HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.05.07 Discuss Open Space Preservation
@
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers /'
CC: Jim Dickinson, City Administrator
Will Neumeister, Community Developm
FROM: Courtney Bednarz, City Planne~
SUBJECT: Discuss Open Space Preservation - Planning
DATE: June 5, 2007 .
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum is intended to outline the next steps that are necessary to achieve the goal that
was presented to the voters last November.
DISCUSSION
Creation of an Open Space Advisory Commission
The city has opened an application period for this seven member advisory commission.
Not enough applications have been received to fin the commission. The Council may wish to
extend the application period or reduce the size of the commission. Once the application period
has closed the Council will need to schedule interviews and make appointments to this
commission.
Program Structure
Staff recommends the following approach to provide structure to the program and to aid in the
preparation of matching grant applications (which often seek documentation in the form of
official plans and ordinances).
Comprehensive Plan - This plan can establish goals and objectives as well as selection criteria
for open space land acquisition. Much of this language exists in the present Comprehensive Plan
and can easily be updated to reflect the language of the bond referendum. A solid foundation can
be provided for the program by including an open space component in the Comprehensive Plan.
Ordinance or Officially Adopted Policy Document -These are two options to
provide a structure to the program by establishing the following:
1. An open space advisory commission and their responsibilities
2. The types of property that are eligible for consideration
3. The selection process
4. The method of land valuation and acquisition,
5. Standard conServation easement requirements
6. A process for ongoing monitoring of the land and program in general.
Application forms - a standard application form can be created to provide a format for properties
to describe how the unique features of each site conform to the selection criteria established in
the Comprehensive Plan. The application can be used as a tool for consideration of properties
through the review process.
OTHER DISCUSSION ITEMS
Resource Inventory
It is recommended that an evaluation of the city as a whole be conducted to determine where
natural areas are located relative to parks, trails, floodplain and wetland areas. In this manner a
comprehensive view can be prepared, appropriate selection criteria can be established and
individual sites can be prioritized to maximize the impact of the program. This is also useful
documentation for grant applications.
DNR Grant Cycle
DNR grants are available to provide matching funds for open space preservation. Grant
applications are typically due at the end of March each year. Ideally, the city will be in a
position to apply for matching funds each time properties are selected for acquisition.
BLAINE AND WOODBURY SUMMARIES
Blaine Process
The City of Blaine passed a $5 Million bond referendum in 2000. The city passed a resolution
authorizing the advisory board described above. A natural resource inventory was conducted.
The board and Council created criteria for evaluating open space areas. The city created a
greenway corridor plan. This plan combined a general corridor map prepared by the Anoka
Conservation District and others with locations of threatened and endangered species from the
DNR and parks, trails and wetland information. Individual sites were evaluated based on the
established criteria and ranked accordingly. A letter was sent to property owners with ranked
parcels describing the quality of open space on their property as well as preservation techniques,
including conservation easements. The City has been reviewing applications from property
owners and negotiating with land developers to allow open space to be preserved since that time.
The advisory board makes recommendations for action concerning land acquisition and
environmental policy to the City Council, which will make final decisions.
Woodbury Process
Woodbury utilizes their Parks and Recreation Commission to review parcels for potential
acquisition based on 24 sites that were identified as a part of their 2005 bond referendum and 10
other sites offered for consideration by property owners. Woodbury's Park and Recreation
Commission recommended narrowing this list to ten priority sites. This recommendation was
subsequently approved by the Woodbury City CounciL Since that time Woodbury has purchased
several properties, with consideration of each site summarized by staff for recommendation by
the commission and approval by the Council.
ACTION REOUESTED
Tbe Council is asked to review the information and share any feedback they may have.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Bednarz