Youth First: Proposed Basketball Court on City Owned Land

A portion of the City owned property located at 6701 Highway 10 is currently being lease by Youth First Community of Promise (see attached lease agreement).  Youth First also uses a portion of green-field city owned property located directly SE, and adjacent to, 6701 Highway 10.  Youth First uses the green-field area for various outdoor youth activities (activities ancillary to their primary use at 6701).

Youth First has recently approached staff about constructing a small basketball court on the green-field site (see attached request).

Staff believes the proposed use is generally consistent with the existing use of the green-field area, and is comfortable supporting the request with the following in mind:

• The existing lease should be formally amended to include this proposed new use.
• Youth First should know this basketball court, and other uses of the green-field area, could conflict with future Highway 10 improvements, and may result in the loss of Youth First investment.
• If the basketball court is proposed closer to Highway 10, compared to the existing soccer field, staff will strongly recommend the requirement of a safety fence.

Staff would make the following general notes:

• The proposed use doesn't appear to trigger the need for a formal site plan review, plat, or LRRWMO permit.
• Youth First is seeking high-level comfort from the City to pursue this project at this time (not formal or detailed). 
• The next step for Youth First is to complete fundraising for this project (better planning docs and construction costs).
• Once Youth First completes their formal planning process and fundraising, they will bring back a case for formal Council consideration (assumed May/ June).  That would include a formal lease amendment.
• This case was originally intended for the Council Workession on 01/09 or 01/23.  However, both meeting agendas were filled up.  And, staff is attempting to reply to Youth First within a reasonable timeframe.

See staff recommendation section and attached powerpoint.