Regular 2.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 10/13/2009
- TITLE
- Public Hearing Amending Resolution 09-18799 Adopting Sahara Park Master Plan
- PRESENTED BY:
- Mike Whitaker
- Department:
- Parks/Rec/Public Lands
Presentation:
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
On September 28, 2009, City Council approved an initiative to return a Resolution approving adoption of the Sahara Park Master Plan to the October 13, 2009, City Council agenda for the purpose of a public hearing, council discussion and possible amendment of the deadlines for Alternates A and B of the master plan.
Sahara Park is a 9.26-acre property that was acquired through parkland dedications of the Sahara Sands Subdivision between 1975 and 1977. The park is bordered on the west by Aronson Avenue and on the north by Caravan Avenue.
The master plan was facilitated in 2008-9 by PRPL Staff with assistance from the Better Billings Foundation. The plan was developed with the intent that Sahara Park would function as a large urban or special use park (on the scale of Pioneer Park) with facilities that would meet the needs of the entire city. The plan's major element includes a Family Aquatic Facility. The master plan has an alternate (known as Alternate Plan B) which is based on the premise that Sahara Park would be developed as a subdivision park. The Alternate B plan includes open spaces for multi-use and programmable activities such as sports and practice areas, a picnic shelter, play structures, volleyball and basketball courts. As this plan with its alternative was being developed, public meetings were held November 20, 2008, and January 15 and 27, 2009, at the Billings Community Center to discuss the master plan and alternative B and receive comments from interested citizens. The plan was presented to the Billings Park, Recreation, and Cemetery Board, at the February 11, 2009, meeting, and the Board voted to recommend adoption of Sahara Park Master Plan to the City Council with the stipulation that the original plan have a 5-year time limit and that Alternate Plan B be considered only after all avenues for development of the Family Aquatic Facility are exhausted through formal agreement with the Better Billings Foundation.
Resolution No. 09-18799 adopting the Sahara Park Master Plan required that an agreement with the Better Billings Foundation for the Foundation's development of the Family Aquatic Center be completed by September 30, 2009, or Alternate B would become the preferred plan. At a September 21, 2009, work session, staff recommended that the City Council extend the agreement deadline by 60 days by amending Resolution 09-18799 at the September 28, 2009, business meeting. The initiative followed.
Sahara Park is a 9.26-acre property that was acquired through parkland dedications of the Sahara Sands Subdivision between 1975 and 1977. The park is bordered on the west by Aronson Avenue and on the north by Caravan Avenue.
The master plan was facilitated in 2008-9 by PRPL Staff with assistance from the Better Billings Foundation. The plan was developed with the intent that Sahara Park would function as a large urban or special use park (on the scale of Pioneer Park) with facilities that would meet the needs of the entire city. The plan's major element includes a Family Aquatic Facility. The master plan has an alternate (known as Alternate Plan B) which is based on the premise that Sahara Park would be developed as a subdivision park. The Alternate B plan includes open spaces for multi-use and programmable activities such as sports and practice areas, a picnic shelter, play structures, volleyball and basketball courts. As this plan with its alternative was being developed, public meetings were held November 20, 2008, and January 15 and 27, 2009, at the Billings Community Center to discuss the master plan and alternative B and receive comments from interested citizens. The plan was presented to the Billings Park, Recreation, and Cemetery Board, at the February 11, 2009, meeting, and the Board voted to recommend adoption of Sahara Park Master Plan to the City Council with the stipulation that the original plan have a 5-year time limit and that Alternate Plan B be considered only after all avenues for development of the Family Aquatic Facility are exhausted through formal agreement with the Better Billings Foundation.
Resolution No. 09-18799 adopting the Sahara Park Master Plan required that an agreement with the Better Billings Foundation for the Foundation's development of the Family Aquatic Center be completed by September 30, 2009, or Alternate B would become the preferred plan. At a September 21, 2009, work session, staff recommended that the City Council extend the agreement deadline by 60 days by amending Resolution 09-18799 at the September 28, 2009, business meeting. The initiative followed.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
Council may:
- Approve a resolution amending Resolution #09-18799 by extending the deadlines of Plan A and B of the Sahara Park Master Plan; or
- Not approve the resolution amending Resolution No#09-18799 extending the deadlines of Plan A and B of the Sahara Park Master Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no immediate financial impact to the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve a resolution amending Resolution #09-18799 by extending the deadline from September 30, 2009, to November 29, 2009, for completion of a Development Agreement with the Better Billings Foundation for construction of a Family Aquatic Facility as part of the Sahara Park Master Plan.