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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – December 9, 2015 3 Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed the language within the proposed Ordinance that applied to redevelopment projects and their associated park dedication requirements. Commissioner Holewa suggested that staff review the references to the “City” and the “City Council” within the Ordinance and whether these references should be consistent. Commissioner Holewa questioned whether the City could require private developers to provide public trail connections to regional trails not owned by the City. Commissioner Holewa inquired where a developer would be able to find information on the residential park development fee amount. Associate Planner Bachler noted that the park development fee would be included in the City’s Fee Schedule. The Fee Schedule is available on the City’s website. Commissioner Holewa suggested that the proposed Ordinance state where the park development fee has been adopted. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if there would be sufficient funding available to develop the neighborhood parks that will be dedicated on the TCAAP site. Associate Planner Bachler explained that developers would be charged a park development fee that could be used for capital improvements for the neighborhood parks on TCAAP. Community Development Director Hutmacher discussed how the City and its financial advisor completed an analysis to ensure that sufficient land would be set aside for parks, whether it was dedicated to the City by developers or had to be purchased using the fees charged in lieu of the park dedication requirement. She reported that the proposed Ordinance allows the City to require a developer to satisfy the park dedication requirement or pay the park development fee, or both of these, based on the City’s discretion. She added that staff has worked closely with the City Attorney on the language included in the Ordinance. Councilmember Holmes believed that the current language was slightly unclear and that staff should perhaps clarify if land or cash would be sought for residential developments. Community Development Director Hutmacher reiterated that the requirements for park dedication and park development fees would be at the City’s discretion. She described several different development scenarios and explained which request the City could make in each scenario. Commissioner Hames anticipated that developers would work through these issues with staff and would understand the proposed Ordinance clearly. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that staff reviewed park dedication ordinances adopted by several other cities and that the proposed regulations were consistent with other cities. She did not believe the language would be new to developers.