HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 08-27 500 CMWCITY COUNCIL /MANAGER WORKSHOP
Monday, August 27, 2007
Council Chambers, City Hall
5:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Z I ATA flx&��
1. Conservation Easement Workshop
a. Staff Presentation
b. MN Land Trust presentation — Sarah Strommen
2. Gladstone Streetscape Improvements — Landscape Architect for Gladstone
Council Manager Workshop
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Greg Copeland, City Manager
FROM: Charles Ahl, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Ginny Gaynor, Open Space Naturalist
SUBJECT: Conservation Easement Workshop
DATE: August 17, 2007
Staff will be presenting an overview of Maplewood's Neighborhood Preserves. The overview will include
discussion on the following items:
1. Historical background;
2. Criteria used to rank sites within the City;
3. Acquisition of the preserves sites;
4. Purpose and value of these preserves sites;
5. Maplewood's philosophy regarding management and uses of these sites;
6. Education;
7. Program status update;
8. Identify the location of these 14 preserve sites and provide site specific details concerning each of
the sites;
9. Summary and address questions the City Council may have.
Following the presentation by staff, Sarah Strommen from Minnesota Land Trust will be discussing
conservation easements.
Open Space Protection Plan
Draft Proposal for Phase 2: Implementation
City of Maplewood
Prepared by:
The Minnesota Land Trust
2356 University Avenue West
Suite 240
St. Paul, MN 55114
651-647-9590
August 27, 2007
1. Background and Purpose
The city of Maplewood is a first-ring Twin Cities suburb located near the
convergence of several major interstates and highways to the east of St. Paul.
The City's central location made it a desirable place for development of both
commercial areas and residential neighborhoods. Concerned over the fast
pace of development, Maplewood residents in 1993 approved a $5 million
referendum to acquire and set aside open space.
The acquisition process was overseen by a citizen Open Space Committee.
The Committee inventoried potential sites, completed an assessment process
to prioritize and rank sites, and ultimately selected sites to be acquired. The
result of that effort is seen today in the City's 14 Neighborhood Preserves (see
attached map). Neighborhood Preserves are distinct from City parks, which
are characterized by more active recreational use. The purpose of the
Neighborhood Preserves is:
The Maplewood Neighborhood Preserves were set aside by and for the
citizens of Maplewood to preserve natural resources, scenic areas, and
landscape buffers. They are protected natural areas where people can
enhance their understanding and enjoyment of the natural world through
passive-use activities such as nature study and hiking. (Maplewood
Neighborhood Preserves Statement of Purpose and Policy, 2.26.0 1)
To that end, the City has developed management or master plans that address
restoration, management, recreation, access, and amenities for most of the
Neighborhood Preserves. Management of Neighborhood Preserves is
coordinated through the City's Public Works Department and Parks and
Nature Center program.
ently, however, the City began questioning whether and how to address
nanent protection of the Preserves in that planning process.
The goals for this project were to:
• Determine whether conservation easements are a potential tool to
achieve permanent protection of the Neighborhood Preserves.
• Develop a proposal for implementing conservation easements.
2
IL Process
The following outlines the general steps that make up the conservation
easement process.
Task
Responsibility
Review/Establish Goals
City staff, Commissions, City
• Maintain character of
Council with assistance from the
community by provide visual
Land Trust
contrast to development
• Provide opportunities for low
impact recreation, outdoor
education, interaction with
nature
• Restore and maintain habitat for
the diversity of the City's plants
and animals
Resource/Data Review
Land Trust with assistance from
City staff
GIS Mapping
City staff
Prioritization and Selection of
City staff, Commissions, City
Sites to be Protected with
Council with assistance from the
Conservation Easement
Land Trust
Review/Finalize Terms
City and Land Trust
Legal Review
Land Trust attorney and City
• Title review
attorney
• Drafting review
Survey work (if necessary)
City
Approvals
City and Land Trust
Baseline Reports
Land Trust
III
Proposed Terms
Each conservation easement completed by the Minnesota Land Trust is
unique. Each is crafted to protect the conservation values of each special
parcel of land as well as meet the goals of each individual landowner and the
Land Trust.
The Minnesota Land Trust accepts only permanent conservation easements.
Once completed, the easement will forever restrict the future use and
development of the land and protect its natural or scenic features for
generations to come. It represents an important commitment by both the
landowner and the Land Trust. The importance and permanence of this
commitment require that the easement document be written with a great deal
of care and detail.
While typically the Minnesota Land Trust works with private landowners, the
Land Trust does hold a number of conservation easements on public land.
Detailed discussions about the goals forproteetio
Neighborhood Preserve will occur during Phase I
project, however, the following summarizes the t
Minnesota Land Trust conservation easement anc
discussing potential easement terms for Maplewo
preserves.
and future use of each
(Implementation) of this
>ical components of a
)roposes a starting place for
} s neighborhood
Land Use Restrictions & Rights
Detail
Industrial or commercial use
Prohibited.
Agricultural use
Prohibited — this includes
cultivation, forestry, livestock
razing or animal husbandry.
Residential use and development
Prohibited.
Structures and improvements
All permanent and temporary
buildings, structures, fences, docks
and other improvements must be
specifically addressed to be
allowed. Often these structures
are subject to restrictions on
location and size.
Rely on park master plan where
available. Specifically, will need
to address Nature Center and
Historic Farm facilities.
Utilities
Utilities are allowed to serve those
activities permitted by the
easement but otherwise limited.
4
Division of the property
Prohibited.
Density
Prohibit transfer of development
rights to another property.
Rights of way
Access across the property to
develop adjacent land is typically
prohibited.
Minim
Prohibited.
Signs
Small, unlighted signs for
informational or interpretive
purposes are typically allowed.
Would need to address entry signs
if appropriate.
Roads and trails
Locations of new and existing
roads or driveways, if any, must be
addressed'.
Unpaved paths or foot trails are
typically allowed without
restriction. Would need to address
where paved trails are appropriate.
Surface alteration
Alteration of the natural
topography or surface of the land
is limited as much as possible.
Vegetation and habitat
Management of natural vegetation
management
to improve its habitat values
always is allowed, though often
subject to an approved
management plan.
Would need to discuss whether
restoration and management
should be required.
Water
Alteration of natural water bodies
and wetlands, or actions
detrimental to water quality are
p rohibited.
Dumping
No trash or other unsightly
material is allowed on the
property.
Vehicles
Typically allowed only on
authorized roads or driveways or
in conjunction with otherwise
authorized activities (i.e. habitat
restoration or management).
Focus on prohibiting erosion or
Additionally, each easement document will include numerous legal provisions
necessary to ensure the long-term viability and enforceability of the easement.
Many of these provisions are governed by state and federal law.
IV. Costs
Costs will be determined based on the number of parcels and the complexity
of specific terms. Elements determining costs are:
• Initial project costs
• Property evaluation-initial site visit
• Project planning, design, negotiation, review and closing
• Transactional costs
Baseline reports
Easement stewardship
Enforcement
other damage from vehicles.
Recreational and educational use
Recreational and educational
purposes that do not impact the
conservation values of the land are
allowed.
Additionally, each easement document will include numerous legal provisions
necessary to ensure the long-term viability and enforceability of the easement.
Many of these provisions are governed by state and federal law.
IV. Costs
Costs will be determined based on the number of parcels and the complexity
of specific terms. Elements determining costs are:
• Initial project costs
• Property evaluation-initial site visit
• Project planning, design, negotiation, review and closing
• Transactional costs
Baseline reports
Easement stewardship
Enforcement
Council Manager Workshop
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Greg Copeland, City Manager
FROM: CharleS/\hi Public Works Director/City Engineer
SUBJECT: Gladstone Streetscape Improvements
Review 0f Options —Work Shop
DATE: August 16.2007
The Landscape Architect for the Gladstone improvements will be reviewing the preliminary options for
some of the streetscape improvements that may be installed on the first phase of Gladstone improvements.
A portion of the streetscape work will be installed as part of the Metropolitan Livable Communities Grant
and the developer responsibilities. The extent and scope [f the improvements have not been finalized, but
some guidance and/or input iarequested. The Architect will be making his presentation 8S part Ofthe
evening's Work Shop.
There are three different design concepts that are options to be considered for the theme of the
0 Recreation / Nature / Open Space
* Historic
~ Eoo-Village
Each of these options will be explained and discussed as part of this presentation. NO decisions have
been O[ will b8 made 8S part Of this, although some general thoughts from the City Council members would
be appreciated to 8||ovv for staff and the consultants to pnJt88d with planning some of the options. We are
expecting to have full staff recommendations on the improvements available in early October 2007 for all
Phase |improvements.
It is recommended that the City Council hear a presentation on the Gladstone Streetscape options. No
action is required by the Council.
Attachment:
1 Presentation onatroetsoapoOptions
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