Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/13/2022

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Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Date: 10/14/2021 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Recommend Park Dedication for Trott Brook Crossing Purpose/Background: 5.1. Purpose The purpose of this case is to affirm the Park Dedication recommendation made by consensus in May of 2020 for an approximate 270 lot residential subdivision that includes multiple parcels generally located west of Nowthen Blvd, east of Variolite Street, south of 175th Avenue and north of Trott Brook (previously known as the Makowsky property). The Preliminary Plat application has been filed with the City, and this Park Dedication and Trail Fee recommendation from the Commission at this time, will aid Staff and the Developer in forwarding the Preliminary Plat to City Council for consideration. Last year the Planning Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, and City Council, together with public comment provided feedback on a proposed subdivision that was very similar to the attached sketch plan (though now has fewer lots). The Park Dedication and Trail Fee recommendation below, though more specific, is nearly identical to what was outlined in 2020 and is consistent with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and desired trail connections to the Circle of Ramsey Greenway, as well as trail connections to the existing neighborhood to the South. The City of Ramsey has projected the need for a future Community Park #6 in this area, north of Trott Brook for decades, and more recently as part of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A Community Park is generally defined as a large park space with a variety of attractions, often with unique aspects and a park that serves multiple neighborhoods and that is also a destination. The Applicant has proposed a park in the northeast portion of the site which includes 13 acres of upland area with space for two flex fields, and the existing farmstead. Over the years the City has received a number of observations from the Brookfield neighborhood regarding the lack of park and recreation space in that neighborhood immediately south of the project site. The proposed park within the Trott Brook Crossings will serve the park and recreation needs for this new neighborhood (and the Hunt property development to the north) —and connection via a pedestrian bridge over the brook would also serve the needs of the neighborhood to the south —as well providing improved trail access to the larger city-wide trail system in this north -central area of Ramsey. Notification: Notifications of this proposal were sent via Standard US Mail to Property Owners in 2020 within 700 feet of the Subject Property, as reflected by Anoka County Property Records. A notice was also published in the Anoka Union Herald, the City's Official newspaper. The City also sent an invitation for an online open house hosted before the April 2020 Planning Commission Meeting. Upon Preliminary Plat submittal, additional public notices will be made. Observations/Alternatives: