City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  January 16, 2007

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Council authorize staff to obtain an appraisal for the acquisition of portions of the property at 1020 E. Forest Hill Avenue as part of the implementation of the Abendschein Community Park master plan.

Background:  Staff is requesting authorization to obtain an appraisal for a ± 10 acre portion of the property at 1020 East Forest Hill Avenue.  This property is adjacent to Abendschein Community Park and contains a significant wooded area that has been identified for possible acquisition as part of the Abendschein Park master plan.

This wooded area has been identified as being part of a primary environmental corridor.  As such, this portion of the property would be eligible for acquisition under the City’s environmental corridor acquisition program.  Given its location as part the primary corridor as well as being adjacent to a community park, it is possible that this acquisition may be supported by State stewardship funds.  The applications for this matching grant are due May 1st.  A certified appraisal must be accepted before the DNR would consider a matching grant.

Once a value is determined for the property, the Plan Commission will be asked to make a recommendation to the Council regarding the City’s interest in acquiring this land.

Fiscal Impact:  This property could potentially be acquired using environmental corridor acquisition funds (currently at app. $215,000), DNR stewardship grants, or community park impact fee money.  In any case, the first step would be to determine the value of the property.

The cost of the appraisal (app. $2500) would be taken from Project # 06032, the environmental corridor acquisition account.

Prepared by: Doug Seymour, AICP Director of Community Development

Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator

Fiscal Review by:

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk