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<br />it is likely a positive to the people that do not live on the trail and to the overall community that <br />will use it. There will be substantially less expensive homes backing up to Trott Brook; the trail <br />reduces their value significantly. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated there are two issues at hand; one is the trail and one is the <br />conservation easement. He requested Mr. Peterson to comment on the conservation easement if <br />the trail were not in this location. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied that would not be objectionable. In his opinion the buyers are having <br />trouble with the public access. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig requested clarification that the conservation easement may boost the value <br />of the homes, but the trail running through is a negative. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied yes. There is one other conservation easement in the City where they were <br />obligated to leave the trees; none of them would have a problem with that restriction in their <br />back yard. The conservation easement is not an issue. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look asked Mr. Peterson to comment on how he might be impacted if he were <br />not compensated for a conservation easement. He explained with the current mapping, <br />landowners selling their property to a person such as Mr. Peterson will have a 30 foot buffer that <br />is not paid for by the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied requiring a 30 foot, 10 foot, or 50 foot easement around a wetland complex <br />is becoming a standard in his industry, not just in Ramsey, but throughout the metro area. In the <br />development community they are willing to concede and acknowledge that buffers to protect. <br />wetlands are good and are necessary. However, he would probably argue that 30 feet is a pretty <br />significant taking and would have a little trouble with that. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look asked if the buffer impacts the evaluation of the property value when Mr. <br />Peterson purchases it from the landowner. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied one of the primary factors in determining value is density. A buffer reduces <br />the density, which would have to be factored into the evaluation. To a property owner that is <br />going to sell, if they own 40 acres with a nice wetland in the middle, he will take that into <br />consideration, and it will mean in his opinion that the land is worth somewhat less. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig noted in this particular project there is a significant wetland buffer that <br />was able to be used as part of the density evaluation. He pointed out that a buffer in a 40 acre <br />development that could be used in the density calculations would technically not devalue the <br />property. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied he thinks it would be important that the buffer be counted towards the <br />density calculation. If you do not allow density for that the City is really taking this land. <br /> <br />City Council / May 8, 2007 <br />Page 6 of 13 <br />