Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/09/1999

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Chair Cook stated that a community park does not always meet the needs of an area, and that is why they are putting the neighborhood parks and trails systems in. Commissioner Ostrum inquired if the proposal would be go forward fi.om the date of approval, or be retroactive. Park Utilities Supervisor Boos stated it would be for new dedications. He explained that if the Council acted to approve, the interest earnings for 1999 could be distributed to all the districts. Commissioner Droegemueller suggested, rather than forwarding a recommendation, the Commission could present their plans at the next Council meeting. Chair Cook stated the Commission should also provide the Council with a better understanding of the districts and why they are such a benefit to City Planning. Commissioner Johns stated they all had concerns regarding safe equipment, safe access to the parks and the necessary maintenance. She commented that this proposal would provide a mechanism to utilize the funds for these items where they are necessary. She stated this could be explained to the City Council, however, the most difficult point to convey to the Council would be the concept of the districts. Park/Utilities Supervisor Boos suggested the districts would be more clearly defined as "Neighborhood Recreational Districts." Motion by Commissioner Ostrum, and seconded by Droegemueller to request a work session meeting with the City Council to present the concept of the importance of maintaining the Neighborhood Recreation District system of funding as they currently exist, and to be prepared to present ideas regarding the appropriate percentages, if this matter comes to consideration. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Ostrum, Droegemueller, Asfahl, and Johns. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners LaMere and Rolfe. Case #3: Recommend the Planning Commission Consider Subdivision Ordinance Revision to Collect Park Dedication on Newly Constructed Attached Dwellings Park/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that currently the park dedication (land or cash) is received only when land is subdivided, creating a new lot of record. An example would be a lot split where a new home site is created - the "new" lot is required to pay park dedication and the existing lot is not, even if park dedication was never paid on that parcel. At present, there are a number of parcels proposed or existing for the multi-family zoning distinction. Any of these could develop with dozens of units - with no ability to collect park dedication. Park/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated, at this time, staff was not aware of the specific mechanism for requiring park dedication, because the current ordinance indicates this be done by the subdivision of Park and Recreation Commission/September 9, 1999 Page 11 of 14