Applicant's funding. The Applicant has supplied a certified appraisal from Clark T. Goset Real Estate Services in the amount of $72,000. The Subject Property is currently encumbered by a Purchase Agreement with Connie Krueger of Elk River, MN. Ms. Krueger is currently working with Mike Brady of KW Commercial Properties on the real estate portion of the project. Ms. Krueger is working with Prima Water Parks, who operates multiple, similar projects around the country. Ms. Krueger would like to present the concept plan to the City Council to discuss the project in broad terms. Ms. Krueger will decide after City Council discussion whether or not to proceed with developing the required engineering plans necessary in order for the City to consider the application complete for review. City Staff is looking for feedback on the following: