Recommend Park Dedication for Brookfield 4th Addition.

Approximately 9 years ago the first phases of the Brookfield Addition were platted west of Nowthen Boulevard and south of Trott Brook in the north-center of Ramsey.  Presently, a different developer is proceeding with the platting of 77 lots known as the Brookfield 4th Addition within the areas of the existing plat (26.8 acre Outlot A, Brookfield 3rd Addition).  (See attached site location map.)
 
Park Dedication and Trail Fees for the original plat was satisfied by the construction of an approximate 3/4 mile of bituminous trail paralleling the brook and another north/south trail adjacent to Nowthen Boulevard, extending beyond the plat, south to 167 Avenue.

The purpose of this case is to recommend to City Council Park Dedication and Trail Fees for the proposed Brookfield 4th Addition. 




Note:  Important details not included in this case are contained within the October 3rd, 2013 Planning Commission's agenda pertaining to Brookfield 4th Addition.

 

Park Dedication
To satisfy the Park Dedication requirement, Staff is recommending a cash contribution.  Pursuant to past planning for this area, and consistent with the Master Park and Trail Plan, no additional park land is required in this area south of Trott Brook. There are however, two important strategies planned for meeting the recreational needs of existing residents and future inhabitants of Brookfield 4th Addition; one of which is a trail connection from the existing trail in Brookfield, west to Variolite Street (and north of Central Park).  The other would be a future community park in north-central Ramsey, likely north of the brook and in the vicinity of the Brookfield Addition(s).

On the trail connection above, this may be a near-term reality by virtue of the platting of Brookfield 4th Addition in two respects. The first is that the present* value of the platting of 77 lots represents $190,575 in cash Park Dedication.  The Commission may make effective recommendation to City Council that these proceeds be held within the Park Trust Fund for the purpose of constructing the Trott Brook Trail from Brookfield to Variolite when a trail route (easement) is secured and full funding is available.

The second aspect of of a near-term opportunity to construct the above trail is that 21st Century Bank owns the land west of the proposed Brookfield 4th Addition, and has conceptually agreed to convey necessary trail easements to ultimately provide for the construction of this portion of the Trott Brook Trail (pending full funding).  Discussions with the bank, developer and staff have acknowledged that if this trail easement is in place, staff may apply for a DNR trail grant as soon as 2014 to potentially bring an additional $100,000 in needed external funding to this proposed extension of the Trott Brook Trail.

The preliminary estimate for the extension of the Trott Brook Trail is a range of $300,000 to $400,000 for the boardwalk segments and $45,000 to $55,000 for those areas of the trail that can be constructed of bituminous.  Attached is an exhibit that shows the approximate route westerly to Variolite Street.


Trail Fees
Relative to Trail Fees, staff is recommending a cash contribution (present* value) of $46,200. These funds could also be directed to the Trott Brook Trail from the Brookfield area to Variolite Street after one connecting link may be established within the existing plat (Brookfield 3rd Addition) and is shown on the attachment entitled 'Trott Brook Trail to 170 St Trail'.  As in the instance with the trail easement mentioned above, 21st Century Bank has verbally agreed to convey fee-title this outlot to the city (the outlot already has drainage and utility easement encumbrances upon it).  The estimated construction cost of this short connecting trail segment is $6,000.




*Park Dedication and Trail Development Fees are collected at the time the Final Plat is recorded, at the rate in effect when the plat is recorded. The Park Dedication and Trail Fee amounts referenced in this case are at rates presently within City Council approved Rates and Charges.


 

Staff recommends that Park Dedication and Trail Fees are satisfied by cash payment at the time of Final Plat Recording, and that the Development Agreement include an Exhibit consisting of a Letter, or Memorandum of Understanding that 21st Century Bank shall convey to the City, a trail easement from a publicly accessible point within Brookfield 3rd Addition, generally westward to the City Trail Corridor adjoining 21st Century Bank's holdings, for the purpose of future construction of the Trott Brook Trail. 

And,

That the Development Agreement shall include that Park Dedication and Trail Fee proceeds from the Brookfield 4th Addition will be applied to the Trott Brook Trail, with the City applying for grant funds to supplement the Park Dedication and Trail Fee 'gap' in funding for the Trott Brook Trail west of the Brookfield Addition(s).

Motion to recommend to City Council, that, Park Dedication and Trail Fees are satisfied by cash payment at the time of Final Plat Recording, and that the Development Agreement include an Exhibit consisting of a Letter, or Memorandum of Understanding that 21st Century Bank shall convey to the City, a trail easement from a publicly accessible point within Brookfield 3rd Addition, generally westward to the City Trail Corridor adjoining 21st Century Bank's holdings, for the purpose of future construction of the Trott Brook Trail.

And,

That the Development Agreement shall include that Park Dedication and Trail Fee proceeds from the Brookfield 4th Addition will be applied to the Trott Brook Trail, with the City applying for grant funds to supplement the Park Dedication and Trail Fee 'gap' in funding for the Trott Brook Trail west of the Brookfield Addition(s).