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The adjoining 19 acres is accessed through an easement with residential land use on both <br />sides. The one side is close to a single-family residence while the back portion of the <br />easement borders a graveyard for residential appliances. The easement could easily be <br />screened by privacy fencing. The 19 acres site is currently served by the Thorp Water <br />District. It is presumed that the district is able to serve the anticipated increase in water <br />demand associated with a new restroom. The 19 acres border the Burlington Northern <br />Sante Fe mainline through Thorp. The site appears to be relatively dry and would likely <br />lend itself to camp site development. <br />The mill acquisition supports the Board's stated desire attracting tourism to the county. <br />The destination is well known and attracts visitors during months when tours are not <br />provided at the mill. Lodging tax could likely be used offsetting operational and <br />maintenance costs. The recently passed additional real estate excise tax (2) could also be <br />used offsetting operational and maintenance costs. Conversations continue around re - <br />accessing Gladmar Park. The proximity of the park to the Thorp Mill site creates <br />interest in potentially master planning both sites for recreational use. The 19 -acre site, <br />when combined with the mill, creates an interesting opportunity for the Board. <br />Additional work is needed at the staff level to adequately advise the Board of issues <br />associated with acquisition. The brief site tour suggests additional investigation is <br />warranted. Providing State Parks is not moving aggressively to close on the acquisition, <br />additional resources should be allocated defining true and undetermined costs associated <br />with acquisition. In the absence of state acquisition, it is prudent to engage Thorp <br />conservationist on stabilizing operational and maintenance cost potentially through <br />lodging tax grants. <br />FISCAL IMPACTS: <br />Undetermined at this point. Planning level cost for a restroom facility at the mill is $200- <br />$250,000. Long term operational and maintenance costs are expected to be $25,000- <br />$50,000 annually depending on the intensity of use. <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />EXHIBIT 1: LAND USE MAPS <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2022 <br />