Agenda - Council - 04/13/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Riverdale Drive Riverdale Drive needs to be extended from Llama Street to Bowers Drive in order to serve this area. The City Council has previously approved a Cost Share Framework between the Developer (Capstone Homes), Owner (Pearson Properties of Ramsey) and the City. This is a non -binding framework, but sets important expectations. The City has applied for a $1.25M grant from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). If successful, the City will begin plan preparation. Approvals are set up in such a way that the City is not liable for the costs of Riverdale Drive unless additional funding is secured. If unsuccessful in the current grant application, the project will simply be delayed or the cost share framework simply renegotiated. Park Dedication At the recommendation of the Park and Recreation Commission, Park Dedication is planned to be satisfied by the following. • 1 Acre of Land Dedication • $350,000 Cash Contribution (for purposes of developing the 1 Acre Park) Tree Preservation A key component of public support of the project was to preserve an area of forest on the project site beyond the minimum requirements of City Code. The Planning Framework articulates that a component of allowing smaller lot sizes was to preserve an area of forest more than the minimum required by the City's current Tree Preservation Code. Using the Planning Framework as a starting point for discussion, the Developer ultimately proposed preserving 7 acres of the existing forest. However, the Developer feels that the value of this land exceeds the value of the trade off of smaller lots in exchange for additional tree preservation. In consideration, the Developer is asking for a payment of $350,000 for this area. The City Council previously reviewed this concept as part of the Planning Framework. The City Council previously authorized Staff to apply for 2 natural resource grants. Unfortunately, the City was not able to secure an appraisal to support the $350,000 request. Staff will be forwarding a revised funding proposal, likely the Anoka County HRA, at a future date. The Preliminary Plat Resolution clearly articulates that funding should come from an outside source. By approving the Preliminary Plat, the City Council is not encumbering any City Funds. For clarity, Staff highly recommends against any further credit to Park Dedication for purposes of acquiring the Tree Preservation Area. Environmental Review The project has completed an Environmental Review Worksheet (EAW). The EAW has gone through the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) review process. It appears that the project meets all applicable environmental regulations and no further environmental review is recommended. Funding Source: All costs associated with processing the Application are the responsibility of the Developer. The City Council has previously agreed to a Cost Share Framework for Riverdale Drive, to be finalized at a later date. The City Council has previously agreed to the concept of a $350,000 payment for the 7 acre tree preservation area.