5.B. PRSR 03-11-1998 _b A( -4' '
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Ity of k/ MEMORANDUM
River TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: Steve Ach, City PlanneEdd_
DATE: March 11, 1998
SUBJECT: Consider Purchase of Land for
Park/Public Purpose
The owner of the subject property shown on the attached location maps has
been in contact with me over the last several months to discuss issues
relating to his property. He has been exploring some development
opportunities on the property, one of which would possibly include the
request for a rezoning to allow for some type of commercial use. Clearly, this
type of request would need a great deal of review and Planning Commission
and City Council support.
Recently, the property owner has asked if the City would be interested in
purchasing the property for park/public purposes. I informed the owner a
request would be provided to the Park & Recreation Commission to get some
feedback on whether the Commission would be interested in pursuing such
an offer. I have attached some exhibits which will help the Park &
Recreation Commission identify the site and its proximity to some of the new
residential areas, as well as County Road No. 1. The property is
approximately 5 acres in size, is vacant on the west half, has a wetland and
some woods on the east. The property sits below the bordering roads of
County Road No. 1 and Upland Avenue which is the access into Lafayette
Woods. 193rd Avenue right of way which exists on the north side of the
property is the corridor which will be converted to a trail connecting Proctor
and the City trail.
Obviously, if the Park & Recreation Commission is interested in including
this property as part of the inventory of park land, an appropriate market
value would have to be determined to purchase the property. The City
Council would also have to be informed and approve the purchases.
However, prior to proceeding along those lines, it is important to get a
consensus of the Park & Recreation Commission if they are at all interested
in pursuing this property.
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River,MN 55330 • TDD&Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
Memo/Park&Rec
March 11, 1998
Page 2
Recommendation
It is recommended the Park & Recreation Commission review the request
and determine if this piece of property will or will not fit into the overall park
plan needs of the community. If the Park & Recreation Commission feels as
though it might be a valuable piece to include, staff will proceed further in
talking with the property owner and explore more seriously the option to
obtain this piece of property by way of purchase or some other type of
transaction.
f:\shrdoc\council\park&rec\parkprop.doc