Agenda - Council - 05/23/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Johns echoed and agreed with the comments from Councilmember Shryock. She stated that the policy as drafted benefits the community as a whole and therefore the dollars from development should continue to be focused on community parks and trail connection rather than small pocket parks. Councilmember Williams stated that Snake Park is the only park accessible to her home and the only way she can access the park is by walking 1/4 mile along Highway 47. She stated that it is essential that the entire community has access to the facilities without driving. She stated that there are parks without safe crossings to community parks. She stated that while the far north portion of the community is more developed, the rest of the community should not be left out. She stated that it is time as the community grows to review how traffic patterns have changed and identify areas that can bring the community together as there are large portions of the community that are not being served by the resources today. Parks Commissioner Sis noted that his development did not receive a pocket park and he felt conflicted as he felt he would value a park in his neighborhood. He stated that now that he has joined the Commission he can see the value in focusing efforts on community parks. He stated that he would not let his children walk alone to nearby parks and therefore he can see the benefit in larger community parks with more amenities. Councilmember Kuzma stated that he understands the big picture but noted that there are two separate issues. He recognized that there is limited funding on the big picture. He noted that the developer is willing to contribute a third of the funds necessary for a park and this is an opportunity to get this small park built. He believed that each opportunity should be reviewed on its own merits. Mayor Strommen appreciated the separation of the two issues. She noted that sometimes there are things that do not fit into the mold. She noted that this development is on another magnitude because of its size. She stated that she agreed with the comments of Councilmember Williams that people need to have access to parks and she values that. She stated that there is a balance somewhere because there is a value to the large regional parks but there is also need sometimes for smaller parks. Councilmember Riley stated that he has received a number of emails asking why a park is not being built in the development near the old municipal center. He agreed that this is a much larger development that needs a park. He stated that he would support a reduction in park dedication but perhaps not a dollar to dollar match. He stated that as Ramsey continues to be developed the needs of the City will change, noting that this development is different than any other development in Ramsey. Parks Commission Chair Bennett stated that this is a different issue because the developer wants this park in their development because it is an amenity. He questioned whether the overall community would have good access to the park within this development. He stated that he won't argue that this would be a great spot for a park but he was unsure that going against the policy would set the City up for the future. He noted that if these parks need to be maintained by the City there would be additional operations costs as well. He stated that if the funds are used in City Council Work Session / May 9, 2017 Page 8 of 10