City Council Resolution 1997-56RESOLUTION 97- 56
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PRESERVATION OF
55-ACRE NATURAL AREA THROUGH COOPERATION
BETWEEN CITY OF MONTICELLO, SHERBURNE COUNTY,
BIG LAKE TOWNSHIP, AND BECKER TOWNSHIP
WHEREAS, according to the Bridgeview Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW),
the plat area is comprised of 213 acres, of which a 55-acre natural area has been
identified on the Minnesota County Biological Map as "Natural Plant Communities" and
are identified as "Oak woodland/brushland" forest cover; and
WHEREAS, the natural area has been untouched by agricultural or residential
development and is the only remaining example of this type of ecosystem in the
Monticello area; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Bridgeview Plat design is not compatible with the Sherburne
County Comprehensive Plan; environmental goal #2 states, "Protect land with
significant natural features such as the Mississippi River shoreline or areas of native
prairie or virgin woodland"; and
WHEREAS, according to the EAW, County Forestor Tim Edgeton states, " It is one of
only a few natural areas remaining in Sherburne County that typifies what this county
once looked like. These areas should be preserved as much as possible. Platting this
particular area into 2-acre lots will destroy the plants and other features that make this
area unique. If a system were in place to acquire and preserve "open space," land such
as this would be a top priority"; and
WHEREAS, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Natural
Heritage Database, a Bald Eagle's nest was recorded on the site. Mary Miller from the
DNR recommends that construction of homes and lawns be confined to areas back from
the bluff in the area of the nest and that a buffer of trees be maintained around the site;
and
WHEREAS, according to Larry Kramka of the DNR, the Wild and Scenic Regulations
allow development densities at this location to increase from 83 units to 240 units
without a variance if developed with public utilities and if the 55-acre natural area is
preserved in perpetuity in its natural setting; and
WHEREAS, the southern edge of the natural area extends along the northern edge of the
city of Monticello; and
WHEREAS, the Monticello Parks Commission supports inclusion of the Bridgeview Plat
natural areas in the Monticello Parks system; and
WHEREAS, preliminary cost estimates indicate that it is financially feasible to extend
utilities from the city of Monticello to the Bridgeview Plat. The cost to provide trunk
storm sewer is low as compared to other development property south of the freeway in
the city of Monticello; and
Resolution 97- 56
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WHEREAS, the Bridgeview Plat, under Township jurisdiction, will result in 83 private
well and septic systems, while the City of Monticello has sufficient sanitary sewer and
water system capacity; and
WHEREAS, higher density development and associated shared use of natural areas
serve to meet State of Minnesota goals by reducing urban sprawl; and
WHEREAS, development of homes with high valuation will contribute toward balancing
Monticello's housing stock, which is a goal of the Monticello Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Bridgeview Plat, if located in the city, will enable Monticello citizens to
purchase executive "step-up" housing without having to leave the city limits; and
WHEREAS, the area Townships and Sherburne County do not have a parks system and
may not be equipped to manage natural areas; and
WHEREAS, the city park system, including ballfields, trails, park playgrounds, and river
parks are enjoyed by Sherburne County citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello is the logical jurisdiction to provide municipal
services. Bridgeview residents will rely on the City to provide parks, library, community
center, ice sheets, aquatic centers, etc.; and
WHEREAS, due to proximity to the city, future residents of the Bridgeview Plat area
will identify their residence with the city of Monticello; and
WHEREAS, there are many examples of cities with land areas on both sides of a river
and in two counties; and
WHEREAS, development of the site under an urban setting provides a larger market
base for area businesses and institutions; and
WHEREAS, the Monticello Planning Commission supports working cooperatively with
the Township and County toward preservation of the natural areas; and
WHEREAS, expected high home valuation resulting from a desirable river setting and
associated taxes generated by the site are projected to exceed the cost to provide
municipal services, thus serving to justify acity/township tax-sharing program; and
WHEREAS, it is projected that the cost to provide services to high value homes under
Township jurisdiction is significantly less than the tax revenue generated, thus it is
anticipated that annexation of the area to the city of Monticello is not supported by the
Township without atax-sharing program; and
WHEREAS, there are no pre-existing orderly annexation agreements between the City of
Monticello and Becker Township or Big Lake Township governing annexation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, contingent on developer, Township,
County, and State Agency support:
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The City of Monticello supports development of a joint powers and/or tax-sharing
program that will assure preservation of Township revenue projected had
development occurred as originally proposed under the Bridgeview Plat.
2. The City supports development of joint powers agreements that prohibit further
extension of city utilities without approval from townships.
3. The City will support creative development of the Bridgeview Plat area as a
planned unit development.
4. The City will provide municipal services to Bridgeview Plat residents.
5. The City of Monticello will seek assistance from the State of Minnesota and/or
environmental groups in the form of direct grants to help support the cost of the
project.
6. The City of Monticello will manage natural areas in perpetuity for enjoyment by
residents of the Bridgeview Plat/Sherburne County and Monticello residents.
7. The City of Monticello will work cooperatively with the developer to design a site
plan that maximizes potential for economic return while preserving natural areas
and complying with the Wild and Scenic Act regulations. This includes
development of a portion of the lots with private access to the river.
8. The City of Monticello and developer will conduct engineering studies necessary
to determine design and feasibility of utility system extension, the cost of said
studies to be incorported into the financing of the improvement project.
9. Storm sewer facilities will be designed to assure proper treatment and metering
of storm water run-off.
10. In lieu of development of the site under City jurisdiction, the City of Monticello
supports re-design of the plat under a cluster housing design and requests that
environmentally sensitive areas be protected and managed by Sherburne County
as a natural area for the MonticellolBecker/Big Lake community to enjoy.
Adopted by the City Council this 1 oth day of November , 1997.
Mayor
City Administrato