HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5City of Lakeville
Parks & Recreation
Memorandum
To: Mayor and City Council
Justin Miller, City Administrator
From: John Hennen, Parks and Recreation Director
Copy: Daryl Morey, Planning Director
Alex Jordan, Senior Project Engineer
Date: October 26, 2017
Subject: Avonlea Park Dedication Update
The City acquired 40 acres of property for a future community park/playfield through Park
Dedication as part of the first phase of the Avonlea Development approved in 2015.
Currently, there is an additional 26 plus acres of property which abuts the north side of the 40
acres that has been identified in the Avonlea Development Contract for the City to purchase
from the developer which would create a 66-acre community park that has been identified in
Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan.
The Avonlea Development Contract states that the City has until June 29, 2020 to reimburse
the developer for the 26-acre parcel at a price of $50,000 per acre; thereafter, the rate would
be based upon the current market value at the time of reimbursement. The recently approved
Capital Improvement Plan has funding set aside in 2019 to purchase this property.
The City is working with Dakota County regarding the alignment of 185th street that will abut
the north side of the 66-acre future community park/playfield property. Mattamy Homes is
proposing to construct the portion of 185th St. that abuts the park property with future phases
of Avonlea in late 2018. The right of way for 185th St., along with storm water ponding to treat
the runoff from 185th Street and the Avonlea development, is anticipated to be located on the
park property and will reduce the usable space on the 66-acre parcel.
Staff is also in discussions with the developer about timing of future phases of residential
construction and the purchase of the remaining 26-acre parcel. As the council is aware,
Mattamy Homes continues to be the developer of this site, but they are selling lots to two
residential builders. Further, Mattamy has not secured, nor will they pursue acquisition of, all
of the land originally identified in the Master Avonlea PUD and therefore the development
timeline is still in flux. The 26-acre parcel identified as part of the community park is under
Mattamy ownership.
Considering this is the last community park/athletic complex that is identified to be
constructed in our city by the Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan, and there is undeveloped
land surrounding the 66-acre parcel, it may be appropriate to discuss how acquiring
additional property could provide a benefit to the community and serve as a location for
amenities the city has identified.
Staff will be seeking city council input regarding timing and strategy in implementing this
community park asset.