Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/13/2005

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CASE # 2 I'A RK DEDICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT OF SUMMERSET MEADOW By: Leonard Linton, Civil Engineer llackground: I*ultc l lomcs has submitted the Preliminary Plat for Summerset Meadows. The project was introclt~ccd as a sketch plan last spring. The project required an Environmental Assessment W(~rk.~hcct (EAW) which was reviewed by the City Council on July 26, 2005. The determination was made that further environmental review is not required. The project also recluircd an EAW for the sanitary sewer extension which was reviewed by the Minnesota l'ollution Control Agency. The determination on this project was recently received allowing this l);o. jcct to go forward. The project site is west of Armstrong Boulevard and south of Alpine Drive. The proposed corridor for the Mississippi River Crossing traverses the site and r ight--t)¢way for this connection is reserved in the plat. ()bscrvation: ~/'hc preliminary plat covers 187 acres, the current proposal is to develop 606 housing units on 136 acres. The remainder of the site is platted as outlets for commercial development and l'uturc road right-of-way for the Mississippi River Bridge Crossing. The project will have small-lot single family lots, village row homes and court home (back-back) townhomes. The dc:vclot)cr has requested the project be processed as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). A Pill) allows the developer flexibility in laying out the site to mix building styles and better protect sensitive enviro~m~ental features. The city is also allowed to ask for additional amenities in a PUD in return for the flexibility afforded to the developer. ~l'hc development was considered at the October 6, 2005 Planning Commission meeting. The dt~vclopcr is proposing land dedication for a park in the location shown on the park and trail plan. Thc land dedication will not satisfy the full park dedication so there would be a cash c(mtt'ibution to fulfill the remainder of the requirement. The project adjoins an existing 1 acre l(~t subdivision. Density transition is necessary. Density transitio~ting can be hills and swales; wetlands, lakes,rivers and streams; county and state highways or a 300 fi undeveloped natural ;~'e:t tha~t will not be eligible for future development. The transitioning can also be ac c()ml)ination of common ownership land with vegetation and berms. The developer is proposing three (3) rows of vegetation which does not meet the full requirements of the density tl';msition ordinance. The planning commission suggested moving the park to adjoin the cxisti~g subdivision to move the new homes away from the existing homes and help meet the density traasition requirements. , TI}e ()utline of the proposed park land is irregular. Staff recommended in the Planning '.t>mmission letter that the outlines be changed to be more regular. Staff envisioned amenities this park include a full size soccer field, a full size softball field (300 ft outfield), a pl~tyground, a shelter/restrooms and parking. The fields must be laid out to allow si~m~Itancous use. The applicant must demonstrate that the proposed land dedication will l'acilitatc these improvements.