Laserfiche WebLink
Item #9.C.2. <br /> /i <br /> City of <br /> Elk <br /> River <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Park and Recreation Commission <br /> FROM: Michele McPherson Director of Planning <br /> DATE: April 9, 2003 <br /> SUBJECT: Landscaping in Parks, Policy Approval <br /> As included in the 2003 Capital Improvements Budget,the southern boundary for Big <br /> Tooth Ridge Park(formerly Lafayette Woods) has been surveyed and Commissioner Dave <br /> Anderson has organized a group of volunteers to install the park boundary signs. <br /> It has been observed that a number of property owners have encroached into the park area <br /> with sod, shrubs, structures, and retaining walls (see attached photographs). Prior to <br /> informing the neighbors of the encroachment, staff felt it appropriate for the Commission <br /> and the Council to adopt a formal policy regarding landscape encroachments in City park <br /> areas. We suggest the following for your consideration: <br /> "The City of Elk River will be responsible for the installation and <br /> maintenance of the landscaping in city parks. Landscaping will be <br /> appropriate to the use and type of park. Residents may only landscape city <br /> parks upon the approval of the Park and Recreation Commission and only if <br /> approval has been granted prior to the landscape installation. For those <br /> landscapes that encroach into park areas, residents shall be notified in writing <br /> and given one year to restore the park to its original condition. In instances <br /> where the landscaping includes items such as retaining walls, the <br /> encroachment will be evaluated to determine if there is benefit to the park <br /> system if it is allowed to remain. The evaluation of the encroachment shall <br /> be made by City staff and a recommendation made to the Park and <br /> Recreation Commission." <br /> Recommendation <br /> Staff recommends that the Commission recommend approval of the above policy to the City <br /> Council. If the City Council adopts the above policy,letters will be sent to the adjacent <br /> property owners, requesting that their landscaping be removed and the park be restored <br /> within a one year period. <br /> S:\PLANNING\Michele McPherson\PARKNREC\Landscape policy 4-9.doc <br />