The Hastings City Council at its meeting Monday, June 26, held a first reading of a new plan for parkland dedication fees.

When developments come into the city, plans either have to include park space or a contribution is made for new parkland.

The city used to have a formula that charged developments, single family or multi-family, a different rate. The city is switching the fee to $3,600 per residence in the development plan if park space isn’t going to be included in the development.

The city will phase in the move to the new fee structure, which will be firmly in place by 2026.

City staff told the council that the fee structure hasn’t changed since 2024.

The updated ordinances will also define how much parkland has to be set aside if developers are taking that route.

A memo to the council from Community Development Director John Hinzman and Parks & Recreation Director Chris Jenkins states, “Parkland dedication is required upon subdivision of property. The method for dedication may be in the form of physical land (new park) or payment of fee in lieu of land dedication (to be used for parks at a later date). Parkland dedication fees have not been amended since 2004. Fees charged today do not reflect the value of land as they did nearly 20 years ago.”

For developments paying the fee, the current cost is $2,100 per unit for a single-family home, compared to $1,100 per unit for apartments. The example presented was the Heritage Ridge subdivision with 116 homes and a current fee of $243,600. The Lake Isabel Flats with 89 apartments downtown had to pay $1,100 per unit for a total payment of $97,900.

A survey of 25 comparable communities showed a median parkland dedication fee of $3,631 for single family homes, $3,525 for townhomes and $3,500 for apartments. The fee range in those communities was between $1,500 and $8,000.

Under the Hastings plan, the fee will go up annually until it hits the $3,600 per unit mark. For developments with less than 12 units per acre, the existing fee is $2,200 that will jump to $2,700 this year, $3,200 next year and hit the $3,600 mark in 2025. High density developments will increase from $1,000 per unit now to $1,600 and $2,100 in 2024. The fee will increase to $2,600 in 2025, $3,100 in 2026 and level off at $3,600 in 2027.

For subdivisions setting aside land for parks, a formula based on the total population of Hastings and total amount of parkland will be used.

A public hearing and final council vote on the ordinance changes will take place July 17.

The council also this week read a proclamation for Parks & Recreation Month in July:

Proclamation
Declaring July 2023 as Parks and Recreation

Month In the City of Hastings, MN

“WHEREAS, parks and recreation are an integral part of communities throughout this country, including the City of Hastings; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation promote health and wellness, improving the physical and mental health of people who live near parks; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation encourage physical activities by providing space for popular sports, and hiking trails, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation staff members maintain nearly 30 miles of trails and 37 parks for our community, along with the Hastings Civic Center, Hastings Family Aquatic Center, fields, courts and playgrounds; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation programming and education activities, such as youth and adult athletic leagues, provide opportunities to engage with others in the community; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation provide numerous entertainment options that take advantage of our natural amenities and support tourism through the use of Levee Park and other parks; and

WHEREAS, parks and recreation take care of the trees in our city and work to ensure the ecological beauty of our community; and

WHEREAS, each July the City celebrates National Parks and Recreation Month with a Party in the Park, which will be held this year on July 11 at Levee Park; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. House of Representatives has designated July as Parks and Recreation Month; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hastings recognizes the benefits derived from parks and recreation resources; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Mary Fasbender and the Hastings City Council hereby declare the month of July 2023 as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Hastings.”