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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4A - Public hearing and consideration of a motion approving and recommending to City Council the accCITY OF BOULDER PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM MEETING DATE: January 29, 2007 AGENDA TITLE: Public hearing and consideration of a motion approving and recommending to City Council the acceptance of a pazk site donation for a neighborhood pocket pazk, located at 2450 Bluff, approximately 10,359 square feet or 0.237 acres. PRESENTERS: Jan Geden, CPRP, Director, Parks and Recreation Alice Guthrie, Pazks and Planning Superintendent Mike Gurrola, Park Planner EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In 2003 the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and Whittier neighborhood homeowners expressed an interest in a property that was for sale, and an opportunity to acquire a pocket park site. The proposed pocket park was originally a right-of-way for 24th Street and is sometimes referred to as the Lamun property, the Toadstool Playhouse, Peanut Butter Players, YWCA, Bungalows at Mapleton Pazk or pome site. Neighbors who spoke in favor of this acquisition at the February 24, 2003 PRAB meeting included Crystal Gray, Don Mock, David Newman, Christine Arden, and Judy Gilbert. Four PRAB members also affirmed an interest in this pazcel. Since that time city of Boulder staff has negotiated with the developer Michael Boyers of Del Maz Interests, LLC to acquire that parcel of land. The City Council will need to formally approve the acquisition of this property pursuant to Secrion 163 of the City Charter. Prior to City Council a recommendarion by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Boazd, Planning Boazd is required. A mutually agreed upon amount of $16,200 has been received by the city of Boulder for future park maintenance. The construcrion of the pazk site is almost complete. The developer has installed a concrete walk, turf, shrubs and trees. Benches remain to be installed. The proposed pazkland does not have a formal name and that naming process will require PRAB review and approval. The developer has complied with the Notice of Disposition requirements and dedication and development requirements of the site from the Pazks and Recreation Department. AGENDA ITEM #4A PAGE 1 Key Issue Identification: There has been neighborhood and PRAB interest for this site for years. This land is being donated to the city and there aze maintenance funds auailable from the developer. Approval and acceptance of this parcel is a final step in the pocket pazk establishment process. These sites are hazd to find and small but can add to the urban environment. The transformation of this site has been a priority with the neighbars, Planning Board, and City Council members since the 1990's. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staffrecommends that the PRAB approve and recommend to Planning Board and City Council approval of the acceptance of the donation of property at 2450 Bluff for a neighborhood pocket pazk. BOARD AND COMMISSION FEEDBACK: The Planning Board and City Council has supported acquisition of this site in the past. COUNCIL FILTER IMPACTS: Economic: This site was a vacated right-of-way. As such, there aze numerous buried utilities that would make this site less desirable or buildable for a developer. There are no lrnown impacts to the business community other than potential increased real estate value to the neazby neighborhood. Funds for maintenance (staff and equipment) will be required at this site. Environmental: Maintenance staff will access this site with a truck and trailer during the summer for turf care purposes and in the winter for snow removal. Gasoline fuel or biodiesel will be used in these vehicles. In an effort to conserve resources and promote zero waste, there are no cunent plans for any trash or recycle containers at this site since this would require additional staff vehicle trips. The existing trees will provide shade during the summer months. Social: This is public pocket park and will be used primarily by residents in a three to five block area. The site will provide an opportunity for the neighbors to gather in a common area. Benches will be provided for resting or conversation as needed or desired. OTHERIMPACTS: • City staff and the developer have agreed upon an amount of $16,200.This estimate is based upon five years of required maintenance at this site. No new dollars are requested for this site at this time. • There are other city parks in the vicinity. This site will be added to the normal work plan. No additional staff is anticipated. • Parks staff will work with neighbars to identify potential volunteers to adopt this park. PUBLIC FEEDBACK: The comments heard from neighbors were supportive about this site becoming a pocket park in 2003 AGENDA ITEM #4A PAGE 2 ANALYSIS: The surrounding development was originally planned for six units, but was approved for five units after negotiations with neighbors and city staff. The proposed pocket park was originally right-of-way for 24th Street. The right-of-way was vacated in the 1980's, the property was conveyed to the owner of the dome, Boys Club of Boulder, and later conveyed to YWCA and then "The Peanut Butter Playhouse." This right-of-way has a use restriction based on an agreement with adjacent owners that it would be used for open space and park purposes only. The restriction was placed by adjacent owners in exchange for transferring the property to Boys Club, rather than adjacent owners. When the developer purchased the property, the restriction was in question and he negotiated with the neighbors to retain the non-use easement with the understanding that five units would be requested for development south of the alley. The PRAB is being asked to formally accept this parcel. Acceptance will enable the Planning Board and City Council to move forward on this pocket park acquisition. NEXT STEPS: Pending PRAB approval, staff will proceed to Planning Board and then City Council. The Planning Board meeting will be February or March based on current schedule. The City Council will be asked to formally accept the deed in March ar April at the earliest. Planning and Development Services will hold the deed and financial guarantee until the city formally approves the acquisition of the property pursuant to the City Charter. The city's acceptance of the deed will only be legally effective upon City Council approval. The proposed parkland does not have a formal name and that naming process will proceed through the advertisement process and PRAB review and approval. This is tentatively planned for later 2007. Approved By: Jan Geden, Department Director ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Vicinity Map Attachment B: Location Map AGENDA ITEM #4A PAGE 3 ATTACHMENT A VICINITY MAP ~T1Feet ~~-y OF BOVI.~ER 0114J0 460 690 920 PARKS & RECREATION N Attachment A AGE\DA ITEM #4A PAGE 4 ATTACHMENT B L~CATION MAP N nnr-u~F..~ a,mo ao co eo ~~ WQ `<~ o - o W ~ E i n ~ r 7 ~ a~= ~ PARKS & RECREATION Attachment B AGE\DA ITEVI #4A PAGE 5 CITY OF BOVLDER