Agenda - Council Work Session - 08/13/2013

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The new vegetation will be maintained in a natural state (not "manicured") in perpetuity so that as the trees and plants mature, they will screen views of the homes from the river. Generally, any subdivision within the City of Anoka is required to pay park dedication fees per unit created. The Anoka Park Board recommends the City Council accept the cash in lieu of land for the park dedication. The fee as adopted in the Anoka Master Fee Schedule is $2,543 per unit. On May 21, 2013 the Park Board voted unanimously to recommend that no park dedication funds be used for the proposed bank modification/restoration, as noted via the developer's original request. On July 2, 2013 the Park Board unanimously approved to recommend that if the official report comes back from the DNR approving the river bank restoration project as a viable and best practice, the Park Board approves implementation. On July 9, 2013, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the preliminary plat. Public testimony was received regarding concerns about the riverbank restoration project in the conservation easement, moving the trail closer to the river and inviting more people closer to the river that may cause additional theft and loitering, the road connection to the east north of the library and impacts to the conservation easement, and available parking for visitors in the Anoka Nature Preserve since the library parking lot is full and the off-street parking will be removed with the street connection to 6th Avenue. There is a trailhead planned north of the library that will have a playground and 8-12 parking spaces for the people visiting the Anoka Nature Preserve. A sidewalk and trail system connects the Anoka Nature Preserve and trailhead to the neighborhood. The City is working with the DNR, Anoka Conservation District, and the Developer to design a plan for the riverbank. Final design of the riverbank restoration project shall be reviewed by the Department of Natural Resources and Anoka Conservation District. FINANCIAL IMPACT: $100,000 for the river bank restoration COUNCIL REOUESTED ACTION: Adopt the resolution approval the preliminary plat for Rum River Shores.