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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 7 of 8 <br /> February 12, 2025 <br /> property because everyone wants to get down to the river. He said that they thought of it as more of a <br /> passive park and originally, they thought it was going to be an HOA park for the neighborhood. As they <br /> got into more discussions with the city, they thought the city would want it as a park themselves. Now <br /> they are having a financial issue if they cannot do it this way. Elk River is the only City they have ever <br /> worked with that requires 20% park dedication. <br /> Mr. Bona said that they are trying to accommodate many different things to get to the 20%. While <br /> designing this plan they set aside so much open space, more than they ever have before. They wanted <br /> to create a big berm and landscape it which will also cost them a lot of money. <br /> He asked the Commission to reconsider because he feels that the recommendations being put forth are <br /> not something that Capstone can financially do. Chair Anderson said that they are talking about usable <br /> programmable park space as park dedication, and he thinks Commissioner Niziolek's suggestion of <br /> compromise about the lower space is a good idea. <br /> Mr. Bona said that he really needs the full park dedication credit for the lower park space to move <br /> forward. He feels like they are giving away their shoreland and it is very valuable. Chair Anderson said <br /> that Capstone would need to discuss these concerns with City Council then. <br /> Commissioner Loidolt asked if the lower space by the river is buildable. Mr. Bona said not for homes, <br /> but it would be for other amenities if that was made a private park, and discussions were had with the <br /> DNR. <br /> Mr. Stremcha suggested the potential compromise of a 7-acre park on the upland paired with the 7- <br /> acres space down below above high-water mark, then 7-acres of park dedication money as the <br /> remainder up to 15% instead of 20%. 45 acres of park dedication was the original 20% so 32.5 acres <br /> would be about 15%. Chair Anderson confirmed it would end up being about half cash and half land. He <br /> also clarified that it was City Council that produced the formula of the 20% so he is trying to follow the <br /> rules. Chair Anderson said because it is a planned unit development it has some flexibility. He said he <br /> could consider this suggestion. <br /> Mr. Bona asked for clarification on this compromise. Mr. Stremcha explained that the green strip would <br /> no longer be included in the park dedication. He also said that when the ordinance was created it <br /> would not have taken into a property like this. He said the lower field is still the most important part <br /> Mr. Bona said that he does believe the City could put a playground and all the regular park amenities in <br /> that lower area by working with the DNR. <br /> Mr. Barker said they had an extensive conversation with the Kelly Farm about not having the trail come <br /> through their property via the bluff line. He also said there is nine acres that could be programmed on <br /> the green space corridor where the trail is currently shown. <br /> Chair Anderson said that he knows they lost the bluff line trail. The overall intent is getting from the <br /> northwest to the southeast part of the property. <br /> Commissioner Fermoyle said she is concerned about amending the dedication fee to 15% and how that <br /> might affect future park dedication decisions. <br /> Commissioner Niziolek said that all the park dedication fees will be going back into this community via <br /> the building of a playground and a pavilion in the park in their community. He shared they are not doing <br />