Forest Lake Council approves Chestnut Creek Phase 2 plat after residents press for parkland

The Forest Lake City Council on Wednesday approved a preliminary plat and amended planned unit development (PUD) for Chestnut Creek Phase 2, but asked the developer and city staff to work toward delivering neighborhood parkland or a combination of land and fees to construct a park.

The issue dominated public comment, with multiple residents saying they were told in prior years that a park would be part of Phase 2. "We were told there would be a park," said Nikki Searing, a Chestnut Creek homeowner, adding that children now play in the neighborhood streets because they have no close playground. "We just need somewhere for the kids to go."

Council approved resolution 10 13 25 05, as amended, after a lengthy discussion that included developer representatives from D.R. Horton and city staff. The amendment directed the developer to work with staff on a combination of land dedication and a fee that will be used at least in part to build the park, and left final details to be settled before final plat and with further review by the parks commission.

Why it matters: Residents said the park was…