Parkland Dedication Update

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Michael Gaudini
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:46 am

Parkland Dedication Update

Post by Michael Gaudini »

Council Member Leslie Pool would like to give an update on the Parkland Dedication Ordinance and the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) staff’s recommended amendments coming up this week at the Open Space, Environment, and Sustainability Committee on January 27, and at the full Council on January 28.

Please see the attached documents for more information:
• Frequently Asked Questions: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 100640.pdf
• Comparison of Proposed Amendments to Original Draft Ordinance: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 100713.pdf
• PARD Staff Report will be available soon as late back-up.

Council Member Pool, along with many members of our community, recognizes the need for an updated parkland dedication formula and fee structure. If we do not act now, our growing city will only continue to see a downward trend in park availability and a lower level of service in our parks facilities. (See FAQs at the link above for more information.)

The draft ordinance, with the updated formula, passed on first reading last November. Following that hearing, members of the business community expressed concerns that the draft ordinance did not adequately codify PARD’s existing procedures at the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), and that modifications to provide certainty and clarity for the development community about the dedication and fee in-lieu process would be appropriate.

Meetings between PARD leaders, business stakeholders, parks conservancy advocates, and members of the Parks Board resulted in agreement on broad concepts, such as the existing PARD practice of allowing a combination of parkland dedication and fee in-lieu where appropriate.

PARD distilled those broad concepts into the current proposed amendments listed in their staff report (which will be released by PARD as late back-up soon).

Council Member Pool also called a series of meetings with PARD staff, and with the business stakeholders and parks advocates to discuss these broad concepts and the proposed staff amendments. The business stakeholders may still have lingering concerns, and may address those concerns at the full Council meeting where PARD staff will present their recommendations.

Council Member Pool supports the staff-recommended amendments as a reflection of the consensus reached by PARD and the stakeholders over the course of several meetings. She believes that these amendments balance the concerns of individual groups with the broader needs of the Austin community, and urges the full Council to lend their support for to these recommendations as well.

One of the recommendations is to define an “Urban Core” map. There has been a lot of discussion over this proposal. Council Member Pool recognizes that PARD uses these boundaries to measure Park Deficiency, but she anticipates there will be a robust discussion at Council about the significance of this map.

Council Member Pool supports a postponement on Amendment 3 regarding credit for private parkland and amenities. PARD does not yet have the full criteria language available to determine what amenities would be acceptable. Council Member Pool recommends Council wait to review PARD’s criteria after it is written and can be fully vetted by the community and Council.

Finally, Council Member Pool intends to ask for a report back from PARD on how the ordinance and amendments are performing; PARD has offered to return to Council with a report in six months, and again in one year.

For more information on all of the staff recommended amendments, please refer to our FAQ sheet and Comparison Table.
Policy Aide
Office of Leslie Pool, District 7
Michael Gaudini
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:46 am

Re: Parkland Dedication Update

Post by Michael Gaudini »

Council Member Pool would like me to let you know that the staff report has been updated since our last post. Our office has revised our documents to reflect these updates:
• Frequently Asked Questions: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 204319.pdf
• Comparison of Proposed Amendments to Original Draft Ordinance: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 204311.pdf
• PARD's Staff Report on Recommended Amendments: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 204832.pdf

Additionally, Council Member Pool wanted to share this map of parkland in Austin: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 204336.pdf
Policy Aide
Office of Leslie Pool, District 7
Michael Gaudini
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 10:46 am

Re: Parkland Dedication Update

Post by Michael Gaudini »

Apologies -- I forgot to also clarify a numbering change. In my original post, I mentioned that Council Member Pool supports a postpone on the amendment relating to expanding the credit for private parkland and amenities. At that time, that proposal was "Amendment 3."

It is important to note, however, that the numbering of the amendments has changed. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the informational documents listed in my second post on this thread. Thank you!
Policy Aide
Office of Leslie Pool, District 7
Louisa Brinsmade
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:27 pm

Re: Parkland Dedication Update

Post by Louisa Brinsmade »

RE: Parkland Dedication Ordinance - Park Deficiency Map Link

During the Parkland Dedication Ordinance discussion today in the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Council Committee meeting, Council Member Leslie Pool referred to a Park Deficiency Map from the Parks & Recreation Department that would be useful for examining parkland deficiency across the city. The map allows a close look at individual Council districts and neighborhoods.

This map also includes all the "unzoned" property owned by government institutions, such as state- or city-owned land. The color-coding on the legend provides guidance on the different areas depicted.

Please follow this link to view the map: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 205009.pdf
Chief of Staff
Office of Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool, District 7
Louisa Brinsmade
Posts: 76
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:27 pm

Re: Parkland Dedication Update

Post by Louisa Brinsmade »

Re: Item #86 on January 28, 2016 Council agenda

The Parks & Recreation Department provided a better Parkland Deficiency Map this morning with an improved legend and visibility.

This map depicts all the parkland deficient areas throughout the city, in each district and neighborhood. The unzoned government-owned properties are visible as well.

Please use this link to see the map: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 100052.pdf
Chief of Staff
Office of Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool, District 7
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