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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />MEETING <br />S J996 <br />DATE: Ji^fTy,Cf5O0roNO <br />ITEM NO: /O <br />Department Approval:Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: <br />Name Ron Moorse ■M/-Administrator’s Report <br />Title City Administrator <br />Item Description:# <br />Saga Hill Park Land Acquisition <br />Attachment: Grant Agreement Section 7.14 Conversion of Use/Permanent Record Requirement <br />Background <br />In late 1994, the residents of the Saga Hill area proposed the acquisition of approximately 11 <br />acres of undeveloped property to preser\ e it from being privately developed for home sites, and <br />to protect the unique natural features of the area. The residents proposed that the acquisition <br />be accomplished by a combination of private donations and a DNR Natural and Scenic Area <br />grant. <br />The grant agreement with the DNR requires that the property be maintained consistent with the <br />purpose and type of property acquired, and provides that the property may not be used for any <br />purpose other than that stated in the grant application without the express written approval of <br />the Commissioner of the DNR. Because the city had not (and has not) developed a plan for the <br />use of this property, and because staff was not familiar with the type of restrictions the DNR <br />would place on the use of the property, the grant application simply indicated the purpose of the <br />grant was to acquire the property as open space and did not indicate any plans for development <br />activities. <br />The DNR Grant Coordinator has indicated the Namral and Scenic Area grant program does <br />allow development activities such as roads, parking lots and structures as long as the natural <br />and/or scenic resources of the area are protected. If the Council is open to some level of <br />restriction in terms of protecting the natural and/or scenic resources of the area, it appears it is <br />possible to obtain authorization from the DNR for such developm:. i activities. <br />Conservation Easement Options <br />At its June 24 meeting. Council expressed concern regarding th: Niiunesota Land Trust’s <br />requirement that a conservation easement be placed on the proposed park land that would prevent <br />all uses other than open space and trails in perperuity. The concern was not based on any <br />specific plans for park development activities, but rather on the uncertainty about how the space <br />might be used as part of the city’s park system both now and in the future. It appears the two <br />general options available to the Council are as follows: