Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/08/2001

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passive use and taking advantage of the lakefront and existing wildlife. Mr. Peck inquired if the City is looking for additional park land or cash park dedication. Commissioner Rolfe stated that in his opinion the area along Lake Itasca should be a passive use area. Commissioner Droegemueller stated that the City has five community parks and a lot of small neighborhood parks. He likes the idea of an area south of 153rd Avenue being used for ball fields or more active use. He did not see any need for a large athletic complex north of 153rd Avenue. Mr. Droegemueller stated that the City has a unique opportunity to have a picnic area in the City of Ramsey, which is something the City does not have presently. Motion by Commissioner Ostrum, seconded by Commissioner Cook, to recommend that Itasca Park be a passive use, because of the sensitivity of the area and that any dealings in the future the City consider additional park land dedication rather than taking solely cash, to increase the size of the park. Further discussion: Commissioner Droegemueller noted that he would take cash dedication also if the land does not meet the park dedication requirements. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Cook, Commissioners Ostrum, Droegemueller, Johns, and Rolfe. Voting No: None. Case #6: Recommend Park Dedication for Derek Nordviks Lot Split Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that on Tuesday, April 10, 2001' the Planning Commission will be reviewing the proposed sketch plan to split Mr. Derek Nordvik's 5.4 acre homestead into two lots. In December 2000, the Board of Adjustment recommended granting a variance for the lot split. The City's Park and Trail Plan shows an existing 75 foot trail corridor west of this property connecting to the Lake Itasca Trail head (this corridor is both north and south of the section line, and is misaligned where the orientation changes side). The plan shows a proposed extension of the trail east to Traprock Park, with north and south trail also proposed on both Armstrong Boulevard and Variolite Street. Staff recommended that up to 37.5 feet be received as park dedication as extension of the trail corridor on the south line. The remaining portion of the standard 75-foot wide corridor could be acquired when the property to the south is subdivided. The above land dedication would equate to .43 acres or about 80 percent of the minimum land dedication required. Cash could satisfy the balance of the land dedication or additional dedication adjacent to the road right-of-way along Armstrong Boulevard for the trail proposed to be constructed along this County road. A $325 trail fee would be required for the new lot created. Mr. Nordvik noted that if .43 acres were taken from him then he would be under the five acres and would not meet the 2.5-acre lot size requirement. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos explained that Mr. Nordvik already needs a variance and the Park Commission could recommend to the Board of Adjustment that the trail segment be included as part of the variance. Commissioner Rolfe inquired as to what the status was of the property directly south of Mr. Nordvik's property. Park and Recreation Commission/March 8, 2001 Page 7 of 8