Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/26/2021

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access could be restricted, and public access could be considered as trespassing. He stated that the concern of finding area for parking is different from if it were a dedicated park. Chairperson Bauer stated that at some point the property owner may wish to do something else with that property. Mr. Kurak stated that the purpose of purchasing the property was to make a park and donate it to the City. He commented that he does have raw land experience and he negotiated with the previous farm owner to purchase his farm property. He stated that he does have experience dedicating land to the City for public purpose. He stated that he would eventually like to dedicate the land to the City. He stated that he would sign an agreement to such if it meant gaining access and a parking lot. Chairperson Bauer commented that if the land were sold in the future for development, would the easement need to be a certain size to allow other uses. City Planner Anderson commented that the entire 40 acres is wetland and therefore is not developable short of a boardwalk type trail. He stated that short of going through costly wetland mitigation it does not appear developable. He stated that the case tonight is related to the variance, and he would be happy to continue the discussion with the property owner offline. He noted that the Preliminary Plat was already reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission and City Council and therefore the Commission is beyond that point of discussion. He noted that staff and the City Attorney could continue discussions with the property owner related to his easement request. Commissioner Walker asked how the property owner has been accessing the property for the past 20 years if it is landlocked. Mr. Kurak identified trails from the north that he and others have used to access the property. He noted that even though the property is landlocked, it is attractive, and people still visit the area. He stated that he is sad to hear that Preliminary Plat was approved without at least including a cartway to his property. Motion by Commissioner Peters, seconded by Commissioner VanScoy, to close the public hearing. Motion Carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Bauer, Commissioners Peters, VanScoy, Anderson, Dunaway, and Walker. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Gengler. Chairperson Bauer closed the public hearing closed at 8:33 p.m. Commission Business Commissioner VanScoy commented that this is a good alternative to adding fill to the wetland. Planning Commission/ July 22, 2021 Page 11 of 22