HomeMy WebLinkAboutBENNETT ROAD BUNGALOWS - PDP - 42-01 - CORRESPONDENCE - CITY STAFF (5)Steve Olt = Bennett School Park issue Page 1
From: Mike Powers
To: john fischbach
Date: Thu, Nov 22, 2001 12:47 PM
Subject: Bennett School Park issue
John, the question of purchasing the land across the street from Bennett School has come up several
times in the past. We have a historical memo(s) that describe all the issues in our research of this
purchase. We will find this memo either Friday or Monday and get them to you for the Council discussion
on Tuesday, Nov. 27. In the meantime, I will summarize the issues.
The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan, which has been adopted by the Parks and Recreation Board and
the City Council, defines the goal for the number of park acres for each square mile in the City. The
Parkland Fees collected in each square mile is based on this goal.
The area that contains Bennett school is served by Avery Park and Rolland Moore Community Park. In
addition, a small park will be developed in conjunction with the Gardens at Spring Creek (the City's new
Horticulture Center)in close proximity to Bennett School. The number of park acres provided meets or
exceeds the goal for the Bennett neighborhood.
There is no Parkland funding remaining to create more parks within this area. Any funding for the
purchase, design, development and maintenance of this property would need to come from the General
Fund.
The area served by Avery Park is bound by Shields, Prospect, Taft Hill and Elizabeth. The Bennett
School neighborhood is within these boundaries. When we select a site for a park, we look at many
factors. These include land that is central to the area to be served, ease of access, enough land to
provide sufficient park facilities for the neighborhood, etc. Avery Park was developed many years ago
and meets these criteria.
I don't know yet if the Parks and Recreation Board considered the issue of Bennett School park. We will
find this out before the Council discussion. However, the Board is very aware of the City's policies for
size and placement of neighborhood parks and is very supportive of these policies. The City's impact
fees and Parkland Fund are based on these policies.
While it is always difficult to recommend against additional parkland, staff believes this neighborhood is
well served by parkland currently available. If General Fund monies are available for park uses, other
needs are more critical than additional parkland in this area.
We will provide more information soon.
CC: marty heffernan,dave siever,mike powers,craig fore