3.9. SR 05-19-2008REQUEST FOR ACTION
To Item Number
City Council 3.9.
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Consent Ma 19, 2008 Loxi ohnson, Ci Administrator
Item Description Reviewed by
'Trunk Highway 169 Improvement Impact on Baldwin Park
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Acknowledge and allow impact of future Tnmk Highway 169 on Baldwin Paxk.
Background/Discussion
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has requested that the City respond to the possible impact
on Baldwin Paxk when future improvements axe made to Trunk Highway 169 in order to continue with
finalizuig plans fox the improvements. As stated in the attached letter, this is a small neighborhood park
with few amenities. The park was purchased by the City in 1992 when this then vacant parcel went tax
forfeit. If redevelopment occurs in the area, the park amenities would be relocated.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• Letter to Craig Robinson, MnDot Project Manager
Action Motion by Second by Voce
Follow Up
S:\Covncil\Loti\2008\Baldwin Pack.doc
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Craig Robinson
Mn/DOT Project Manager
FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
DATE: May 19, 2008
SUBJECT: TH 169 ELK RIVER TO ZIMMERMAN
SECTION 4(F) DETER.'~IINATION FOR BALDwIN PARK
As part of the proposed Trunk Highway (TH) 169 improvements through the City of Elk
River, Mn/DOT has determined that there is the potential fox impacts to Baldwin Paxk.
Based on the preliminary design, it is likely that the project will not need to acquire property
from Baldwin Paxk. 1'he proposed improvements to TH 169 in front of Baldwin Park axe
located entirely within the existing TH 169 right of way limits. A retaining wall has been
incorporated into the design along TH 169 to avoid acquisition of property from Baldwin
Park. Based on the preliminary construction limits, it is possible that the proposed TH 169
improvements would result in a temporary impact to the western edge of the property along
the TH 169 right of way limits.
In considering impacts to Baldwin Paxk, Mn/DOT has requested that the local officials with
jurisdiction over the park property detertnine its significance in the context of the parks and
recreation needs of the City of Elk River. The City of Elk River has made the determination
that Baldwin Park is not significant as a park ox recreation area and does not play a role in
meeting the objectives of the City of Elk River's Park Plan as described below.
Baldwin Paxk is a one acre neighborhood park located east of TH 169 north of Main Street
in the City of Elk River. It is publicly owned and is identified as a neighborhood park facility
in the City of Elk River's 2004 Comprehensive Plan and in the Paxk Comprehensive Plan
Map (updated February 2008). The park was purchased in 1992 when the then vacant parcel
went tax forfeit.
Baldwin Paxk currently functions as an active recreation space within the City's public park
system. It is identified as an informal neighborhood recreation space. Amenities include a
picnic table and limited playground equipment. There axe no planned improvements fox the
park. The City may consider options to relocate Baldwin Park to a new location in the
future when the improvements axe made or if redevelopment of the area occurs.
The City of Elk 1Zivex has identified the creation and maintenance of park, trail, and
recreational facilities that meet residents' needs within the community as a measurable
objective in the Master Paxk System Plan. The land for Baldwin Park was not purchased
with the intention that it would serve the community as a long-term park facility. As such,
Baldwin Park does not function to fulfill the City's identified objective of creating parks to
meet the needs of its residents and is not a significant park or recreation area.
In summary, at this time, we have concluded that Baldwin Park is not a significant
component of the City's public parks and recreation system. Therefore, the proposed TH
169 improvements through the City of Elk River do not involve the use of any significant
publicly-owned park ox recreation area that could be covered under Section 4(f) of the
USDOT Act of 1966, as amended.
Enclosare(s)
cc: Christina Berglund, SRF Consulting Group Inc.