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Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that on February 1, 2000, the Planning Commission <br />recommended City Council approve the sketch plan for a 57-unit townhome development on <br />15.75 acres. The site is north of Industry Avenue and east of Dysprosium Street. Twenty-seven <br />of the townhomes would be "detached" and thirty would have a shared wall. The remaining 4.71 <br />acres will be developed as an apartment complex. The developer indicates that this may consist <br />of 150 to 180 units. Within the past year, the Park and Recreation Commission specifically <br />reviewed the site for park land dedication purposes. This was at the request of a neighboring <br />resident. The consensus of the Commission was that no additional park land was needed. The <br />Commission did agree that connections from this site to park destinations would be important. It <br />is staff's position that the existing parks in the vicinity will adequately serve the new 57 units. <br />As it relates to the proposed apartment building, some private open space may be required <br />similar to the private open space dedicated as part of the Sunfish Square townhome development. <br />It is also strongly recommended that an eight-foot walk be constructed adjacent to at least the <br />City streets proposed in the plat. <br /> <br />Chris Bulow, 9380 Napier Ave NE, Otsego, stated that he has no problems with installing the <br />recommended trails and paying the park dedication for the townhomes, but he did express <br />concerns in regards to park dedication for the apartments. He explained that an apartment <br />complex associates most of the same wording used in defining a commercial use and requested <br />that the Park Commission review the wording in City ordinance and consider park dedication <br />based on acreage rather than units in the apartment portion of the development only. Currently <br />he is not sure how many units there will be in the apartments or when they will be constructed, <br />but if he were required to pay park dedication on a per unit basis he would be paying $350,000 in <br />park dedication. <br /> <br />Chairperson Cook inquired if Mr. Bulow is not currently planning to construct the apartments. <br /> <br />Mr. Bulow replied that his intentions are to market the apartment site to find someone to <br />construct the apartments. <br /> <br />Commissioner Droegemueller inquired if the park dedication requirements address apartments. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos replied that currently apartments are required to pay the per unit <br />fee, but noted that some cities do have a separate park dedication rate for apartments. He <br />suggested that staff conduct a survey of neighboring cities on what their park dedication rates are <br />for multi-unit buildings and discuss the issue at the March Park Board meeting. <br /> <br />Chairperson Cook questioned if the City has ever dealt with apartments. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos replied that a 50 unit complex was constructed in the early <br />1980's and they were required to pay park dedication on a per unit basis. <br /> <br />Commissioner Rolfe questioned how sewer and water access charges compare between <br />apartments and industrial uses. <br /> <br />Park and Recreation Commission/February 10, 2000 <br /> Page 4 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />