Agenda - Council - 12/09/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2.02: Consider Permanent Protection for Park Purposes: Case of Rivers Bend Park Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and explained that the 60 acre River' s Bend Park was deeded to the City to fulfill park dedication needs. However, it was not dedicated in a fashion that provides protection into perpetuity that platting a park would provide. He stated that when a previous City Council considered selling some property along Xkimo Street NW to a developer, public notice was issued and many residents expressed their concern. Those residents were stunned to learn that the City could sell this land as it was thought to be parkland. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the City has clear title to this property and the most practical way to provide for park protection into perpetuity is to plat it. However, it may cost as much as $20,000 to create that plat because of the survey cost. He asked the Council if it supported proceeding to determine the cost to plat this property and identify whether any property along Xkimo Street NW should be excluded from the plat for development. Community Development Director Gladhill explained this large sized property has a mile of shoreline, County right-of-way, and wooded areas. He asked whether the Council supported proceeding with the plat knowing the high survey cost, or to convey for future development potential, which may be limited due to the required bluff setbacks. Community Development Director Gladhill noted the issue is whether the cost to protect the property is worth the outcome and asked whether staff should first reach out to the public to find out if there is interest in development along Xkimo Street NW. Mayor Strommen stated that based on public response the last time this was discussed, she would ask why this question is being raised. Community Development Director Gladhill stated the property is identified as High Density Residential and the Council can make a decision whether or not to convey the property for development. Councilmember Riley stated he would support not selling the property for development. He asked why the property would have to be platted to make it parkland. Community Development Director Gladhill explained that local zoning dictates land use. The standard process is to acquire parkland through the platting process when the property is dedicated to the public into perpetuity. This is the best protection to keep the property as a park. Community Development Director Gladhill indicated a future Council can decide to rezone the property so you cannot rely only on zoning to protect the property for a park use. That is the `loophole' that residents would like closed. Community Development Director Gladhill stated he was surprised about the high cost estimate to survey this property but this is a large lot. Mayor Strommen asked why the shoreline has to be walked as part of the survey since it would fluctuate over time. Community Development Director Gladhill stated a plat will set certain boundaries and place monuments.