Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2014-23:  An ordinance of the City of Flagstaff setting aside specific City owned property for inclusion in Buffalo Park and restricting the land to uses and improvements consistent with a passive park (Neighborwoods) and authorizing staff to rezone the parcel to reflect its new designation. (Designating property at the north end of San Francisco as Open Space)

After a significant public process and City Council discussion, on January 21st, 2014 the Council approved Resolution 2014-04 which provided city staff with the direction to bring a parcel of land identified as Assessor's Parcel Number 110-03-001B forward for consideration and possible action to preserve it as open space.  The City of Flagstaff  Regional Plan and the 1998 Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan provide for different types of land designation and use that are open space appropriate and consistent with open space values.  After internal staff discussion it was determined that because the parcel was adjacent to Buffalo Park there were financial and logistical benefits for the Parks Section to oversee the ongoing maintenance of the parcel as long as the parcel was designated as a passive park, which is considered a form of open space, and not utilized as an active park, which is not.   This idea was brought to the Open Space Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission and both bodies supported the designation. 

The designation of the parcel in this manner is revocable by a future City Council through the adoption of an ordinance repealing ordinance 2014-23; however this is believed to be the strongest protection available without the City of Flagstaff giving up control of the parcel.  The designation by Ordinance and subsequent rezoning will make any changes subject to multiple public processes which will provide opportunities for public discussion. 

The parcel is located on the Northeast corner of the intersection of Fir Avenue and San Francisco Street.

The incorporation of the parcel into Buffalo Park will have two financial impacts. 

 The first financial consideration is that the City will be responsible for reimbursing the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) for the value of the parcel.  The City of Flagstaff budgets a  general fund transfer to HURF each year and will use that general fund transfer as the payment toward the value of the parcel.  Currently the parcel has an assessed value of $835,589, however once the parcel is restricted to passive park use and rezoned the market value will potentially decrease.
 
The second financial impact is ongoing maintenance costs incurred by Parks.  The restriction of the land to use as a passive park significantly limits activities and improvements beyond invasive weed removal, litter removal, potential but currently unplanned trail construction and maintenance, signage, and parking so maintenance costs will remain relatively low.  General maintenance of the passive portions of Buffalo Park currently costs approximately $50 per acre, but without the addition of improvements it is anticipated that this number could be lower for the parcel being designated.

COUNCIL GOALS:

11. Effective governance

REGIONAL PLAN:

REC 1 - Maintain and grow the region's healthy system of convenient and accessible parks, recreation facilities, and trails.

OS 1 - The region has a system of open lands, such as undeveloped natural areas, wildlife corridors and habitat areas, trails, access to public lands and greenways to support the natural environment that sustains our quality of life, cultural heritage, and ecosystem health. 

City Council approved Resolution 2014-04 which provided staff with direction regarding the disposition of 17 City owned parcels.  That direction included this parcel being brought forward for consideration of a designation as open space.

1) Approve Ordinance 2014-23 and designate parcel 110-01-003B as open space by making it a part of Buffalo Park.
2) Not approve Ordinance 2014-23 and provide staff additional direction regarding the intended disposition of the parcel.
3) Not approve Ordinance 2014-23.

The parcel was originally purchased with transportation funding for the potential use in the construction a road.  The road is no longer intended for the area and the parcel has been vacant.  City staff performed an inventory of City land and this parcel was brought forward from that process for City Council discussion and to receive guidance regarding its potential uses and disposition.  After significant public input and discussion City Council provided direction, memorialized in Resolution 2014-04, that city staff bring the parcel forward for consideration of preservation as open space.

Per the City of Flagstaff Regional Plan and the Flagstaff  Area Greenways and Open Space Plan there are a number of potential uses and designations for land that qualify as open space.  As the parcel is adjacent to Buffalo Park there were financial and logistical benefits to designating the parcel as a passive park and incorporating it into Buffalo Park.  Staff brought this intention to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Commission and both bodies were supportive of the strategy.

Should City Council approve Ordinance 2014-23 staff will further protect the parcel by rezoning it to reflect its passive park use and designation.
 

On January 21, 2014 Council approved Resolution 2014-04 which provided direction to staff to bring this parcel forward for preservation as open space.

A passive park is considered a form of open space and this parcel, as a passive park, would best fit the category of Neighborwoods from the 1998 Flagstaff Area Open Space and Greenways Plan.

The parcel was originally intended for a road and there will be a need for repayment of the property value to the HURF funds, however it appears that over the next years that value will be able to be achieved through budgeted general fund transfers the City is currently anticipating.  The assessed value of the parcel is $835,589, however that value may decrease after the restrictions and rezoning are approved.

The public comment related to this parcel demonstrated significant community interest in its disposition and it was recommended for preservation by the Open Space Commission.

According to the City of Flagstaff Regional Plan and the Flagstaff Open Space and Greenways Plan, parks and open spaces provide significant community benefit and are a value for Flagstaff.  The designation of this parcel as a passive park and its inclusion into Buffalo Park will increase the land within the City preserved towards that benefit and protect a parcel considered of high value by the Open Space Commission and many members of the public.

Involve

Approve Ordinance 2014-23 and designate parcel 110-01-003B as open space by making it a part of Buffalo Park.  This will preserve the parcel as open space and as a park and protect it from other uses.

Not approve Ordinance 2014-23 and provide staff additional direction regarding the intended disposition of the parcel.  This action will provide staff additional guidance regarding City Council's desired disposition and will require additional time for revision. 

Not approve Ordinance 2014-23.  This action will maintain the parcel as vacant and unprotected land.