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PLANNING & ZONING AGENDA ITEM REVIEW FORM |
4.C.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/13/2024
- Submitted By:
- Jose A. Guzman, Director of Development Services, Development Services
ITEM:
Public hearing followed by discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding P&Z Case No. 2023-0002. A request by the City of San Luis to consider the adoption of the San Luis Parks, Paths & Trails Master Plan. (ITEM CONTINUED FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING HELD APRIL 11, 2023.)
A. Open Public Hearing
1. Staff presentation
2. Call to the Public on this item
B. Action to continue Public Hearing
A. Open Public Hearing
1. Staff presentation
2. Call to the Public on this item
B. Action to continue Public Hearing
SUMMARY:
This item was continued from the April 11, 2023, Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. The updated draft was received by the consultant which included the recommendations from City Council, including Dog Parks, Exercise Equipment, and requirements for land dedication for parks on residential development. However, we are still working on amending the maps to reflect the current growth and observations made by the Commission. Staff will bring back this item to the Commission on their regular meeting scheduled for March 12, 2024, for a recommendation to City Council. This will give the Commission time to review the plan and staff to finalize the maps and any input from the stakeholders.
THE PLAN:
A well-planned system of parks, paths, and trails supports the active lifestyles of residents and contributes to the overall health of the community. As the City of San Luis grows and matures, additional park space, on-street bike, and pedestrian facilities, and off-street trails will become increasingly necessary to maintain a high quality of life for current and future residents.
The San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trails Plan envisions an interconnected system of parks, on-street bike, and pedestrian facilities, and off-street trails accessible to all residents. Broadly, the purpose of the San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trail Plan is to:
The approach for the development and formation of the San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trails Master Plan (the Plan) consisted of five key tasks, summarized as follows.
Relevant Plans and Studies Review
The following information relative to the existing parks and active transportation facilities in the City of San Luis was obtained and used in the development of the San Luis Parks, Paths and Trails Plan,
including:
Demographic features of the community including population, gender, age, income, race and ethnicity, were analyzed to identify demographic and park trends. This analysis delineated market areas served by the park system and distinguished customer groups to determined changes occurring in San Luis. The results of this analysis served as the basis for a Service Area Analysis. Trends identified in the base demographic data were applied to the local populace to determine potential participation base within the community. The development of the Parks, Paths and Trails Plan was also guided by research of trends related to San Luis, surrounding communities and national, regional, and local lifestyle trends.
Community Engagement
The planning process to develop the San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trail Plan involved meaningful participation from stakeholders and residents utilizing the following methods.
Stakeholder interviews were conducted to gather candid perspectives on the park, path, and trail networks in San Luis. The interviews were held on February 17 and 24, 2021. A total of 12 stakeholders were interviewed on Zoom, representing various agencies in the region, including: public school districts, Desert Sonora, San Luis Regional Support and Detention Center, Bureau of Reclamation, J2, and Yuma County Public Health.
Key topics covered during the interviews included parks, specifically, where they should be located, the type of parks that are needed in San Luis, and the types of amenities that should be included in parks; and the types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are needed to support connectivity throughout the city. Specific comments relative to the parks, paths and trails systems, when appropriate, were incorporated into the final master plan.
Focus Group Meetings
Two community Focus Groups were held to explore specific approaches and strategies for the development of a robust parks, paths and trails systems to serve the future needs of the community. The two community Focus Groups included public officials and private individuals with appropriate background and experience relative to parks, paths and trails, and are summarized below.
Land Use Focus Group
The Land Use Focus Group included public officials from the Bureau of Reclamation, Arizona State Land Department, Bureau of Land Management, and the San Luis Parks and Recreation Department. The Land Use Focus Group discussed approaches and strategies to facilitate the development of a comprehensive parks, paths and trails system to serve San Luis, including public /private partnerships, shared use agreements between educational facilities and the City of San Luis, and the use of existing processes with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) for the development of parks, paths, and trails on BOR public lands.
Transportation Focus Group
The Transportation Focus Group included primarily public officials from the City’s Public Works Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Public Service, Yuma County Water Users Association, and the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Transportation Focus Group discussed approaches and strategies to facilitate the development of a comprehensive and connected network of future paths and trails to serve the City of San Luis as it grows into the future. The Transportation Focus Group primarily recommended coordination of the development of the paths and trails network with the development of the vehicular roadway system, and coordination and requirements for private development to provide identified paths and trails system improvements by this plan.
Community Meetings
Community Meeting #1
The first community meeting was held on February 24, 2021 at 6 p.m. over Zoom. In total, 31 community members attended this meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the Parks, Paths & Trails Master Plan. Topics covered included the components, goal, and timeline for the project; background on the inception of the project; and some initial cross sections, which illustrate widths of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members of the community to provide input on their preferences for bicycle, pedestrian, and park facilities. This was done through polling that was conducted throughout the presentation.
Community Meeting #2
The second community meeting was held on March 3, 2021 at 6 p.m. over Zoom. A total of 29 community members attended this meeting.
Similar to the first community meeting, the purpose of this meeting was to provide an overview of the Parks, Paths & Trails Master Plan and covered the same background information as the first community meeting. The meeting provided an opportunity for members of the community to provide more specific input on their preferences for the park system in San Luis, which was done through polling conducted throughout the presentation.
Financial Analysis
An overview analysis was completed of existing funding to meet existing needs and projected funding to meet future needs of San Luis as it grows and develops into the future. Other sources of funding were explored including levies and bonds, and strategies for land acquisition. The analysis examined the current management and funding system to identify areas of improvement, including alternative funding and partnerships.
Inventory and Level of Service Analysis
A detailed inventory and assessment were completed of all parks owned and maintained by the City of San Luis. The assessment provided a detailed summary of site improvements present at each facility location, condition assessment, and recommendations for improvement. Existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities were assessed for connectivity, and safety. ADA access, and other attributes to establish a base of existing facilities.
Recommendations and Implementation Plan
The final element of the plan was to summarize the action steps needed to implement the plan findings and recommendations including responsible party, funding sources, timeframes, and partnerships. An Action Plan was established of funding mechanisms for improvements for parks, paths, and trails to serve the community.
THE PLAN:
A well-planned system of parks, paths, and trails supports the active lifestyles of residents and contributes to the overall health of the community. As the City of San Luis grows and matures, additional park space, on-street bike, and pedestrian facilities, and off-street trails will become increasingly necessary to maintain a high quality of life for current and future residents.
The San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trails Plan envisions an interconnected system of parks, on-street bike, and pedestrian facilities, and off-street trails accessible to all residents. Broadly, the purpose of the San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trail Plan is to:
- Guide decision-making relative to future parks, paths, and trails.
- Gather residents’ preferences regarding parks, paths, and trails.
- Understand the current level of service of parks, paths, and trails in the community and identify the desired future level of service.
- Evaluate available resources, funding opportunities, and potential partnerships to support the development of an enhanced parks, paths, and trails system.
- Establish an implementable action plan to achieve the community’s vision for parks, paths, and trails.
The approach for the development and formation of the San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trails Master Plan (the Plan) consisted of five key tasks, summarized as follows.
Relevant Plans and Studies Review
The following information relative to the existing parks and active transportation facilities in the City of San Luis was obtained and used in the development of the San Luis Parks, Paths and Trails Plan,
including:
- Parks and active transportation inventory
- Service Providers
- Policies and procedures relative to parks and active transportation
- Previous planning studies and plans
- Comparative Analysis
Demographic features of the community including population, gender, age, income, race and ethnicity, were analyzed to identify demographic and park trends. This analysis delineated market areas served by the park system and distinguished customer groups to determined changes occurring in San Luis. The results of this analysis served as the basis for a Service Area Analysis. Trends identified in the base demographic data were applied to the local populace to determine potential participation base within the community. The development of the Parks, Paths and Trails Plan was also guided by research of trends related to San Luis, surrounding communities and national, regional, and local lifestyle trends.
Community Engagement
The planning process to develop the San Luis Parks, Paths, and Trail Plan involved meaningful participation from stakeholders and residents utilizing the following methods.
- Stakeholder Interviews
- Focus Group Workshops
- Community-wide Workshops
- Commission and Council Hearings
Stakeholder interviews were conducted to gather candid perspectives on the park, path, and trail networks in San Luis. The interviews were held on February 17 and 24, 2021. A total of 12 stakeholders were interviewed on Zoom, representing various agencies in the region, including: public school districts, Desert Sonora, San Luis Regional Support and Detention Center, Bureau of Reclamation, J2, and Yuma County Public Health.
Key topics covered during the interviews included parks, specifically, where they should be located, the type of parks that are needed in San Luis, and the types of amenities that should be included in parks; and the types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are needed to support connectivity throughout the city. Specific comments relative to the parks, paths and trails systems, when appropriate, were incorporated into the final master plan.
Focus Group Meetings
Two community Focus Groups were held to explore specific approaches and strategies for the development of a robust parks, paths and trails systems to serve the future needs of the community. The two community Focus Groups included public officials and private individuals with appropriate background and experience relative to parks, paths and trails, and are summarized below.
Land Use Focus Group
The Land Use Focus Group included public officials from the Bureau of Reclamation, Arizona State Land Department, Bureau of Land Management, and the San Luis Parks and Recreation Department. The Land Use Focus Group discussed approaches and strategies to facilitate the development of a comprehensive parks, paths and trails system to serve San Luis, including public /private partnerships, shared use agreements between educational facilities and the City of San Luis, and the use of existing processes with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) for the development of parks, paths, and trails on BOR public lands.
Transportation Focus Group
The Transportation Focus Group included primarily public officials from the City’s Public Works Department, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Public Service, Yuma County Water Users Association, and the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Transportation Focus Group discussed approaches and strategies to facilitate the development of a comprehensive and connected network of future paths and trails to serve the City of San Luis as it grows into the future. The Transportation Focus Group primarily recommended coordination of the development of the paths and trails network with the development of the vehicular roadway system, and coordination and requirements for private development to provide identified paths and trails system improvements by this plan.
Community Meetings
Community Meeting #1
The first community meeting was held on February 24, 2021 at 6 p.m. over Zoom. In total, 31 community members attended this meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an overview of the Parks, Paths & Trails Master Plan. Topics covered included the components, goal, and timeline for the project; background on the inception of the project; and some initial cross sections, which illustrate widths of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members of the community to provide input on their preferences for bicycle, pedestrian, and park facilities. This was done through polling that was conducted throughout the presentation.
Community Meeting #2
The second community meeting was held on March 3, 2021 at 6 p.m. over Zoom. A total of 29 community members attended this meeting.
Similar to the first community meeting, the purpose of this meeting was to provide an overview of the Parks, Paths & Trails Master Plan and covered the same background information as the first community meeting. The meeting provided an opportunity for members of the community to provide more specific input on their preferences for the park system in San Luis, which was done through polling conducted throughout the presentation.
Financial Analysis
An overview analysis was completed of existing funding to meet existing needs and projected funding to meet future needs of San Luis as it grows and develops into the future. Other sources of funding were explored including levies and bonds, and strategies for land acquisition. The analysis examined the current management and funding system to identify areas of improvement, including alternative funding and partnerships.
Inventory and Level of Service Analysis
A detailed inventory and assessment were completed of all parks owned and maintained by the City of San Luis. The assessment provided a detailed summary of site improvements present at each facility location, condition assessment, and recommendations for improvement. Existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities were assessed for connectivity, and safety. ADA access, and other attributes to establish a base of existing facilities.
Recommendations and Implementation Plan
The final element of the plan was to summarize the action steps needed to implement the plan findings and recommendations including responsible party, funding sources, timeframes, and partnerships. An Action Plan was established of funding mechanisms for improvements for parks, paths, and trails to serve the community.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A. I MOVE TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING
1. Staff presentation
2. Call to the public on this item
B. I MOVE TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING P&Z CASE NO. 2021-0340 TO THE NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULED PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING, TO BE HELD ON MARCH 12, 2024 AT 6:00 P.M. HERE AT CITY HALL.
1. Staff presentation
2. Call to the public on this item
B. I MOVE TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING P&Z CASE NO. 2021-0340 TO THE NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULED PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING, TO BE HELD ON MARCH 12, 2024 AT 6:00 P.M. HERE AT CITY HALL.