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<br /> <br /> <br />To: Chair Kirchner and Planning Commission Members <br /> Adam Edwards, City Administrator <br /> <br />From: Jeremy Barnhart, Community Development Director <br /> <br />Date: January 18, 2022 <br /> <br />Subject: #LA21-000074, City of Orono Text Amendment – Park Dedication <br />Public Hearing <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br />When updating the Subdivision code in 2018, it was noted the need to update the park dedication <br />requirements, based on several factors including the park system goals, existing and anticipated <br />development patterns, and property values. <br /> <br />After review of the current park system, and anticipated growth based on the 2040 Comprehensive <br />plan, staff proposes some changes to the park dedication methodology and formula. In essence, the <br />revised methodology is based on the premise that “Development pays for itself.” <br /> <br />Analysis: In summary, the current residential share of our park system is 0.09 acre per residential <br />house hold. The current Commercial/ Industrial share is 0.05 acres per C/I acre or 14 employees. <br />Any future development should maintain the current level of park in the system, while added <br />additional users to the park system. For simplicity, it is recommended that the ratio round up to 0.1 <br />acres to incorporate the trails into the land donation requirement. <br /> <br />The ordinance outlines the requirements: A new development (including a subdivision, plat, or zone <br />change to RPUD) shall provide an amount of land to satisfy the park dedication, equal to 0.1 acres per <br />new unit. In most cases, the required donation will be in the form of cash. The amount will be based <br />on the amount of land required and the average value of the land being developed. Because of the <br />widely varying land values in Orono, this amount will be capped based on the proposed density, but in <br />no case does the cap exceed 20% of the land value. <br /> <br />Public Comments <br />To date, no public comments have been received. <br /> <br />Issues for Consideration <br />1. Does the Planning Commission have any concern or comments with the ordinance as drafted? <br /> <br />Planning Staff Recommendation <br />Planning Staff recommends approval of the ordinance as drafted. <br /> <br />List of Exhibits <br />Exhibit A. Draft Ordinance <br />Exhibit B. Methodology <br />Application Summary: The applicant is requesting approval of an ordinance that would establish <br />park dedication for subdivisions and certain development in Orono. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval as drafted.