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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-025 (Concept Park Plan for former Aiple Property) RESOLUTION 2017-025 CITY OF STILLWATER WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CONCEPT PARK PLAN FOR THE FORMER AIPLE PROPERTY WHEREAS, on January 8, 2013 the City Council voted to join Washington County in an effort to purchase what is now the former Aiple property for public open space and park; and WHEREAS, on May 7, 2013 the City Council approved a letter of support for a State LCCMR grant application submitted by Washington County for matching funds to purchase the property, and amongst the terms of the grant received, the City will: restore much of property to natural conditions and provide passive recreational uses; pay balance of purchase price to Washington County; own and maintain the property; and WHEREAS, on January 7, 2014 the City Council approved a purchase agreement with Washington County to pay the balance of the purchase price for the former Aiple property; and WHEREAS,prior to conveyance of the former Aiple property from Washington County to the City of Stillwater, a conservation easement must be recorded in favor of Washington County over it and the City must prepare a concept park plan that is found acceptable to the County; and WHEREAS, a focus group was formed by the City to assist with development of a Concept Park Plan and on September 14, 2016 the focus group discussed site inventory and conditions and well as brainstormed potential uses of the property; and WHEREAS,on November 3, 2016 the City held a community meeting to review the site inventory, conditions, focus group discussion, as well as brainstormed potential uses of the property; and WHEREAS, in November of 2016 the HKGi planning consultant group assisted the City with the development of a Concept Plan based upon site visits, focus group discussions and comments from participants at the community meeting; and WHEREAS,on December 12, 2016 the focus group met again to review and discuss a first draft of the Concept Plan; and WHEREAS, on December 19, 2016 the Stillwater Park Commission reviewed the draft Concept Plan and recommended approval; and WHEREAS, on January 17, 2017 the City Council reviewed the Concept Park Plan dated December 21, 2016 and found it acceptable with the condition that an option be preserved to re-use the former Aiple house for purposes consistent with the environmental conservation purposes of the State and County Funding Sources; and WHEREAS, City Attorney Magnuson developed the following language to preserve the option to re-se the former Aiple house and the language has been added to the Concept Park Plan dated February 7, 2017: Structures now existing or hereinafter constructed, must be used in furtherance of passive recreational uses such as shore fishing, transient dockage, walk in boat launching, walking paths, nature observation, picnicking and trail access, while protecting the scenic and ecological values of the St. Croix River, the MN State Trail amenity and in furtherance of the recreational needs of a national, state and local clientele. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the City Council of the City of Stillwater hereby adopts the February 7, 2017 Concept Park Plan for the former Aiple property. • II Ted Kozlowski, or ATTEST: Diane F. Ward, City Clerk