The Crookston Planning Commission held a short meeting this week. The first item on the agenda was a discussion on recommending the acquisition of Phase 1 of the park at Nature View Estates to the City Council.
The City of Crookston and developer Bob Herkenhoff had reached an agreement last spring for the City of Crookston to put in the infrastructure to complete Eickhof Boulevard out to Fisher Avenue, including curb and gutter, so Herkenhoff could make 14 lots available for sale. The agreement included the trade of a natural park in two phases to complete the infrastructure.
The agreement called for Phase 1 of the park to be transferred upon completion of the infrastructure, which has occurred according to City of Crookston Building Official Greg Hefta. “This was just kind of final touchup to the Nature View Estates Plat 5,” said Hefta. “Through the development agreement with Bob Herkenhoff, we receive the parkland associated with this development. It’s just fine-tuning that the agreement has been met, and the city will now receive a nice plat of parkland.”
According to the agreement, the second phase of the park is to be conveyed to the City of Crookston within 20 years. Once that is complete, the park will total approximately 30 acres.
The Commission also had some old business to attend to. City Administrator Amy Finch explained a land-use determination requires a written recommendation for the City Council. The Commission hadn’t provided a written recommendation for a land-use determination made in July. “At the July 21 Planning Commission meeting, Planning Commission approved the Ag Innovation Campus land determination use,” said Finch. “State statute requires written recommendation to the City Council for approval. Because we’re going to have some things related to the Ag Innovation Campus at the next council meeting, we just wanted to make sure to have that written recommendation. It was already approved, just needed that piece to take up to City Council.”
