Laserfiche WebLink
2004 Metro Greenways Site Protection Nomination Page 4 <br />B. Other Ecological Functions <br />(n addition to habitat, natural areas and other open spaces may provide a wide variety of additional ecological benefits, such as <br />protection of surface and ground water quality and/or supply, natural flood storage capacity, and soil stability. Sites that contribute <br />such func[ionr will receive a higher priority. <br />Describe any other ecological functions that would be maintained or improved by protecting or <br />restoring this site. <br />Protection of this site is key for forming a large, unbroken habitat area in the fast-developing environment of Elk River. <br />The site also serves as a vital corridor "node" in the City's recently completed Natural Resource Inventory. Without <br />protection, all of the site outside of a 200' easement along the trail corridor will be eventually cleared and mined for gravel, <br />then developed as housing. If protected, in addition to its ecological function and corridor component, the site will provide <br />an important sound and dust buffer between the adjacent parks and the gravel mining operation as well as between area <br />residents and the gravel mining operation. <br />II. Project Feasibility (Primary Criteria) <br />A. Committed Donor/Seller <br />The success of this program depends ztpon property owners who are ready and willing to engage in discussion and negotiation of <br />land protection options, including donation or sale offee title or conservation easements. Projects with a willing landowner will <br />receive a higher priority. <br />Current Ownership -Include the following landowner information for the proposed site: <br />Name(s) Tiller Corporation <br />Address 7200 Hemlock Lane Suite 200 <br />PO Box 1480 <br />Maple Grove MN 55311 <br />Willing to donate property? <br />Willing to donate conservation easement? <br />Willing to sell fee title? <br />Willing to sell conservation easement? <br />Phone Number (763) 525-4191 <br />^yes X no <br />^yes X no <br />X yes ^no <br />^yes X no <br />Describe the status of discussions/negotiations with the current landowner(s), and attach a letter of <br />interest from landowner if possible. <br />City staff is engaged in negotiations with Tiller Corporation (the owner). While details are not final, an agreement for the <br />sale of the property is very likely. Conversations to date have addressed the probable selling price, and have included a <br />range of options for handling the land transfer, including creative use of park dedication credit(s), park dedication funds, <br />grants, and other options. A letter of interest from the property owner is attached. <br />B. Timeliness <br />'ites that o, ffer the prospect of concluding the land protection transaction on a timely basis will receive a higher priority. Potential <br />~elcryingfactors such as mulfiple owners, title defects, property encroachments, boundary disputes, site contamination, deed or <br />easement restrictions, will be considered in evaluating the nomination. <br />Ci/y of /ilk 2irer fop oJihc World Addirlnu Crea~wayr Grunr <br />Rnne.vtroo mid A.rsnainle~e, NoveinAer 29, 200x_ <br />