10-06-21-Planning Commission - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 1 of 3 PC Agenda Item - 3B MEMORANDUM DATE: October 6, 2021 TO: Planning Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Jessica Jagoe, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Planning Case #21-023 – No Public Hearing Required Applicant: City of Arden Hills Request: Sale of City Owned Parcel at 3588 Ridgewood Road Requested Action The Planning Commission shall review and provide a recommendation whether a potential sale of the City owned parcel at 3588 Ridgewood Road would be in compliance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Background At the September 8th Planning Commission meeting, the Commission made a motion to table action on this agenda item in order to seek a legal opinion from the City Attorney as to whether or not conditions could be included directing the process of the land sale. Following this action, City Staff contacted the City Attorney to verify the discretion allowed within this review. The City Attorney has confirmed that as established by State Statute the role of the Planning Commission is this instance is limited to determining whether or not the proposed sale is in compliance with the Comprehensive Municipal Plan. The Planning Commission does not have the authority to add conditions to direct the terms of the sale. Also from this meeting, the Commission noted that Ramsey County’s GIS had shown a map label of “Park” on the subject parcel. This label was populated within their mapping layers under Lot Text. City Staff contacted the Assessor’s Office to research prior documentation of park dedication. The County noted that it was possible they had this identifier prior to the City acquiring the land and that the map was never updated, but no formal dedication was found. The City Attorney has reviewed the information and questions raised by the Commission regarding this map label. Their office has confirmed that a statement of purpose for which a property is to be used is not sufficient to create a restrictive use covenant. Such a restriction would have required language within the deed. On August 6th, the City received the completed title report (Attachment C) which confirmed there are no deed restrictions prohibiting the City from selling this parcel.