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12 / Chapter 3: Using the Plan <br />Elk River Comprehensive Plan <br />Establish a Finance Plan <br />Limited fi nancial resources will play a role in undertaking this initiative of maintaining and obtaining greenways <br />within the City. Some potential funding strategies include, but are not limited to: <br /> ·Allowing a landowner to place a desired preservation area in an easement that is recorded on the deed to <br />prohibit development of that land area. In return the landowner would receive some property tax relief. As <br />appropriate, these areas should include a trail easement to allow public access and links with other areas. <br /> ·Encouraging property owners to donate property to the City for long-term preservation through the greenway <br />and open space system. <br /> ·Using density bonuses as an incentive for additional land dedication. A developer can offset the loss of <br />dedicated lands with the ability to building additional housing units or cluster the homes. The City’s Open <br />Space Preservation Plat regulations provide a model for the implementation of this strategy. The City can <br />also grant the ability to add additional lots if certain criteria are met. Allowing additional units or smaller <br />minimum lots might also be options for sewered subdivisions and zoning districts. This approach requires <br />specifi c criteria for obtaining the bonus and limits on maximum changes in density. <br /> ·The greenway initiative promotes a reevaluation of the overall park dedication regulations, allowing the City <br />to discuss the role of the park dedication, and to develop plans to ensure implementation of overall park open <br />space needs. Shifting park dedication resources to greenways will reduce funds for other elements of the <br />park system. <br /> ·Parks and greenways will compete with other services and facilities for property taxes. Some communities <br />have sought voter approval to issue bonds to fi nance park and open space initiatives. <br />Greenways and Open Spaces <br />The Comprehensive Plan proposes to establish a greenway system throughout <br />Elk River. The implementation of this concept is not a single action. It <br />involves commitment to the concept and incremental steps to building this <br />system. Much like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, individual pieces are added <br />within the framework of a broader plan. <br />Identify Key Properties <br />The City’s Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan currently underway will show <br />potential greenway and open space patterns based on existing data. A Natural <br />Resource Inventory (NRI) was completed in 2004 by the City which identifi ed key <br />natural areas in Elk River including wetlands, prairies, swamps, marshes, forested <br />areas, and critical habitats. This information should continue to be utilized and <br />incorporated into the review of future development and redevelopment applications.