Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

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? Option No1: Emphasize Parks Acquisition over Parks Development – . Such an approach focuses on the shrinking inventory of open spaces and undeveloped lands in the two neighborhoods and emphasizes acquiring the land base now and deferring improvements and upgrades to the future. Advantages: Preserves lands now that could be “lost” to other uses if limited City parks resources are “divided” between parks acquisition and development priorities Challenges: Some residents may feel that current parks need to be developed to their potential before new lands are brought into public ownership ? Option No. 2: Emphasize Open Space and Natural Area Acquisitions over more “Active” Park Site Acquisitions - Similar to the preceding option except it puts additional priority on acquiring lands that preserve woodlands, stream corridors, wetlands, etc. as compared to lands that are suitable for development into park sites dedicated to more active uses (everything from playgrounds structures to ball fields). Advantages: Preserves lands now that could be lost if City parks resources are “divided” between active and passive parks acquisition priorities Challenges: Some residents may feel that neighborhood and sports parks are a greater need in the community ? Option No3: City Development Policies - . Adopt new or revised land use and development policies that emphasize open space and natural area preservation and that require new or revised specific types of park and open space protections, set-asides and dedications, impact fees, and integration with other City policies and plans (such as surface water management). Advantages: City could choose to emphasize open spaces and natural areas with its land use regulatory authority Challenges: Local land use authority can only go so far, even if City and regional plans effectively “backstop” such authority; would require a City-wide policy decision ? Option No. 4:Greenway Acquisition and Development - The proximity of both neighborhoods to the river corridor is not necessarily readily apparent. An open space component of a heritage strategy could include developing and improving sites, access, signage, and infrastructure that highlight the river and draw community residents (and citizens from other areas) to this special resource. The river corridor (in conjunction with the UGB) also provides another significant “heritage” function – forming a distinct “green” boundary that tells visitors and residents alike that they have arrived in the River Road and Santa Clara community, a place where river vistas and sense of place is still part of a urbanizing landscape. Advantages: Preserves the most significant open space amenity left in or adjacent to both neighborhoods; potentially provides access to lands and water that can accommodate a wide variety of natural area, passive and active recreation amenities. Challenges: There is no greenway along the Santa Clara section of the river and the location of the river outside of the UGB does not facilitate active City participation in acquisition and development (nor acquisition through development dedications); in both neighborhoods there is considerable development (and in the case of Santa Clara considerable distance) between the river and the north-south River Road arterial; cost of greenway acquisition and improvements What Another Community Has Done The City of Sherwood, Oregon developed a program to preserve in public ownership nearly all of that community’s stream corridor, wetlands, significant woodlot, and vistas, even as it became the fastest 22 River Road/Santa Clara Transition/Heritage White Paper DRAFT 11-24-05 Service provider Review