Agenda - Council - 03/13/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 03/13/2012 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information 7. 3. Title: Consider Accepting Public Road Right -of -Way in lieu of Application and Escrow Fees Related to a Potential Minor Plat; Case of City of Ramsey Background: Late in 2011, the owner of Lot 9 Block 4 Alpine Woods (6324 154th Ct NW) approached the City about the use of an outlot adjacent to his property. The property owner had recently purchased the outlot and is now interested in constructing a shed on a portion of it. However, no structures are permitted to be constructed on an outlot and thus, the property owner considered pursuing an administrative subdivision that would, in essence, extend the western boundary of L9 B4 Alpine Woods south to intersect with the southern boundary of Outlot B (as shown on the attached conceptual sketch). In reviewing his initial proposal, Staff noted that there is a road stubbed in to Outlot B Alpine Woods (off of Vanadium St NW) with no dedicated right-of-way. Presumably, this stub was installed to provide eventual access to the two larger lots south and east of Outlot B, if they were ever to redevelop. Observations: The property owner's goal could be accomplished through either an administrative subdivision or minor plat. With either process, he would incur the typical expenses for survey work and legal documents, plus application/escrow fees. However, if this were accomplished through a minor plat, the City could obtain a right-of-way corridor along the southern portion of Outlot B and extending to the eastern boundary of the outlot that would address the stubbed in road. Since there would be a mutual benefit if the property owner proceeded with a minor plat, there may be reason to consider accepting a right-of-way corridor in lieu of the required escrow and application fees. The property owner has stated that he would be willing to pursue a minor plat rather than an administrative subdivision and dedicate the necessary right-of-way if that were acceptable. It does not appear that any other development fees would be applicable because there are no new buildable lots being created. Regardless of whether an administrative subdivision or minor plat were pursued, certain existing drainage and utility easements would need to be vacated and new easements would be required along the perimeter of the reconfigured property boundaries. Recommendation: Staff believes that the right-of-way could potentially be valued somewhere between $0.65 and $1.00 per square foot and therefore would exceed the fees (application and escrow) typically collected for a minor plat. Therefore, Staff would recommend that the City Council consider accepting dedicated right-of-way in lieu of the application and escrow fees that would be associated with the minor plat. Funding Source: The discussion about an alternative payment option is being handled as part of Staffs regular duties. Should the property owner pursue a minor plat, that would also be handled as part of Staffs duties due to the value of the right-of-way that the City would receive. Council Action: