Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/10/2011

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Park and Recreation Commission Item #: 5. 1. Date: 03/10/2011 By: Mark Riverblood Engineering /Public Works Information Title: Recommend Park Development Implementation Plan for `North Commons' in the COR. Background: Initiating park improvements for the 7 aces of city owned space in the COR known as 'North Commons' has been discussed by the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council (acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority or HRA) during the latter half of 2010 and into this year. Most recently the conversation has included the sale of lots on the west side of this property to fund the proposed development costs. On February 22, 2011 those residents in the vicinity of the proposed park were invited to an open -house style meeting to both comment on the proposal to sell lots to generate needed revenue for park improvements, and also for input relating to priorities for park features. Residents attending this meeting and at the subsequent homeowners association meeting were asked to generally rank their desires, with the following list being the finding in order of preference: • Play structure • Lawn and trees • Sliding hill • Community Garden • Paved paths /trails • Off -leash area • Naturalized areas /wildflower plantings to compliment the wetland Observations: The attached exhibit is the proposed lot configuration together with suggested park features that was mailed to residents. The consensus of those commenting seemed to be that if a certain number of lots needed to be created to initiate the park's development that would acceptable - given the significant decline in market conditions and economy since the earlier plans for this public space were discussed. Further comments included a desire to see a few less lots than shown; and a builder owning a number of lots in the area expressed a desire that certain standards be implemented so that both the lot sales would not compete directly with his 'price point'. Staff also communicated that it was understood to be the HRA's intention that the some or all of the Park Dedication and Trail Fees for any new lots created outside of the 7 -acre subject property may also be directed to improvements within North Commons (new lots shown in gray shading in the aforementioned exhibit). Darren Lazan, the city's Development Manager for the COR, is anticipated to be at the Commission's meeting to provide additional detail. The purpose of this case is to make a recommendation to the HRA and Council on the proposal to create new residential lots, with some of the proceeds utilized to fund park improvements for North Commons.