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1. What will the city accomplish with this dedicated funding?

Andover will use the funds to acquire land from willing sellers for protection of water and air quality, preservation of wildlife habitat and natural amenities.

2. How will the city do this?

The city will acquire land and/or enter into land preservation agreements to permanently protect natural areas.

3. Where would the lands be located?

Land throughout the city will be eligible for consideration.

4. What can be accomplished with $2,000,000?

An initial investment by Andover residents will open the door to matching funds from public agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporate sponsors. Preservation can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the purchase of property, dedication of conservation easements, purchase or transfer of development rights and park dedication. By utilizing a combination of funding sources and methods, the amount of land that can be protected will be multiplied.

5. How long will these properties be protected?

The land will be protected in perpetuity.

6. How much will property taxes increase to fund this program and for how long?

A property owner will pay about $8 per year for each $100,000 of assessed property value for fifteen years. The annual tax impact is expected to decrease in future years due to growth in the city’s tax base.

7. How will the city ensure the program is effective?

A citizen advisory committee appointed by the City Council will review spending and expenditures will be audited annually. This information will be open to public review.

8. Does the city have experience with similar projects?

This year the city acquired more than 20 acres of natural habitat area and reached agreement to protect an additional l0 acres along the same wildlife corridor near Hanson Boulevard and 161“ Avenue. The agreement includes a trail connection to the existing system along Hanson Boulevard. A restoration project in Kelsey Round Lake Park was also completed with funding from with the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The city is currently working with the DNR, Coon Creek Watershed Management District, Tree Trust and Anoka County Parks to restore native plants in wetlands along Coon Creek. With dedicated funding a city wide effort to preserve natural areas can be implemented.

9. What will the effect be on my property?

Local and national research has shown that natural areas positively affect home values and consistently rank high on lists of homebuyer preferences.

10. Are there natural areas remaining in Andover that need to be protected?

Yes. Approximately 40% of the city remains undeveloped. However, The Metropolitan Council forecasts the city’s population will grow to 39,000 people with the addition of as many as 4,000 new homes by the year 2020. There is presently an opportunity to preserve unique natural areas from development for the enjoyment of residents now and in the years to come.

11. Will all property owners be required to pay this tax?

No, state law exempts agricultural land and seasonal property from taxes used to repay all referendum debt.

12. Why would a landowner want to participate in this program?

This would be an option for landowners who don’t want to see their land developed but want to protect it for the enjoyment of future generations. For Additional Information Contact City Hall at 763-755-5100