City Council Meeting Date: September 20, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Chris Heineman, Community Development Director
Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Consideration of Resolution Approving the Grant and Conveyance of Certain Tax Forfeited Lands in Northfield, Minnesota to the State of Minnesota (containing Part of Outlot D, Fargaze Meadows).
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution Approving the Grant and Conveyance of Certain Tax Forfeited Lands in Northfield, Minnesota to the State of Minnesota.
Summary Report:
The City Council held two public hearings related to conveyance of a portion of tax forfeited property containing part of Outlot D, Fargaze Meadows. The first was held June 21, 2016 at which time it was postponed and sent to the Planning Commission for further review and the second was held on September 6, 2016.
The Planning Commission reviewed the Meadows Park Master Plan at the July 21, 2016 Planning Commission meeting. As per Minnesota Statute 462.356, subd. 2, the Planning Commission assessed whether the return of 4.6 acres of public land from the Meadows Park acquisition is in compliance with the Northfield Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning Commission reviewed the goals identified in the Comprehensive Plan and found the disposal of the tax forfeited property to be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. A detailed summary of the Planning Commission's findings is included (Attachment 3) in the attached memo to the City Council.
At the public hearing on September 6, 2016, residents provided input to Council with their desires for the City to retain the property as parkland. One of the concerns sited was for flooding and storm water. Staff, along with the Council, is aware of flooding concerns within the City. In 2015, the City hired a consultant to model the Spring Creek Watershed and look for opportunities to reduce flo...
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