Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/03/2005

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P62 Further discussion: Councilmember Cook stated he would probably be the last one to give a piece of parkland away, but this is not designated parkland. The Park and Recreation Commission has had a long term goal of a bike trail going down Highway 47, and this will also close this issue after 25 years of discussion. Councilmember Strommen stated she does not disagree with the goal, but they have done the Park and Recreation Commission an injustice by not allowing them to weigh in on this. Also, the park is a value for the neighbors and they have been done an injustice as well. Councilmember Jeffrey indicated he agrees that getting neighborhood input would be valuable here. He inquired about the zoning. City Administrator Norman replied the area is zoned as park and will be rezoned with the potential use of townhomes. Councilmember Strommen commented this action would put the motion in process of the property owner applying for a rezoning. Councilmember Elvig questioned if moving this forward would put the City up for any type of precedent. City Attorney Goodrich replied this is a unique situation: Councilmember Pearson commented all of the park dedication should have been made with River's Bend Park. City Administrator Norman replied'this was a land exchange, not a dedidated park. Councilmember Elvig inquired if the owner has determined the townhomes would be doable. City Administrator Norman replied this site is in the Critical Scenic Overlay District. The property owner wanted to build apartments but found he could not qualify for that and lowered it to townhomes. City Attorney Goodrich clarified if the motion is passed it will be contingent on City land not being dedicated park or restricted parkland, and subject to final approval by the City Attorney as to form of agreement. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Pro Tern Elvig, Councilmembers Cook, Pearson, and Olson. Voting No: Councilmembers Jeffrey and Strommen. Absent: Mayor Oamec. Case #5: Request for Final Plat Approval of Ramsey Office Park; Case of Steven Feldman and Riverside Companies Associate Planner Wald explained the City received a final plat application from Steve Feldman and Riverside Companies to subdivide Outlot A, Rivers Bend 3rd Addition. The subject property is located south of 143ra Avenue, east of Trunk Highway #47, and west of Xkimo Street. The sketch plan is proposing to subdivide the subject property into one buildable lot. Mr. Feldman submitted a site plan application for the development of a 12,000 square foot office facility on the proposed Lot 1. The grading, drainage, and utility plans will be reviewed as part of the site plan process. Access will be derived from Xkimo Street. The site plan is not proposing to gain any access from Trunk Highway #47; therefore right of access along Trunk Highway #47 is being dedicated to the State. The City's master Park and Trail Map shows a pedestrian trail along Highway #47 from Xkimo Street where the trail terminates on the Holiday Station property, extending to 142"a Avenue. The City is requesting a separate easement in recordable form to be given to the City by Riverside Companies in order to accommodate the required trail. Associate Planner Wald stated the Planning Commission reviewed the sketch plan at their December 2, 2004 meeting. The Commission approved the sketch plan and recommended that the developer proceed to final plat. She advised it should be noted that as part of the site plan discussion for the proposed office complex on the subject property, the Planning Commission discussed the pedestrian trail along Highway #47. The Planning Commission was opposed to City Council/February 8, 2005 Page 22 of 30