Agenda - Council - 04/23/1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I '1 I I I I I I I I I CASE DISCUSSION REGARDING CHARGES FOR VACATING EASEMENTS By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik Background: The City currently charges a $1,000.00 non-refundable fee for applications to vacate public easements. This fee is set annually by a Council resolution adopting rates and charges. All other land use type applications in the City require a fee and/or an escrow amount. The fee is non- refundable and the escrow is used to cover costs incurred by City Staff in processing the request. Any funds remaining in the escrow account after an application is completed through the process are refunded to the applicant; the applicant is also responsible for any costs incurred exceeding the required escrow amount. Observations: The $1,000.00 fee for vacating easements was established within the last couple of years. I believe the rate was established at $1,000 to compensate the City for the value of property released in addition to recouping the costs incurred in processing the request. The discrepancy between applications to vacate easements (non-refundable fee only) versus other land use applications (payment of costs incurred and/or set fee) has been brought to my attention and I am bringing the matter to Council for reaffzrmation or reconsideration. For your information, the following charges apply to other land use applications in the City: Conditional Use Permit Variance Rezoning Site Plan Minor Subdivision Subdivision $100 Fee $100 Fee $100 Fee $150 Escrow $150 Escrow $150 Escrow $500 Escrow $500 Escrow $750 Escrow I have contacted surrounding communities regarding their rates for vacating easements. Anoka charges a $50 fee plus the applicant pays all costs incurred in processing the request; Andover charges $160 and Elk River charges $110. At this point, I can identify the following options: a) b) c) Retain the $1,000 non-refundable fee to cover processing costs and land value. Charge a predeterimined non-refundable fee in addition to an escrow to cover processing costs. Charge an escrow to cover processing costs and a per acre rate for land gained by the applicant in the vacation. Recommendation: Council Action: Will be based on your discussion. Review Checklist: City Engineer Project Manager CC: 4/23/91 Zoning Administrator Acting City Administrator