Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/08/2018

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• Whether the park system unit benefits from a facility in exchange for the parkland • Whether the need for the conversion, as in the instance of transportation improvements, is generated by the recreational park system unit Issues with respect to the alternative use: • The land area needs of the proposed project • Whether the specific site requirements for the proposed project are unique to the area proposed for conversion • Whether the proposed project is consistent with Council policies • Whether the proposed project is of greater benefit to the region than having the regional parks system unit remain in place For those changes that represent a potential system impact, the Council will use a process comparable to the review period for plan amendments that have a potential impact on the regional system. The Council will use an expedited review or conversions such as small exchanges of land to provide right- of-way for access, an expedited review will be used. Lands in the Regional Parks System may be subject to proposals for converting their use for a number of reasons. Some very limited conversions may be accommodated and still not affect the ability of the remaining area to offer the facilities and services planned. A well -designed transit waiting station or a properly located and operated yard waste compost site could be of positive value to the regional system and can be worked out between the proposing parties, the implementing agencies and the Council in accordance with the system management guidelines. However, most conversions are likely to detract from the ability to provide the type and quality of outdoor recreation experiences promised in the master plan. Some of the undesirable conversion impacts will be obvious and direct, such as unsightly landscapes or structures, barriers to movement, loud noises, and night light or obnoxious odors. Other conversion impacts are more indirect, such as those that affect water quality and plant and animal life. In addition to adversely affecting the Regional Parks System's ability to deliver service, removal of lands for non -recreation open space uses also sets a bad precedent. Restrictive covenants: The Metropolitan Council requires that a restrictive covenant must be recorded on all land that has been acquired for the Regional Parks System using regional funds. The restrictive covenant ensures the parkland is used in perpetuity for regional parks system purposes and ensures that there is no sale, lease, mortgage of the parkland or other conveyance, restriction or encumbrance filed against the property unless the Council approves the action in writing and the Council's approval is recorded against the parkland. The only restrictive covenant amendments approved by the Council in which no land was exchanged were for small strips of land needed for public highway improvements. The land was needed to make