Receive Update on Discussions for the Potential Expansion for Loral I Armstrong Delaney Central Park

This topic report has two components:

1. Report to City Council on the status of discussions on potential expansion of Central Park; and
2. Request for feedback on future land use of the vacant land East of the park

Staff recommends that the work session discussion follow this sequence, separating the two subjects. General consensus direction is appropriate on both topics, with future discussions reviewing more detailed plans. 

Loral I Armstrong Delaney Central Park Expansion

On January 14, 2021, the Park & Recreation Commission discussed the potential purchase of approximately 11 acres of raw land east of Loral I Armstrong Central Park for expansion.  The present owner, St. Katharine Drexel Church indicated an offer to sell this land to the City. Also, the Owner indicated that there was apparent interest from a residential developer. The Commission's recommendation was direction to Staff to develop a park plan to guide Park Dedication discussions for the future development that accomplished the following:

1. Yield additional athletic field space
2. Improve access and parking for Loral I Delaney Armstrong Central Park

Following the Commissions direction to 'ghost plat' the property to see what residential land use patterns might look like, along with Park Dedication/Park Expansion, Staff worked with the Owner to develop a series of land use concepts.  Attached are two diagrams of potential land use and residential street scenarios that demonstrate additional park field space with improved public access and parking.  It is important to note that the concepts are not the only configurations that may be tenable for park expansion concurrent with the subdivision of land.

At the February 11th Park & Recreation Commission meeting, five alternatives were deliberated, relative to the original question on the proposed purchase of approximately 11 acres to expand Central Park (for $517,000) these were:

• Take no action at this time (formally or informally decline)
• Purchase 11 acres without a plan for the land's use
• Attempt to negotiate different terms or acreage for a purchase
• Attempt to negotiate the dedication of land to be credited against future Park Dedication
• Designate minimum expectations and goals for a park expansion to satisfy future Park Dedication obligations, to be met before or no later than the time of the subdivision of land east of the park. 

By Motion, the Park & Recreation Commission's recommendation to City Council was that, 'the future subdivision of land east of Loral I Armstrong Delaney Central Park include a park expansion consisting of a minimum of two new areas for flex-use athletic fields, additional public access and parking, to be considered as fulfilling Park Dedication obligations'.

Future Development of Saint Katharine Drexel Remnant Parcel

Also on February 11th, the Planning Commission held a Special Work Session which included the subject of residential land use considerations for the St. Katharine Drexel church property. Generally, only 'high level' concepts were discussed, with no apparent clear consensus on desired residential densities (one aspect of the discussion).  Since then, the Owner has submitted the attached Concept Plan and desires Council feedback on proposal. The Planning Commission has not yet seen the current concept plan. The revised concept plan is in response to concerns raised by the Planning Commission when asked about level of support for attached townhomes. There did not appear to be sufficient support to move forward with an attached townhome concept, resulting in the current concept for detached single-family homes on smaller lots. The proposed lot sizes (55 foot wide) would require a Zoning Amendment. This is not a formal Sketch Plan submission.

The primary focus of this case should focus on the potential expansion of the park, taking up to 15 minutes for consensus direction.
 
The Planning Commission appreciates any high-level direction regarding future land use on the remnant church parcel including, but not limited to support/lack of support for 55 foot wide lots instead of 80 foot wide lots. 

Funding for any potential land purchase this case discusses would be from the Park Trust Fund (expansion). In the alternative, the City may receive park land through the subdivision process, including dedication of land at the time of development OR purchase in advance of development with credit towards future park dedication obligations. 

Feedback on on residential land use alternatives for the church property does not require funding considerations.

Parks & Assistant. Public Works Superintendent Riverblood (park expansion)

Deputy City Administrator Gladhill (future land use)

St. Kathe\arine Drexel Catholic Church is expected to have a representative(s) available to speak to their proposal for future residential land use on their property. It is noted that both the Planning Commission Chair and Vice-Chair also represent Saint Katharine Drexel on their future building plans. 

By consensus, acknowledge the Park & Recreation Commission's recommendation to City Council that, "the future subdivision of land east of Loral I Armstrong Delaney Central Park include a park expansion consisting of two new areas for flex-use athletic fields, additional public access and parking, to be considered as fulfilling Park Dedication obligations."

Provide general feedback to church representatives on future residential options on their property (appropriate densities).