Adopt Resolution #20-023 Authorizing Re-conveyance of Lot 1, Block 1, Autumn Heights 2nd Addition to State of Minnesota

 

Purpose:
To evaluate conditional use for Lot 1, Block 1, Autumn Heights 2nd Addition and determine if it should be conveyed back to the State of Minnesota (previous tax forfeit).

The City of Ramsey acquired the Property on June 28, 1991 as document number 175429 through a Conditional Use Deed. The conditional uses granted through the deed are a Fire Station or Recycling Center. The State is doing a 30 year check to see if the land is being used for that public purpose. If not, the land will be released from the deed restriction and reverted back to the State of Minnesota in 2021.  The Development Review Team met on January 14, 2020 to review the the proposed future use of the property. The Future Fire Station and Recycling Center were ruled out as potential uses.  Need for other uses such as park, storm water and Right of Way were also ruled out.  

The property is currently zoned B-1 but it appears better suited for infill single family residential development. Staff has researched city records and has found information regarding the potential future of this property. Staff has reviewed this item in the past as identified in the attached Property Profile. The property is described as "high and dry and ideal for development". The recommended action from this review was to return the land back to the state and to rezone for residential.

Secondarily, if this site is to be returned for development, Staff desires to ensure that the site is able to be developed, likely as a single-family home.  Preliminary review of the site does indicate that it would meet requirements for a single family home by staff will be sure to confirm before development and rezoning occurs.  The City should consider rezoning this site to a residential use.   

N/A

The City may pursue one of the following options:(language from State correspondence):

• Option # 1 Reconvey the property to the state of Minnesota. If the property has not been put to its authorized public use, the property must be re-conveyed to the state using PT Form 975. If only a portion of the land was used, you must reconvey the unused portion using PT Form 976. Both re-conveyance forms and instructions are available on our State Website. This is the staff recommended option.
   
• Option # 2 Purchase the property. If you want to keep the property but not use it for its authorized public use, you may purchase the property after re-conveying it to the state of Minnesota. The recommendation of the Development Review Committee is to re-convey this property to the State of Minnesota to be resold for private development and to become taxable.
   
• Option # 3 - New Conditional Use Deed Application.  Discussions with state officials provide for another option where the City would convey the property back to the state and request a different condition use deed for another public purpose. Based on review by the Development Review Committee, staff has determined that there are no other public purposes and that this option should not be pursued.

This action is being completed under normal staff duties.

Staff recommends Option # 1 Re-convey the property to the state of Minnesota. If the property has not been put to its authorized public use, the property must be re-conveyed to the state using PT Form 975. 

Motion to Adopt Resolution #20-023 Authorizing Re-conveyance of Lot 1, Block 1, Autumn Heights 2nd Addition to the State of Minnesota.