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

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this manner that takes away from addressing issues at other existing parks in the City that serve other neighborhoods. Councilmember Shryock asked the density of this development compared to other developments that have constructed and maintain their own playgrounds at their own costs. Mayor Strommen noted that the market has changed since the older plats were approved and therefore the economics should also be considered. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that there are just a few weeks to sort out this issue with the developer and therefore he was hoping for a strong consensus to help guide this. He asked if the City would be responsible for this in terms of park dedication credit or future maintenance. He stated that if the park was going to be park dedication credit funded then perhaps the park should be made more unique. He stated that if the park is on the greenway corridor that could bring other people in from other neighborhoods. He stated that people are not going to travel to reach a neighborhood park that looks just like theirs. Parks Commission Chair Bennett stated that he has heard over and over the comment that people want the parks to have every amenity and that cannot occur if the City continues to pursue pocket parks. He stated that while this looks great, the City has to be careful to go against its own policy. Mayor Strommen stated that the policy is important and maybe if there is a unique opportunity, such as a homeowners' association with a dense development, perhaps there is an opportunity to carve something out that would not give dollar to dollar credit towards park dedication but would give credit for unique options. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that perhaps the City could offer half the development costs of the park with park dedication credit and the homeowners association would provide long-term maintenance for a nature based park. He noted that could be an interim policy until the long-term policy is reviewed. City Administrator Ulrich noted that the City does give credit for trails and if the park area is open and accessible to trail users, perhaps a credit could be negotiated. He stated that bathrooms would be reserved for large community programs. Parks Commissioner Trappen stated that he lives in a neighborhood where the lots vary in size from one acre to three acres and therefore it could take a lot of space to service a large number of homes compared to this denser development that would serve a lot of people. He stated that perhaps the idea of density could be considered in a long-term policy discussion. It was the consensus of the Council to create an interim exception that would allow for negotiations on this development case for a trail system and trail wayside park area that would be accessible and inviting. 3. TOPICS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION City Council Work Session / May 9, 2017 Page 9 of 10