Res 2003- 89 Ammending Res 91-94, Park Contribution FormulaCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 03-89
RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 91-941
ESTABLISHING A PARK CONTRIBUTION FORMULA
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights that
Resolution No. 91-94 be amended in its entirety to read as follows:
PARK DEDICATION FEE POLICY
Subdivision I
The City Council recognizes it is essential to the health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Mendota Heights that the character and quality of the environment be
considered to be of major importance to the planning and development of the City. In
this regard, the manner in which land is developed and used is of high priority. The
presevation of land for park, playground, and public open space purposes as it relates to
the use and development of land for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes is
essential to the maintaining of a healthful and desirable environment for all citizens of the
City. We must not only provide these amenities for our citizens today, we must also be
mindful of our future citizens.
It is recognized by the City Council that the demand for park, playground and public open
space within a municipality is directly related to the density and intensity of development
permitted and allowed within any given area. Urban -type developments mean greater
numbers of people and higher demands for park, playground and public open space. To
disregard this principle is to inevitably over -tax existing facilities and thus diminish the
quality of the environment for all.
It is the policy of the City of Mendota Heights that the following standards and guidelines
for the dedication of land for park, playground and open space purposes (or cash
contributions in lieu of such dedication) in the subdividing and developing of land within
the City shall be directly related to the density and intensity of each subdivision and
development.
Subdivision 2
The owners of land being subdivided shall dedicate to the City a reasonable portion of the
land for use as public parks, playgrounds, trails or open space. The reasonable portion
shall not be less than 10% of the total land in the proposed subdivision. The City may
determine the location and configuration of any land dedicated, taking into consideration
the suitability of the land for its intended purpose and future needs of the community for
park, playground, trail, or open space property. This paragraph shall apply to all
additional lots created through plats or subdivisions. It shall not apply to previously
existing lots that develop or redevelop without requiring a replat or fiuther subdivision.
Subdivision 3
At the City's option, the subdivider shall contribute an amount in cash, in lieu of all or a
portion of the land required under subdivision 1, according to the following fee
guidelines:
Single Family Residential
Townhomes/Duplexes/Condos
Apartments
Office/Industrial Property
Commercial
Subdivision 4
$4-500-2700 per dwelling unit
$00-2700 per dwelling unit
$4-508-2700 per dwelling unit
10% of current market value of the unimproved
land as determined by the County Assessor
10% of current market value of the unimproved
land as determined by the County Assessor
Prior to the dedication of the required property, the subdivider shall provide the City with
an acceptable title opinion or title insurance policy addressed to the City that insures the
title and the City's proposed interest in the property. In any dedication of required land,
the subdivider must transfer good and marketable title to the City, free and clear of any
mortgages, liens, encumbrances or assessments, except easements or minor imperfections
of title acceptable to the City. If this land is not formally dedicated to the City with the
final plat, the subdivider shall record all deeds of conveyance of the property to the City
at the same time as the final plat or other appropriate division documents.
Subdivision 5
At the City's option, the following properties shall not be accepted for purposes of the
owner's compliance with Subdivisions 1 or 2 of this Resolution:
a) Land dedicated or obtained as easements for storm water retention, drainage, roadway
and other utility purposes.
b) Land which is unusable or of limited use, and
c) Land that is protected wetlands/floodplain area.
Subdivision 6
Cash contributions for single-family residential development will be due and payable at
the time of final plat approval by the City. Cash contributions for multi -family
residential or commercial, office or industrial development will be due and payable at the
time of final plat approval by the City, or at the option of the City, all or a portion of
such. Payment may be deferred until building permits are issued at the option of the City.
Cash contributions for single-family residential developments will be based on the
number of new developable lots created and for multi -family residential developments
will be based on the number of units included in the complex. Cash contributions for
commercial, office and industrial developments will be based on the fair market value of
the gross area created as a result of the development.
Subdivision 7
Any cash contribution received pursuant to Subdivision 2 of this Section shall be placed
in a separate City fund and used only for park, playground, trail or open space purposes.
Subdivision 8
The City Council, at its discretion, may waive or reduce the requirements of this
Resolution when the subdivision includes a City -assisted development or redevelopment
area or achieves some other public purpose and the requirements would create a financial
hardship for the project.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 16th day of September,
2003.
ATTEST:
City Clerk Kathleen Swanson