Item B: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan

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i) The Metro Plan does not require that private recreation facilities be included in the Parks and Open Space inventory. Policy 4 of the Parks and Recreation Facilities Element of the Metro Plan states: "Encourage the development of private recreation facilities." PROS Comprehensive Plan strategies A-16, A-23, A-37, C-2, C-27, H-12, H-16 and H-17 address this Metro Plan policy. 17. Charles Biggs testimony (October 11, 2005) states that he objects to the separation of the proposed projects and priorities from the Comprehensive Plan because the public cannot speak to a plan without reference to the pieces that are the ultimate objectives of that plan. He commented on two projects listed in the Project and Priority Plan: a) Placing a restriction of only addressing the extension of the Greenway Bicycle System after gravel operations have ceased is not necessary. There are well utilized bike paths along existing working gravel mines. b) Adequate public discussion has not been initiated to support the reclassification of a neighborhood Park to a Community Park (Striker Fields). Staff Response: See staff's response to Planning Commission question 10, above. There will be an opportunity to comment on specific projects during the Council Adoption process of the PROS Project and Priority Plan. 18. Zachary Vishanoff testimony (October 11, 2005) spoke about the privatization of parks and sited recent actions at West University Park as an example. Staff Response: See staff's response to Planning Commission question 9, above. 19. John Etter testimony (October 14, 2005) states that previous park plans in 1983 and 1989 looked across political boundaries and there was no problem as financial considerations and willing sellers kept things in check. He expressed conceru that the plan would need assistance to make downtown open space issues occur. An interim zoning plan is recommended. Staff Response: The PROS Comprehensive Plan provides strategies to encourage the development of urban plazas in settings such as the downtown area (Strategy B-25). It does not change the zoning, designation or allowed uses on any properties. 20. Kevin Matthews testimony (October 11, 2005) states that many different inventory methods were used in the PROS Plan and it was confusing. He stated that the plan should address the buildable land issue. Attachment A October 31, 2005 Page 17