[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6100458,"mediaKeyId","2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee","parentId",2813430,"title","Apple Valley staff outline summer parks projects including new inclusive playground and Splash Valley reopening","audioSeconds",244,"startMs",2969000,"endMs",3213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee&start=2969&end=3213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee/thumbnail_2969000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100458/Apple-Valley/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Apple-Valley-staff-outline-summer-parks-projects-including-new-inclusive-playground-and-Splash-Valley-reopening","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100458-a4a317f02dea681a1e78a91bc3cb40b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452923&Signature=jelpClg7Npsgnm9HQiIb5v1HucIV34dRFsfecA9i2TqD4tc08POFgEZIIxKDgEUVKxNl-OXkSP9O22jHiDgs3vUvpoc2mUxdF9h4O0nGmda5GV232zPu5o1Wr6Lxbl64SV-dzRGMH1~nyrVi1QP4TpZZbVlkkCOMjw8Ca~7BvRYBR7nezYlcKRY1Z0ZIYEbixJo9Of9HGbAqoPJIeQBoOpLqh5ZOSKixt8cGY7nouKpR2FIc3OKlyzyHKyQO4mpd0Xk~ZNunF-o5Eg-cJ8hnAeLP1vbCzHzzFAx7QxQ-jYarizKqbwcsc9EIXvq05anuW77P90PGL0h9hEmw2ILdUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Apple Valley, MN","date","2025-03-29T00:52:28.527Z","article","Parks and Recreation staff told the Apple Valley City Council on March 27 that the city will begin multiple parks projects this year funded in part by the parks referendum approved by voters in November 2023.

Park staff said Splash Valley Waterpark (the former Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center) is on schedule to open in early June and that the city plans a ribbon‑cutting event on or about June 12. Construction of a new inclusive playground and other improvements at Kelly Park (part of the Kelly Park/Kraus Anderson agreement) will begin in June with an expected completion in 2026. Work on a youth baseball and softball complex at Hays Park is scheduled to begin in April, with seed‑and‑grow timelines likely pushing final usability into 2026. Staff also reported resurfacing about 2.5 miles of trails at Cobblestone/Lake Park starting in May, an open house April 14 for neighbors about the trail work, eight new lighted pickleball courts at Johnnycake West due by August, and a concrete skate park at Johnnycake West.

Parks staff said citywide park signage will be updated by July, with some signature signs at major parks planned separately. A season‑pass trial is planned at the waterpark for 2025. Staff acknowledged there will be construction disruptions this summer and encouraged patience while noting the long‑term community benefits.

No formal council action was required for the presentation; councilmembers and the park director discussed scheduling and outreach to neighbors. The city plans to post schedules and host public outreach (open house April 14) to share details about closures and timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - March 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parks staff told the council on March 27 that several park projects will start this year, including the Splash Valley Waterpark reopening in June, a new inclusive playground at Kelly Park, a youth baseball/softball complex at Hays Park, trail resurfacing and additional pickleball courts.","taxTitle","Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota","taxId",4526,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6100463,"Apple Valley proclaims April 25, 2025 as Arbor Day, May 2025 as Arbor Month",83,188000,271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee&start=188&end=271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6100463/Apple-Valley/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Apple-Valley-proclaims-April-25-2025-as-Arbor-Day-May-2025-as-Arbor-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100463-eb1def6aaf8eaf942971441492322949/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452923&Signature=JMl19kjThYwW32yVhvaTyE~t0VyLOpfkWAivXLLPNZeVje3Qk6kW9m837Eg9gnUWbGwUIXZUNh-0jGX9XTH7VstUrBUrp2vTaFxjUVScZvn15VleOMhNksC9a95Oiyvc6N-lX3I8Z1SCAfpmSeTnTZkb709zQIb69Lsz7i6KV3mf-BIuG4LcUGE5w34X-cUco58rQv6UdiPGzmNqd7iN-RwhyXgstx5qIYaPLXL2Ghj-NfPZSBwYLpoTLlqsrcFJPRFWkJO6O9e7torYh8SxzTpnWhsdafdGMWHhqXzkhFC5e2lbGf0zmTc2ZXNpSOqCiBF8geJtfr4UGIMEMMGARQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Apple Valley City Council on March 27 approved a proclamation designating April 25, 2025, as Arbor Day and May 2025 as Arbor Month.

City staff member Matt told the council the city will hold its annual tree‑planting event on Thursday, May 8 at Diamond Path Park at 5 p.m., and noted that the city has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 40th consecutive year.

The council approved the proclamation by voice vote. Staff asked the city to publish event details so residents can attend the May 8 planting.

Details presented at the meeting

- Annual tree‑planting: Thursday, May 8, Diamond Path Park, 5:00 p.m. (Matt, city staff)
- Tree City USA recognition: Apple Valley declared a Tree City USA community for the 40th consecutive year (Arbor Day Foundation)

The city plans to distribute a flyer and post information about the event on the city website and via city communications channels.","The City Council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing April 25, 2025 as Arbor Day and May 2025 as Arbor Month and announced a community tree‑planting on May 8.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6100468,"Apple Valley council adopts resolution opposing state bills that would limit local zoning authority",1942,293000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee&start=293&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813430-9b0254f559eddc8c40b348c6986902ee/thumbnail_293000.jpg","/articles/6100468/Apple-Valley/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Apple-Valley-council-adopts-resolution-opposing-state-bills-that-would-limit-local-zoning-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100468-7a23f8cb4c2f8e155b406ee3569eddf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452923&Signature=fbHeHH1mFaSKDRHisX6z0Rh7aFhbQce2XpW-4~r8PPneICwIESFo~gtHvz8WgIp1H0yotrJRN6qLczBbSSHK1NSsw8PNGdmIoSIDD257rIMe1sj78o2q3VOerV26JKSADdql9uasY2rZUT8Hu0L-VcKgOG6kCs5E7grHBomsk0an5iS9uO1XSOIXJJL1CNjPWolnwZKxkEyGImNkvsdckJji2KywwtHHx1-K5-jFG8kIfbKsz8EcO-vllS0JCldkNVn3WF~4m9rQ1FzoD1RNV-uiCcSIAhADaE1GYFEEizv9Iv44g2u7ZChxzkkYoUC6W0gS~BOYHVnGVcDxo3lhHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Apple Valley City Council on March 27 adopted a resolution opposing several Minnesota bills that, city staff and council members said, would sharply curtail local land-use authority and public review of residential development.

City staff described four bills under consideration at the Legislature — the Minnesota Starter Home Act, More Homes Right Places Act, Transforming Main Street Act and the People Over Parking Act — and recommended the council adopt an official position opposing them. City staff warned the proposals would require administrative approvals, restrict local design and parking standards, and could force major changes to existing single-family neighborhoods. \"Many of them are — they're going too far,\" City staff member Tom said during his presentation.

The council approved the resolution after discussion. Councilmember Bergman moved to adopt the resolution; Councilmember Grendel seconded. The motion passed by voice vote and no opposing votes were recorded.

Why it matters

City officials said the bills would remove or limit local zoning tools Apple Valley has used to implement its adopted comprehensive plan and to manage infrastructure, traffic and neighborhood character. City staff and council members flagged specific provisions they said are common to the bills: prohibitions on minimum parking requirements, limits on local setbacks and floor‑area rules, administrative review in place of public hearings, and allowances for greater lot coverage and higher densities.

What the council heard

City staff outlined provisions that would affect Apple Valley planning if adopted. Those included a requirement under one bill to permit at least two units on any single‑family lot and to allow accessory dwelling units; a minimum lot size ceiling of one‑eighth acre (about 5,400 square feet) in other provisions (Apple Valley's current single‑family minimum lot size was reported by staff as about 11,000 square feet); and a proposal to require cities to upzone 50% of residential areas to allow townhomes, duplexes and triplexes or to meet an average density of one unit per 4,000 square feet in upzoned areas. Staff also said several bills would remove local minimum parking requirements, allow multifamily up to 75 feet in some commercial districts, and restrict use of planned-unit developments and conditional‑use permits.

Council members voiced concerns about the bills' effects on resident input, infrastructure and public safety. Councilmember Hebert said the region faces a housing shortage but argued that local planning and resident participation must remain part of the solution: \"Having just 1 meeting and not even a public hearing is ridiculous and and not okay at all,\" Hebert said, stressing safety and maintenance implications of removing parking minimums. Former council member Tom Goodwin, a member of the public, called the proposed legislation \"the worst piece of legislation for cities that I've ever seen in my 40 years as a city council member,\" warning residents would have little recourse if such measures passed.

Next steps

The resolution directs city staff to forward the council's position to the local legislative delegation, to provide testimony at committee hearings if scheduled, and to share information with residents so they may contact legislators. City staff encouraged residents to engage with their legislators and noted the League of Minnesota Cities and the Metropolitan Council as partners for further consultation.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution supporting retention of city zoning authority and opposing proposed legislation limiting local land‑use decision making: Motion by Councilmember Bergman; second by Councilmember Grendel. Passed by voice vote; no opposing votes recorded.

Sources and limitations

The article summarizes statements and slide material presented at the March 27 council meeting. The council and staff cited named bills by short title but did not provide complete bill numbers in the meeting transcript. Where staff provided specific numeric comparisons (example: Apple Valley minimum lot size), those figures are reported as presented by staff during the meeting.","On March 27, 2025, the Apple Valley City Council adopted a resolution urging the Minnesota Legislature to preserve local zoning authority and oppose four bills the city says would substantially restrict local review of residential development.","actionData","errors"]

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Apple Valley staff outline summer parks projects including new inclusive playground and Splash Valley reopening

Apple Valley proclaims April 25, 2025 as Arbor Day, May 2025 as Arbor Month

Apple Valley council adopts resolution opposing state bills that would limit local zoning authority