Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 07-14 Commercial park charge okayed in city THE REVIEW At 21/2% rate \ Commercial park charge okayed in city by Kamy Ide of two and one-half percent of the value of and members of the city's parks com- night represents some change from the somebody else has done it." Businessman Jerry Mogren told the the undeveloped land,based on Ramsey mission, who proposed a five percent original plans.Not only is the percentage Wiegert explained that the charge is to council at its recent session that he did not Development of commercial and in- County tax statements. charge based on the fair market value of lower,but that percentage is to be based be made only against land which is going mind paying the park charge."We need dustrial property in the City of That figure represented a compromise the undeveloped land.A 15 percent charge on Ramsey County tax assessment to be developed. parks. We need everything. I see Maplewood will help finance parks in the between Councilman Burton Murdock, was discussed in July of 1974. statements.Mayor Bruton indicated he Specifically,the ordinance will affect selfishness on the council,on the planning community. who favored a "reasonable" charge The council first voted on a three felt those tax statement values on "the developer of any tract of land in the commission, on the Maplewood Com- The Maplewood Council, at its Thor- because of the harm he said it would percent charge,but tied the vote.Donald property are considerably lower than fair City of Maplewood which is to be munity Design Review Board and in sday,July 8 meeting,approved a charge cause business,and Mayor Robert Bruton Wiegert and Norm Anderson favored that market value,perhaps only 65 percent of developed for commercial,industrial or business. proposal.Murdock voted against it as too fair market value."A two percent charge like uses."Developers may dedicate two "To get to the point,I don't mind paying high.Bruton voted against it as too low. (on tax statement value)is then really a and one-half percent of their land. a park charge.But it has to be reasonable The two and one-half percent charge, one and one-half percent charge(on fair However,if that land is not suitable as so everybody can live." then proposed by Wiegert,was approved market value),"he said. parks,playgrounds or public open space, 3-1, with Bruton in opposition. Coun- a determination to be made by the city Mogren also told the council,"As long cilman John Greavu did not attend the Councilman Anderson proposed the council, with recommendations of the as businessmen are willing to pay the session. three percent figure,saying"I don't want parks and recreation commission and park charge,I think we should get some Voting on the proposal came after the to see us set up as a community trying to planning commission, then the charge cooperation." He said cooperation and matter was tabled at the council's June 24 drive business away." will be made. understanding between the design review session. Murdock voiced strong oh- Businessmen and property holders in board and planning commission and jections to the charge at that session. the community appebred at the session to All cash received from such properties business is needed."Sometimes it's tough At that meeting,the council also spent speak against the charge. will go into a special fund to be used only to get along with you people,"he said. almost an hour discussing other ways in Land owner Clayton Parks said the for the acquisition of land for parks, Mogren added,"People on these boards which the charge might be made, but charge is "discriminatory." He noted playgrounds, public open space, the have got to wear two hats.They should try learned state law allows only such a council comments about other corn- development of existing parks and to look at things from our viewpoint." charge against undeveloped land. munities which have a park charge and playground sites,public open space and The city already charges residential said "I don't think something is debt retirement in connection with land developers$317 per lot, roughtly three THE PLAN APPROVED Thursday necessarily good,right or just because previously acquired for public purposes. percent of a$10,000 lot.