1B, Ramsey County Rice Creek Trailhead Concept

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scenario involved obtaining a designated trail corridor prior to the auction and separate from the park dedication requirement. Possible routes for a dedicated trail corridor include along the eastern or western property boundaries. As discussed at the meeting, the two scenarios are not necessarily mutually exclusive, though only one trail would be designated as a regional trail. Staff discussed the concept of transferring land for park and recreational uses prior to development with Mike Comodeca. He was requested to respond to the following two questions: 1. What concerns would you have about the City requesting or accepting a land transfer for a trail corridor prior to a public sale? 2. By what means could the City have the GSA include a park, trail, and open space requirement in the Invitation for Bid (IFB) for TCAAP? Mr. Comodeca's response is attached to this memorandum. In summary, Mr. Comodeca recommends against the City accepting TCAAP property prior to the public auction. However, Mr. Comodeca also states that the City may be able to request that the IFB include a requirement that a certain percentage of remediated land be transferred to the City at no cost for park, trail, and open space use. Since it is unlikely that the GSA would voluntarily include such a provision in the IFB, the City would need to pursue special legislation for this request. As discussed at the work session, the City does still have a park dedication requirement. Although the City's park dedication requirement could be revised for use on the TCAAP property, the current subdivision code allows the City to require up to ten percent of the property to be dedicated for park and recreation uses. Not including the primer-tracer area and wildlife corridor, TCAAP is approximately 458 acres. The City could conceivably require 48 acres for park and recreational uses, including a trail corridor. This would be separate from land needed for stormwater management. The current park dedication requirement does not include provisions for contaminated land, which would need to be addressed. Council Direction Requested In light of the information provided by Mr. Comodeca, staff would like feedback on: • Is the City Council interested in pursuing a property transfer for park and recreation uses prior to the public auction? • Does the City Council want to pursue special legislation to have the IFB include a requirement that a certain percentage of remediated land be transferred to the City at no cost for park, trail, and open space use? • Does the City Council prefer to rely on the park dedication requirement for park and recreation uses for a future redevelopment? City of Arden Hills - I Metro-inetWrden hills lA dmin l Council lAgendas&Packet Information12009112-14-09 TCAAP WorksessionlPacket Information1121609-CC Memo-RC Trailhead and Rice Creek Trail Update.doc Page 2 of 3