HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ-6994 Staff AnalysisMarch 22, 2001
ITEM NO.: 10
Owner:
City of Little Rock
Applicant: City of Little Rock Department
of Parks Recreation
Request:
STAFF REPORT:
Rezone City Parks property to
PR, Park and Recreation District
It has been determined that this issue should be dealt with
at a later Commission meeting, perhaps in conjunction with
the Commission's review of the proposed new Master Parks
Plan.
As this item was never legal -added, no action is required of
the Commission.
May 31, 2001
ITEM NO.: 16
Applicant: City of Little Rock Department of
Parks and Recreation
Request: Planning Commission review,
comments and approval of the
recently completed Parks System
Master Plan.
Staff Report:
Little Rock Parks and Recreation is submitting the recently
completed Parks System Master Plan for review, comments and
approval. The Parks System Master Plan is to be utilized in
conjunction with the Park and Recreation Zoning District.
Background:
The last Parks System Master
1983. In late December 1999,
received Board of Directors'
Systems Master Plan. Staff b
as the lead consultant to pre
other specialized firms.
Plan preparation was conducted in
Little Rock Parks and Recreation
approval to update the Parks
ired Wallace, Roberts and Todd, LLC
pare the plan along with three
Simultaneously, Vision Little Rock was kicked off with a
requirement from the Board of Directors to coordinate master
plan preparation with the Vision Little Rock process. As a
result, the consultants were teamed, not only with Parks and
Recreation staff, but also the 45 member Parks and Recreation
Work Group of Vision Little Rock. The team planning process
began in January 2000.
Four public meetings were held to solicit citizen input and
develop a citizen -driven plan. This information was coupled
with existing conditions, problems and needs, and research of
future trends in the industry and parks has a mechanism to
address issues in developing cities. A vision was created and
supporting goals established. This led to the policy framework
and action statements that will guide Little Rock Parks and
Recreation for the next ten to twenty years.
Staff Recommendation:
Approval of the Parks System Master Plan.
May 31, 2001
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.)
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: (MAY 31, 2001)
Mark Webre was present, representing the Department of Parks and
Recreation. Mr. Webb introduced the Master Plan and gave a
brief history of the process that lead to the creation of the
new Plan.
Commissioner Adcock asked if an effort would be made to maintain
the City's existing Parks. Mr. Webre responded that plans were
to upgrade 5 parks per year. He stated the Parks Department
would work with each neighborhood prior to finalizing plans for
the upgrading of each park.
Commissioner Berry asked if the Plan included a map that showed
future park sites. Mr. Webre responded that the strategy was to
have a park within 8 blocks of every residence. He stated the
Plan did include a map that showed areas that are currently
underserved.
Commissioner Berry asked if there was a plan to acquire new park
space in areas yet to be developed. He commented that it would
be a good plan to acquire and preserve undisturbed open space.
Mr. Webre responded that the Parks Department had an aggressive
acquisition program and was asking the Board of Directors to
dedicate $1,000,000.00 per year to that program. He stated the
Parks Department was also looking at the feasibility of a park
dedication fee to be associated with new subdivision
development. Commissioner Berry commented that the State
Enabling Act did allow cities to require the dedication of
parkland.
In response to a question from Commissioner Berry, Mr. Webre
responded that there was no mention of recreation and
conservation districts in the new Plan.
Commissioner Berry noted that under the current Parks Plan, the
City was faced with the choice of acquiring property designated
as Parks by the Plan each time there was a land use issue on
such a site. He asked if the new Plan had such a requirement.
Mr. Webre responded that it did not. He reiterated that the
City Parks Department would still pursue an aggressive
acquisition policy. Jim Lawson, Director of Planning and
Development, interjected that there were advantages to the "old"
process in that sites were readily identified as potential park
sites.
2
May 31, 2001
SUBDIVISION
ITEM NO.: 16 (Cont.)
Ruth Bell, of the League of Women Voters, stated it would be
helpful to know where private recreation uses are located and
how they fit in the new Plan. Mr. Webre responded that his
department did track those private uses. He stated the
recreation division of the Parks Department was locating,
contacting and meeting with the owners of those private uses.
Mr. Webre emphasized that the partnership between the City and
those private recreation uses was necessary.
Several commissioners complimented Mr. Webre's Department on the
creation of the new Plan.
A motion was then made to approve the proposed new Master Parks
Plan. The motion was approved by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 noes and
3 absent and 1 open position.
3