01-25-1955 (2) A regular meeting of the Zoning and Planning Commission of the City of Hopkins,
Minnesota was held at 7:30 P.M., �zesday, 1/25/55 at the City Ha11.
'~ Present were Chairman Perbix members Anderla Johnson Ha e M
, , , g n, ayor Vesely, and
Councilman Witmer.
Anderla moved, Johnson seconded, that communication dated 1/7/55 by the R,ecreation
and parks �ommission pertaining to the acquiring and setting aside of land for
paxk and �layground purposes be tabled and copies of same be mailed to the Council
and Zoning members.
Meeting adjourned.
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A. W, Elmquist, S retaxy to the Commission
MEh�ERS OF THE CONINIISSION;
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W. Harlan Perbix, Chairman
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Hopkins Recreation Commission � �,
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DOW HOUSE Ninth Avenue and First Street South HOPKINS, MINN. � �
G L. A. HARRIS - Director of Recreation � Q �
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T�r. Harlan Yerbix �� '�_ �� Jan. 7, 1955
Cnai rman � �,
Hopkins Zonin�; and �'lannin�; Commission _ � �
11-lOth �ve . So . � �` � 1���
Hopkins , r+�inn. ;. � �`��
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Dear Harlan,
Relative to our past correspondence, I have been directed by the
�ec-reation and P�rks Commission to submit as much information as pos-
sible to you concernin� legislation that makes it mandatory to set
aside land for park and playbrounds in plat or sub-divisions .
Some of the date cor:�es fro:n the National Recreation Association
ii�hile other inf'ormation cor�es from communities that have already enac-
ted such le�islation.
� 1V1any different kincis of plans are followed in various cities
whereby space is set aside for recreation areas when r�eal-estate sub-
divisions are developed.
Some cities sug�est a percenta�e requirement for public park and
recreation space to be set aside from each new sub-division. �'�here us�d,
these percenta�es vary a �reat deal. Some are 120, 10/, 5jo and even as �
1ow as 3� of the total acreage involved.
In some places the sub-division is expected to dedicate for �ark
and recreation use about two acres for E;very 1,000 of the estimated
future population or an acre for 5omany families . In other words in thes
cities the sp ace set aside dspends on the density of the population
rather than thE; total area of the sub-division.
In still other places the local r��UlAt�0I1� leave it to the Plan-
nin� Comi�ission to specify to the extent required the al.locations ti�
olayfields , park and other open public spaca that may be essential to
t�le pro�er development of nei�hborriood areas .
Cities sometir�es find it difficult to enforce strict rulin�s on
this questior. of setting aside land. Reco�nizing this f act various ad-
jusments of the original law are tried. Some cities merely state in the
regulations that "due consideration" must be �iven to the problem.
Anaheim, California, so says the 2dational Recreation Associatioi�,
� has one of theb est arranoements they have seen. This was �ut in eff'ect
on i�2ay 25th of this year by tne passa.-re of orcl_nance #9-1 wnich amen-
ded article IX, chap�er I of the �naheim r+Tur.icipal Code by addin� two
new sections which levy a charge of �25.00 on each lot in nevr s�ab-
divisions , such funds to be used for the acqu��tion of parks, pla�r;�
�ronnds , and recreation facilities . During the first few mont'.zJ in
which this ordinanc� vras in eff�sct, about �2,000 a month was deposit-
ed fror� this source in a fund �rrhich will be used to purcriase and de-
velop for park use, land ad�acent to school playgrounds .
Recognizing the fact triat one resol�tion wila_ not adequately
cover a comrnunity where several different types of housin� will be
erected. '��ichita F�lls , Texas aciopted the fo�lo�vir.�; re�olution on
i''E-��. �6, 1'?�,� :
A eooperalive plun by City, $c�ool Distric! and Cornmunity Couneil
` GPS R4S
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Hopkins Recreation Commission � �,
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DOW HOUSE Ninth Avenue and First Street South HOPKINS, MINN. � �
L. A. HARRIS - Director of Recreation Q �
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"Reereotion is Everybody's Business"
�Yl�it L'PU[:l �:�Lici ;3i i�"',T' "t"_� �., u23tE: �Jc;i UT'� a21�� 1�1�1'- � �,n, ' ,. ^� �; � `
� or s a -c:iv��_ �.z � al� �, e
approved by the ci ty for f ilin� of re cord, that the s arr,e shall meet the
following requirement a w it�i reference to parks and�or playgrounds in such su'��
divisions .
Sin�le -r'amily L�ni ts : F'or each thirty units one acre of land should be
reserve or par�c use; this land to be centrally located so that i� possible,
all uziits to b c s erved will be within one-q�aarter tnile of this park, and in
no case sii�uld the distance be greater than one mile .
in the event that the sub-divisionsis of such size to cause a park
site to be reserved with a total acreage less than two and a nalf acres,
the plt of land should b e located on the perimeter of thz subdivision, so
that this land may be integrated witii any possibla lands �iven by further
sub-dividing.
Multi le Dwrellin Units : On duplexes , row houses , and apartment houses , park
sitas s ou d be r�served in proportion to the population with a basis of one
acr� for thirty units , and that portion havin� multiple dwelli:�s will be
^ counted on the b asis of one acre per hundred people.
This resolut.ion is passed for the purpose of setting a definit� policy
on the matte:s herein declared upon and this rasolution is furnisried for t�e
further �uidance of the engineering ciepartment and tne parks and recreation
departrnent of i;ne city of Wichita F'alls ; and each of them, by an approved
a�ent, its director, or the city en�ineer shall approve any plat or subdi-
vision before the same is presented to the board of aldermen for its approval,
By the end of 1952, Y�ichita� Falls acquired sIx .recreation areas
averagin�; about ten acres each as a result of this resolution. It is able
to enforce ttiis compulsory dedication probram because the s�ate laws stip-
ulate that the city has jurisdiction over plattings wt�ich fall within five
r�iles of the city limits .TThe city council must approve the plat before it
is filed wgt�-i the council. City expansion is furttler controlled by the fact
that the city furnishes w:ater, s3�age and other utilities to the outlyi,l�
areas .
According to the local officials , the park requirement is viewed much
as a street requirement, in that streets must be curbed with proper base
and surface in order f'or the sub-division to be taken into city limits . It
is likewise felt that a sub-division snould provide some park ar�a before
it is taken into the city. Trie resolution assures a properly locatad park
� of reasonable siza in outlying sub-divisions ev�n thou�h satTeral years rnay
elapse before they come into city limits.
In Colorado Sprin�s, Colorado, a sub-division ordinance vras alsc adop�
ted with idea of precentages o2 land in mind instead of populat?on. This
section relatin�; to public spaces states :
Allocat�on of land for public spaces . '1'he owner of the land in each
sub-division shall allocate and co nvey five per cent of the area of the
land in his sub-division, exclusive of streets and alleys , for park, play-
�:ounds , sh.�i,00l, recreational or similar public purposes , a t such loc�tion
as designated by the city or at the option of the city. Said owner shall,
A cooperufive plan by City, 5chool Districf and Co�nmunity Couneil
. GPS R4S
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Hopkins Recreation Commission � �,
W �0
DOW HOUSE Ninth Avenue and First Street South HOPKINS, MINN. � �o
L. A. HARRIS - Director of Recreation Q �
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` CqPijp�.
"Recreation is Everybody's Business"
ir'. I.lE.'U Of� SZ.IC'tl CO:.VE:��3T1CC UI� 13T1C:, i21 c{1:1C1� t^c`��r �O tr1t; CitJ itl C�::tl `r,Yl S—
mount equal to five per cent of the value of the land. If the city and the
owner fail to a�ree on the value of said land, such value shall �e fixed
and established by the Heal Lstate Appraisal Committee of the Colorado
Springs �oard o£ Realtors . The proceeds of said payments shall be depos-
ited in a separate city account and shall be used only f'or the acquisition
of land for parks , playgrounds , schools , recreatior.al or similar public
purposes .
Reservai;ion of public land. In the event a park, recreation area, playground,
school site or other pu�lic space, as included in and adopted under the
development plan of Colorado Sprin�s , is located in whole or in part within
a sub-division, and if the o�^rner oi the land in tne sub-division does not
convey lanci f or such public use , the city may at its op�ian acquire the land
for all said purposes , or for any of ther� . If the ovrner anci trie city shall
not agree upon the value of said land, the value thereof shall be fixed by
the Real Estate Appraisal Committee of the Colorado Spriii�;s �oard of Re�l-
^ tors .
Hi�;h density or multi�le f amily areas . If an area is to be developed or
sub-divided as a hi�,h da:��ity cr rnt,ltiple fa.mily area, the pla�n�n� corr.-
Tr;ittee, upon recommendation of the park board, shall require, in addition
to the five per cent area allocated as hereir providecl, open spaces suit;-
abl� located and of an adequate size for parks , play�rounds and recrea-
tional purposes in said sub-division. Said spaces r�ay be dedicated for the
common use of all inha'oitants in the sub-division or established by cave-
nants or other conditions in deed or deeds .
Natural �'eatures : Outstand�ng natural and cultural features , such a�, scenic
spots , w�ter courses and historic sites , shall be reserved insofar as pos-
sible .
Easement alon� s treams : Whenever any s tream or important s urface w ater
course is located in a sub-division, the s�zb-�i V'1dP.T�, at r�is expense, snall
make provision, accordinb to speclfications a nd standards established by the
city, for straightenin� or widening the channel to carry the surface water
and shall also provide the dedicate easements alon�; the strear� in such
width determined b�� the city for the purposes of widenin�, improvin� or
protectin� the stream and for recreational uses .
As you can see Uy the above, Recreatian ar.d rark land in plats or sub-
/� divisions is usually assured b�� ordinances relating to a certain percentage
of th� total land, (verSr often 5�) or by an estimate of' the future population,
takin�; into consideration what ty�e of housin� etc . willbe �rected.
A suitable ordinance for iiopkins rnibht contain one or the other or both
dependin� on future outlooks etc .
We hope the above information will be of aid to the Zonin�; and Plan-
nin� Commission and a fter due consideration and study will adopt an or-
dina.nce assurin� Recreation and Par?� lands in sub-divisions .
Please feel free to ca�l on u� for any aic:, cia�e, or sudoestions in
relation to the above .
��er , �
L.�a •r�is
A cooperofive plan by City, School District and Cotnmunity Couneil