Laserfiche WebLink
#2294 - Park Dedication Options <br />October 20, 1997 <br />Page 2 <br />Proposals B & C (Per Park Commission) <br />Proposed Park Land Dedication <br />Proposed Park Fee <br />0.00 acres <br />S 16,872 <br />Ramifications: <br />Under Proposal B, only the portion of ravine bottom designated as wetland is <br />dedicated as drainage easement. The area between the north and south ravine <br />branches, as w'ell as some area north of the ravine, all becomes private property as <br />part of Lot 1 <br />Under Proposal C, a wider drainage easement is dedicated, encompassing the steeply <br />sloped banks of the ravine as well as the ravine bottom, but still leaving the flatter <br />upland areas in private owTiership in Lot 1 <br />Under both B and C, the possibility exists that the owner of Lot 1 could remove all <br />vegetation and place accessory buildings within the area between the north and south <br />branches of the ravine, potentially negatively altering the natural character of the head <br />of the ravine <br />>ark <br />Staff Recommendation <br />In staffs opinion the degree of protection yielded by Option B is minimal at best. Option C provides <br />the minimum drainage easement width necessary to encompass the environmentally sensitive ravine <br />bank slopes; but neither B nor C result in protection of the natural characteristics of the head of the <br />ravine, including the area between the two branches of the ravine. Those characteristics extend <br />beyond the scope of a normal drainage easement, and should be protected via other controls. Such <br />controls would necessarily include placing severe limitations on the private use of the land, such as <br />prohibiting tree and other vegetation removal, and prohibiting accessory structures or storage on this <br />portion of the property. <br />Staffs preferred alternative is that this area be dedicated to the City as a logical expansion of the <br />adjacent park area, in a manner similar to Proposal A but incorporating an additional 0.084 acre <br />along the easterly side of the ravine to incorporate more of the banks. This would eliminate the <br />possibility that a future owner of Lot 1 would place an accessory structure within the area between <br />the two ravine branches, and would likewise eliminate the possibility of private tree removal. <br />Further, this would open up access to this side of the ravine for a walking trail overlooking the <br />ravine, making it an enjoyable amenity for the public.