2-June 2015 Workshop PacketADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION
Monday, June 15, 2015
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Eagan Municipal Center,
Second Floor Conference Room
Workshop Agenda
I. Development Review Overview - Mike Ridley, City Planner
II. Park Plan Update – Project Scope
III. Discussion of Commission Structure
IV. Tentative APrC Meeting Calendar
The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services,
activities, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex,
disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids
for disabled persons wishing to participate are available upon request at least 96 hours in advance of the
event. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City will attempt to provide the aids.
Next Advisory Parks Commission
Monday July 20, 2015 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
TO: Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission (APrC)
FROM: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE: June 11, 2015
SUBJECT: Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
June 15, 2015
A meeting of the Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission (APrC) will take place on Monday, June 15th at
6:00 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room. Please contact Juli Seydell Johnson at (651) 675-5006 or
jsjohnson@cityofeagan.com or Amy Grannes (651) 675-5322 agrannes@cityofeagan.com if you are unable to
attend this meeting.
I. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW OVERVIEW
Mike Ridley our City Planner will give an over of the Development Process to the Commission.
Included in the packet are pages from the APrC manual for your reference regarding roles and tools of
the Park Commissioner (Pages 2-14).
II. PARK PLAN UPDATE – PROJECT SCOPE
III. DISCUSSION OF COMMISSION STRUCTURE
A. Vice Chair Peterson presented to the Commission with a request to increase member training and
establish subcommittees at the May 18th workshop. She has provided a written outline of her
request which is included in this packet (Pages 15-17).
B. The City Attorney provided direction to the Commission on the subject of establishing
subcommittees. This memo is included with this packet (Pages 18-19). Commission must ask the
City Council to formally establish subcommittees and all workgroups of Commissions must follow
Open Meeting Rules.
C. Some options the Commission may wish to consider:
• Requesting that the City Council formally establish subcommittees.
• Adding additional “training” session to Commission workshops to systematically address
each area of Commission review (Development, Water Quality, Tree Preservation, Park
Dedication, Trail Dedication, and Recreation Programming)
• Requesting staff to create a more comprehensive manual for Commission Members to
address training/review areas.
IV. TENTATIVE APrC MEETING CALENDAR
Review the tentative APrC meeting calendar included in this packet (Page 20).
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 1
Role and Tools of the Parks Commissioner
Welcome to the Parks Commission! To aid you as you begin your
work as a Commissioner, you may find this compilation helpful.
It is meant to introduce you to the fundamentals of your position
of community representative, and provide you with a “crash
course” on being a Parks Commissioner.
The role of the Advisory Parks Commission (APrC) is advisory.
The APrC reviews issues relative to parks, recreation, forestry
and water quality. The issues may be generated by the public,
Departmental staff or as assigned by the City Council. When
necessary, recommendations are made to the City Council, who
has final say over all City related matters, especially policy
development and funds allocation.
Some of the most common issues the APrC is asked to review include;
Park Dedications in
Developments
Trail Dedications in
Developments
Wetland Mitigation in
Developments
Development Adherence to the Tree
Preservation Ordinance
CIP- the Capital Improvements Plan
New Parks/ Recreation Opportunities
Park Master Plans
Citizen/group requests
The primary tools the APrC uses to accomplish their task are:
Park System Plan- Developed in 1995, the Park Systems Plan details the existing conditions of the
parks system at the time, future community needs and suggested development and strategies.
Packet Materials- Each month, staff prepares a packet of background materials to prepare the
commissioner for the meeting. This packet includes an agenda, an overview of items under
discussion (including alternatives for the Commission to consider, and minutes from the previous
meeting. Occasionally extra informational items will be distributed at the meeting.
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 2
Things that Lie Outside the APrC’s Scope of Duties
While it is important to review what the APrC does, it is also important
to understand the things that lie outside your scope of duties,
particularly when reviewing development proposals. These issues may
have an impact on a decision, helping to put the proposed
development in context, but are in the realm of another department or
commission for resolution. The APrC focuses on parks and trail
dedication, water quality issues (as opposed to stormwater drainage),
and tree preservation.
During development review, the APrC is not responsible for providing
recommendations or comments to City Council about:
Issue Responsible Division
Density Planning, Advisory Planning Commission (APC)
Street Placement Engineering, Planning, APC
Stormwater drainage Engineering, Planning, APC
Lot lines, street frontage Planning, APC
Land Use Planning, APC
Zoning APC
Sewer and Water Engineering, Planning, APC
Grading and Fill Engineering, Planning, APC
Airport Noise Administration, Airports Commission
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 3
Planning Definitions
To help Council form their decisions about a developer’s preliminary plat, the Advisory Parks Commission is
asked to review development proposals for issues pertaining to parks dedication, trails dedication, water
quality and wetlands, and adherence to the tree preservation ordinance. Staff reports offer the fundamentals
on proposed developments to provide the Parks Commission a Planning division context on which to make
their decision about park and trail dedications, tree preservation, and water quality. Some common terms that
may appear in a planning report include;
Amendments
Amendments can be made to one or all of the following:
Zoning ordinance, text
Zoning ordinance, map
Comprehensive Guide Plan.
All amendments must conform to the Comprehensive Guide Plan. The Plan supercedes the Ordinance.
Conditional Use
Permit
Special circumstances pertaining to a locations or use in a certain zoning designation may be conditionally
permitted by City Council, so long as the conditions are reasonable and practical. Conditional use permits run
with the land, not with the owner.
Easement Restricts the use of certain portions of a parcel, usually for access to utilities, trails, or to conserve a natural
resource. The fee title to the property remains with whoever owns the property.
Non-Conforming
Use
Use of the land that does not comply with the current land use regulations of the Zoning Ordinance, i.e., bulk,
height, or density. Can be “grandfathered” in if the use predates the zoning ordinance, and if the use was legal
prior to the implementation of the zoning ordinance. The non-conforming use may not convert to a more
intense use, or allow structural enlargements.
PUD- Planned
Unit
Development
Allows for mixed use development to maximize potential of the land. It allows for a variety of densities and
variances.
Shoreland
Overlay Zone
Different densities apply in these areas, which allow for special regulations that enhance the protection of
shorelands and public waters, limiting use, lot size and type, water supply and waste tr eatment methods,
grading and fill, vegetation management, and subdivision.
Variance
Variances are limited to bulk, height, and density, one of the most common being setbacks. They are granted if
the literal provisions of the Zoning Ordinance would create a hardship. Hardships are defined by state statute
as:
Circumstances that do not allow reasonable use of the property
Not created by the landowner
Plight of the landowner is unique to the property
The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential ch aracter of the locality
Economic hardship along shall not constitute a hardship if reasonable use of the property exists under the
ordinance.
Zoning
Designations
A Agricultural
BP Business Park
CSC Community Shopping Center
E Estate
FP Flood Plain
GB General Business
I-1 Limited Industrial
LB Limited Business
NB Neighborhood Business
P Public Facility/ Institutional, i.e. churches, Caponi Art Park, shown in darker green
P Park, City or County owned parks shown in light green
PD Planned Development
R-1 Residential Single Family
R-2 Residential Double
R-3 Residential Townhouse
R-4 Residential Multiple, i.e. apartments, senior independent living
RB Roadside Business
RD Research and Development
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 4
Parks Definitions
CIP Capital Improvements Plan- The Capital Improvements Plan is a guideline for projects funded from the Park Site
Fund. It delineates potential project costs and what year the project might be undertaken.
Conservation
Easement
Conservation Easement: (definition by the Vermont Land Trust) A conservation easement is a type of land deed, a
legal document officially entitled "Grant of Development Rights, Conservation Restrictions, and Right of First
Refusal."
A conservation easement specifically states how much, if any, future residential or commercial development can
occur on a property. It also places restrictions on the future uses of a property’s natural resources (i.e. farmland ,
woodland, water, wetlands, and/or wildlife habitats) by describing what uses are permitted and what uses are
prohibited. The term conservation restriction is frequently used instead of conservation easement to describe the
legal document that conveys development rights.
Eagan Core
Greenway
Eagan Core Greenway- The Eagan Core Greenway is a conglomerate of mostly undeveloped, contiguous parcels
of green space as defined by City Council. The “Eagan Core Greenway” has essentially become a colloquialism
referring to the woodland and native ground cover acreage found in Patrick Eagan Park and several parcels in
proximity to the park; specifically acreage owned by Patrick McCarthy, Lee and Laurel Anderson, and Tony Caponi
(specifically Caponi Art Park), and City-owned Barbara Curry Park and Windcrest Park. The core greenway can
constitute both private and public property.
Eagan Greenway
Corridor
Eagan Greenway Corridor- A contiguous resource base of undisturbed natural elements enhancing, buffering, and
in some cases connecting areas of undeveloped, semi-natural, or non-impervious ground cover. The greenway
corridor can be privately or publicly owned. The corridor is not defined by property, but by resource.
Examples of segments enhancing the greenway corridor include athletic fields, prairie acreage, woodlands,
undeveloped acreage of public right-of-way, and park with maintained but not developed grassy areas, a
homeowner’s back yard with no buildings or paved surfaces.
The Eagan Greenway Corridor was delineated by the Dakota County SWCD in 2003. Project methodology was to
refine data of the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCSS) to a ¼ acre polygon level. These
polygons indicate clusters of predominant land cover. When refined, areas of natural resource connectivity were
revealed, creating the Eagan Greenway Corridor
Green Space
The Design Center for American Urban Landscape (DCAUL) has researched and prepared a report on green
space, including a definition of the term. It is important to note while the DCAUL definition defines green space, it
does not delineate specific uses within these segments.
DCAUL defines Green Space as “an outdoor setting that contain(s) a significant amount of vegetation.” This
definition applies to land segments in urbanized and rural settings. DCAUL notes green space is an umbrella
term, describing a great many types of properties. Some of the property types delineated as green space can be
seen in the attachment.
DCAUL states the classification of green space should meet certain requirements (the following items are found
in DCAUL Design Brief #2, The Diversity of Green Spaces (August, 2003)) : it should extend beyond traditional
park definitions to be more inclusive of the variety of green space in the urban environment;
Be sensitive enough to reveal attributes that would indicate benefits to the physical environment as well as social
benefits;
Be inclusive of potential as well as existing green areas;
Have spatial dimensions that can be mapped with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) computer-based
systems.
Open Space
For purposes of City-wide continuity, the term is defined as natural or semi-natural areas without permanent
structures, impervious surfaces or amenities. Public open space can be heavily wooded, prairie lands, groomed
fields, wetlands, water surfaces (which distinguishes from Green Space) or other mostly undisturbed areas. Open
space can be maintained grasses.
For example, a golf course with its highly maintained turf areas is often referred to as “valuable open space.”
While golf courses are referred to as open space their obvious use is for golf. The term ‘open space’ gives a
general aesthetic concept, but does not define specific use of the property, much like the term “Mini-park” does
not specify the specific amenities in each park.
Open space may be predominantly natural and undisturbed such as woodlands or prairie, or contain easily
reversible elements such as trails or buried utility lines. Public open space is owned by a publi c entity for public
use. Private open space may retain the same type of natural features, but is not open for public use.
Parks may be open space, but not all open space is parkland; for example, a 200 foot right-of-way setback may
be considered open space, but does not qualify as a park. Conversely, not every acre in a park may be
considered open space. While a ball field may qualify as open space, the area that contains a paved rink, a
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 5
warming house, and landscaped playground area would be considered “developed,” and would not qualify as
open space.
Park Site Fund
The Park Site Fund is derived from developer’s fees, generally payment in lieu of a land parks dedication. These
funds can only be used for new park development; they may not be used for maintenance of existing sites or
operational costs.
Parks Dedication/
Trail Dedication
When a subdivision development is proposed, the City requires the developer to either dedicate land for parks
purposes, or contribute funds for park development (see Park Site Fund). There is a standard formula for
determining how much land or how much money is to be dedicated, calculated by staff prior to the APrC
meetings.
Trails dedication serve essentially the same purpose but are calculated differently. These dedications are used to
serve the transportation trail system, connections to parks, or internal park trails.
Reserve and
Preserve
Although the City of Eagan does not hold any Preserve or Reserve areas, the definition may be helpful in
discussion of natural resource preservation techniques. Reserves and Preserves are management -specific terms
that delineate acreage of undisturbed natural resource cover, much like “Open Space.” Preserve or Reserve
areas typically establish a restriction on the percentage of property that may be maintained or groomed, often
allowing no more than 20% of the acreage to be developed.
WMO Wetland Management Organization. The local branch of this group monitors and evaluates water quality issues
in the Gun Club Lake Watershed District.
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 6
Park Classification System
Parks have distinct characteristics that create a sense of place for the visitor, identity for its target
demographic, and give communities a place to play or relax. Parks generally conform to a hierarchy of
categories, according to size, use, level of development, and location. The primary categories for park
classification in Eagan are defined in the 1995 Park System Plan and described in the following table.
Component Use Service Area Site Size Location Examples
Neighborhood
Common (public or
private)
Areas not adequately
serviced by
neighborhood parks
1/4 mile preferred,
maximum 3/8 to 1/2
mile radius
Min. 1 ac.;
Max. 9 ac.
Neighborhoods
dominated by
multifamily dwellings
or commercial
Cinnamon Ridge
Neighborhood Park
Provide recreation
and open space to
residential areas
1/2 mile to 3/4 mile
service radius with
balanced geographic
distribution
Min: 10 ac
Max: 18 ac
Equally distributed
within residential
areas, centrally
located for
neighborhood access
Bridle Ridge
Captain Dodd
Cedar Pond
Highview
Community Athletic
Field
Provide active
athletic facilities to
community
Communitywide Min: 20 ac
Max: 60 ac
Central with
community
accessible via
collector or minor
arterial roadways.
Lexington/Diffley
Goat Hill
Thresher Fields
Community Park
Community wide use,
festivals, events
Communitywide Min: 25 ac
50 to 100 ac
desirable
Central locations
employing attractive
natural and physical
features
Central Park
Blackhawk
Preserve/Greenway
Preserve
Protects significant
natural resources
and provides passive
recreational
opportunities
Communitywide Preserves need to be
adequate to protect
the designated
resource;
Greenway Preserves:
100 acres plus
desirable
Located according to
the resources
Barbara Curry
Patrick Eagan
Greenway Corridor
Provides natural
resource connections
for wildlife and
recreational use
between Greenway
Preserves
Communitywide Greenway Corridors
should be a
minimum of 10 yards
wide and wider if
possible. Some
connectors may be
on streets and trails
Location should be
feasible for
easement or
acquisition as long as
it meets the site
criteria and serves as
a main corridor or
connector to the
corridor.
Highline Trail
Wilderness Run
Special Use Park
Special facilities,
unique built
environment, single
purpose sites
Communitywide Varies by use Central access on
major roads
Cascade Bay, Civic
Arena, Community
Center
Historic Sites
Historical or cultural
significance
Communitywide Varies Community historical
sites that merit
attention and
preservation
Holz Farm
While the city may continue to use these terms, it’s likely that others will apply them more generically. It might
be more appropriate, when acquiring property, to indicate that the city intends the parcel to be identified as
“open space” and here is what we mean by that. And,
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 7
Capital Improvements Plan (CIP)
The preparation of a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is one of the most important responsibilities the APrC
has. The CIP becomes the “blueprint” for improvements to the park system. The CIP is funded primarily
through the Park Site Fund, which is derived from fees collected by developers during the subdivision process
as part of their Parks Dedication (the Parks Dedication policy is included in this packet).
Current Year Projects
The CIP is reviewed by the APrC each year, typically starting the process in a
series of workshops over January and February. The APrC brainstorms projects
to undertake in the current year, and assigns an estimated cost or placeholder
figure to them to be allotted from the Park Site Fund. These projects are
submitted to Council for final approval.
Future Project Projections
The second part of the CIP is a projection of
projects that could benefit the community in upcoming years, assigning a
possible date to it, up to five years in the future. This way projects stay on
their radar, even if they haven’t been formally given the “go ahead.” In the
past, projects that the APrC wants to be reminded of, but doesn’t quite fit in
to any year, have been put in a “parking lot” for re-evaluation at a later time.
Some projects are recurring, such as paving a hockey rink, replacing a tennis court, or replacing a playground
at a different park each year. The APrC will list these items on the CIP for each year, even if a park has not
been defined for the improvement.
Park Site Fund Balance Review
During the review process and several times during the year, the
balance of and projections for the Park Site Fund are reviewed. Income
is estimated, guessing what developer fees might come in each year and
how much interest the Fund may earn. The APrC can then monitor their
project projections to ensure it is somewhat in sync with the fund
balance. It is important to note that alternative income, such as grant
funds, donations, or other nontraditional sources may be applied to
projects listed on the Park Site Fund, so large-scale items that lie in the
Parking Lot may look to cost too much, but remain because of potential
“alternative” funding.
Special Allocations
Some money in the Park Site Fund is occasionally earmarked for specific types
of projects, such as land acquisition or small projects under $10,000. These
items are usually not strongly defined, i.e. which parcel will be purchased or
what projects fall under $10,000. It’s more of a place holder in case special
opportunities arise throughout the year that can not be anticipated during the
CIP process.
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 8
City of Eagan
Park Dedication Policy
2015
Policy adopting standards and guidelines for determining that portion of land being platted, subdivided or
developed which is to be contributed to the City in lieu of such conveyance or dedication, all as provided by
Section 13.20 of the City Code.
1.Purpose
The City Council recognizes it is essential to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Eagan
and persons working in Eagan, that the character and quality of the environment be considered to be
of major importance in the planning and development of the City. In this regard the manner in which
land is developed and used is of high priority. The preservation of land for park, playground and
public open space purposes as it relates to the use and development of land for residential,
commercial/industrial purposes is essential to maintaining a healthful and desirable environment for
all citizens of the City. The City must not only provide these necessary amenities for our citizens today,
but also be insightful to the needs of future citizens.
It is recognized by the City Council that the demand for park, playground and public open space within
a municipality is directly related to the density and intensity of development permitted and allowed
within any given area. Urban type developments mean greater numbers of people and higher
demands for park, playground and public open space. To disregard this principle is to inevitably over-
tax existing facilities and thus, diminish the quality of the environment for all.
The City's Park Systems Plan Study has established minimum community criteria for meeting the
needs of the residents of Eagan. In order to meet the community needs for parks and open space, 15
acres of park shall be required for each 1,000 residents of which 12 acres shall be designated as
neighborhood parks and as such used to determine cash dedication.
This shall be the standard upon which the City shall establish its parkland and parks cash dedication.
It is the policy of Eagan that the following standards and guidelines for the dedication of land for park,
playground, and public open space purposes (or cash contributions in lieu of such dedication) in the
subdividing and developing of land within the city shall be directly related to the density and intensity
of each subdivision and development.
2.Residential Parkland Dedication
The amount of land to be dedicated by a developer shall be based on the gross area of the proposed
subdivision, proposed type of dwelling unit and density. Census data for 2006 of 3.22 residents for
single family, 3.22 for duplex, 2.06 for townhouse/quad. and 1.78 for apartments has been used as
density standards for formulating calculations in meeting the criteria of park needs of Eagan
residents.
The formula for land dedication:
The greater of 1) proposed unit per acre 2) zones density.
Dwelling Units Land to be Dedicated
0 - 1.9 units per acre 8%
1.9 - 3.5 units per acre 10%
3.5 - 5.9 units per acre 12%
6 - 10 units per acre 14%
10+ units per acre Add .5% for each unit over 10
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 9
3.Standards for accepting Dedication of Land for Public Park Purposes
A. Land proposed to be dedicated for public purposes shall meet identified needs of the City as
contained in the current Park Systems Plan and Comprehensive Guide Plan.
B. Prior to dedication for public purpose, the subdivider shall deliver to the City Attorney, an
abstract of title or registered property abstract for such dedication. Such title shall vest in the
City good and marketable title, free and clear of any mortgages, liens, encumbrances,
assessments and taxes. The conveyance documents shall be in such form acceptable to the
City.
C. The required dedication and/or payment of fees-in-lieu of land dedication shall be made at
time of final plat approval.
D. The removal of trees, topsoil, storage of construction equipment, burying of construction
debris, or stockpiling of surplus is strictly forbidden without the written approval of the Director
of Parks and Recreation.
E. Grading and utility plans, which may affect or impact the proposed park dedication, shall be
reviewed and approved by the Parks and Recreation Director prior to dedication, or at such
time as reasonably determined.
F. To be eligible for park dedication credit, land dedicated is to be located outside of drainways,
flood plains or ponding area. Grades exceeding 12% or unsuitable for parks development
shall be considered for partial dedication.
Where ponding has been determined to have a park function, credit will be given at a rate of
50% of the pond and adjoining land area below the high water level; a minimum of 70% of
land above the high water mark shall be dedicated before pond credit is granted. Other City
park dedication policies relating to pond dedication must also be complied with.
In those cases where subdivider's and developers of land provide significant amenities such
as, but not limited to swimming pools, tennis courts, handball fields, etc, within the
development for the benefit of those residing or working therein, and where, in the judgment
of the Director of Parks and Recreation, such amenities significantly reduce the demands for
public recreational facilities to serve the development, the Director of Parks and Recreation
may recommend to the Advisory Parks Commission that the amount of land to be dedicated
for park, playground and public open area space (or cash contributions in lieu of such
dedication) be reduced by an amount not to exceed 25% of the amount calculated under
paragraph 2 above.
G. The City, upon review, may determine that the developer shall create and maintain some form
of on-site recreation use by the site residents such as tot lots and open play space. This
requirement may be in addition to the land or cash dedication requirement.
4.Cash Dedication
If, at the option of the City it is determined that a cash dedication shall be made, said cash shall be
placed in a special fund for Parks and Recreation use and deposited by the developer with the City
prior to final plat approval.
The City Council, upon review and recommendation of the Advisory Parks Commission, shall annually
determine by resolution the park cash dedication fee per residential unit. Said fee shall be
determined by the average market value of undeveloped residential property by zoning classification,
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 10
served by major City utilities, divided by the number of units per acre which shall provide the
equivalency of twelve acres per thousand population.
Said cash dedication, effective January 1, 2015 shall be:
Units Per
Housing Type Average Market Value 100 Population
Single Family $ 85,474 per acre 29.8
Cash Equivalent Per
Residential Unit
$3,407
Duplex $ 84,157 per acre 30
Townhouse/Quad $141,262 per acre 50.8
Apts/Multiple $149,893per acre 55.8
$3,356
$3,562
$3,308
Cash dedication shall be determined/ computed at the rate in effect at the time of final plat.
5.Industrial/Commercial Dedication Requirements
Subdivider's and developers of commercial/industrial land, including commercial/industrial portions
of Planned Developments, shall be required at the time the site plan is approved and building permits
are issued to dedicate to the City for park, playground and public open space purposes, a net land
area within the development as determined by the City.
In those cases where the City does not require park or open space within such developments, the City
shall require payment of fees in lieu of such land dedication using the formula outlined below or such
amount as determined by the City Council. Said cash dedication, effective January 1, 2015 shall be:
Commercial
Industrial
$895 per 1000 square feet of building
$243 per 1000 square feet of building
The calculation is based upon a number of factors including;
1.The average number of persons/employees per 1000 square feet of building
Industrial = 1 person per 1000 square feet
Commercial (& office) = 3 persons per 1000 square feet
2.A “person (resident) equivalency” which assumes that a person working at the building may be
a non-resident and therefore demand or require fewer park services as compared to a
resident. Use of park and recreational facilities/services may be limited to occasional trail use,
picnicking and employee ball games.
Equivalency = .25 (1/4)
3.A land factor that estimates, per person, the amount of park land needed to achieve the level
of park service established by the City.
Standard = .012 acres per person (Based upon the current Eagan standard of providing
12 acres per 1000 residents = .012 acres per person)
4. The value of the undeveloped land. Value established by the County for tax purposes. Cash
shall be contributed at the time of approval of each final plat or at the time of site
plan/building permit approval.
The fee dedication requirement for all commercial/industrial plats which have received site
plan approval prior to January 1, 1983, but have not been issued building permit, approval
from the City shall be in an amount equal to $2,697 per net acre for commercial and
industrial which shall be contributed at the time of building permit approval. A credit of up to
25% of the required dedication may be allowed by the City Council for on-site storm sewer,
water, ponding and settling basins provided that such improvements benefit identifiable park
and recreation
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 11
water resources.
The City Council, upon review and recommendation of the Advisory Parks Commission, may
annually review and determine by resolution, an adjustment to the industrial/commercial fee
based upon the City's estimate of the average value of undeveloped commercial/industrial
land in the City.
6.Required Improvements
Developers shall be responsible for making certain improvements to their developments for park,
playground and public open space purposes as follows:
A. Provide finished grading and ground cover for all park, playground, trail and public open
spaces within their development as part of their development contract or site plan approval
responsibilities. Landscape screening shall be in accordance with City Policy.
B. Establish park boundary corners for the purpose of erecting park limit signs. The developer
shall contact the appropriate Parks and Recreation Department personnel for the purpose of
identifying park property corners.
C.Provide sufficient public road access of no less than 300 feet for neighborhood parks and
additional frontage for community parks.
7.Authority
The State of Minnesota has recognized the importance of providing for parks and open space in
M.S.A. 462.358, Subdivision 2 (b) which clearly gives the right to cities in its subdivisions regulations
to require reasonable portions for public use. The City of Eagan has, by this dedication policy, chosen
to exercise this right in establishing minimum requirements for meeting the public needs.
Advisory Parks Commission Workshop June 15, 2015 Page 12
City of Eagan
Trail Dedication Policy
2015
Policy adopting standards and guidelines for determining that portion of land being platted, subdivided or
developed which is to be conveyed or dedicated to the public for trail purposes or with respect to which cash
is to be contributed to the City in lieu of such conveyance or dedication, all as provided by Section 13.20 of
the City Code.
1.Purpose
The City Council recognizes that in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the residents
of Eagan, a standard be adopted to complete the Park Trail as set forth in the Eagan Comprehensive
Guide Plan. The Eagan trail system is designed to provide links between the various points of interest
and public facilities which exist and are planned within the community. To more adequately assure
the timeliness and priority of the completion of segments of the trail system, the Council has resolved
that as a prerequisite to plat approval, subdividers shall dedicate land for trails and/or shall make
cash contributions to the City's park trail fund as provided by this section.
2.Trail Land Dedication Requirements
A. Land to be dedicated shall be reasonably suited for its intended use and shall be at a location
identified upon the City of Eagan's Trail Plan.
B. The Advisory Parks Commission shall recommend to the City Council the trail land dedication
and/or cash contribution requirements for proposed subdivision.
C. Changes in density of plats shall be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Commission for reconsideration of trail land dedication and cash contribution requirements.
D. When a proposed trail has been indicated in the City's official map or Comprehensive Plan,
and it is located in whole or in part within the proposed plat, it shall be designated as such on
the plat and shall be dedicated to the City of Eagan. If the subdivider elects not to dedicate an
area in excess of the land required herein under for such a proposed trail, the City may
consider acquiring the trail land through purchase or condemnation.
E. Land area conveyed or dedicated to the City shall not be used in calculated density
requirements of the City zoning ordinance.
3.Cash Dedication
A. In lieu of trail land dedication as set forth on the City's Trail Plan, the City may require the
following case donations:
Residential Dwelling Units $250 per dwelling unit
Commercial/Industrial/ Public Facility $1,251/net acre
B. The city may elect to receive a combination of cash and land for trail use. The fair market
value of the land the City requires for its trail system shall be subtracted from the cash
contribution requirement set forth in paragraph 3(a). The remainder shall be cash a
contribution requirement.
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C. The fair market value shall be determined as of the time of preliminary plat approval in
accordance with the following:
1.The City and the developer may agree as to the fair market value; or
2.The fair market value may be based upon a current appraisal submitted to the City by
the subdivider at the subdivider's expense. The appraisal shall be made by appraisers
who are approved members of the MAI or equivalent real estate appraisal societies.
3.If the City disputes such appraisal, the City may, at the subdividers expense, obtain a
second appraisal of the property by an appraiser who is a member of the MAI or
equivalent real estate appraisal societies. The second appraisal shall be conclusive
evidence of the fair market value of the land.
D. Planned Developments with mixed land uses shall make cash and/or trail land contributions in
accordance with this section based upon the percentage of land devoted to the various uses.
E. Cash for trail contributors are to be calculated at the time of final plat approval. With respect
to a cash dedication for residential units, payment shall be required prior to the City releasing
the final plat for recording purposes. With respect to commercial/industrial/public facility
property, payment for the cash dedication shall be made at the time of the application for the
building permit.
F. Cash contributions for the trail dedication shall be deposited in the City's Park and Recreation
Trail Development Fund and shall only be used for trail planning, acquisition or development.
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WORKSHOP ITEM: IV – Tentative APrC Meeting Calendar
TO: Advisory Parks Commission
PREPARED BY: Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation
Advisory Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission Tentative Schedule
July 20, 2015 Park & Trail Dedication – Paul Olson, Superintendent of Parks
Park Tours
Park Plan Check-In – Demographics & Facility Numbers
September 14, 2015 Water Quality/Wetlands Training – Eric Macbeth, Water Resources Manager
Park Plan Check-In – Park Facility Sites, Athletic Fields/Facilities
Begin CIP Project Review
November 16, 2015 Tree Preservation Training/City Forester Report – Gregg Hove, City Forester
Finalize Park Plan Update
Finalize CIP 2016 Requests
Recommend Park & Trail Dedication fee for 2016
January 14, 2016 Recreation Programming Training/Programming Report
March 21, 2016 Enterprise Facility Training/Facility Report
MEMO
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