REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 1, 2016
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
THROUGH: DAN ZACK, Assistant Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: SOPHIA PAGOULATOS, Planning Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING to consider initiation of the Parks Master Plan by means of a Parks Vision document, pertaining to all land within the City of Fresno Sphere of Influence, filed by the Development and Resource Management Director
1. RESOLUTION - Initiating the Parks Master Plan by means of the Vision Plan and directing staff to continue work on the next phase of the master planning process.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Public hearing to consider initiation of the Parks Master Plan by means of a Parks Vision document, pertaining to all land within the City of Fresno Sphere of Influence, filed by the Development and Resource Management Director
1. RESOLUTION - Initiating the Parks Master Plan by means of the Vision Plan and directing staff to continue work on the next phase of the master planning process.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The project is the initiation of the Parks Master Plan through a Parks Vision document that describes existing conditions, themes, and strategies that were developed through broad public engagement and are recommended as the foundation for the remainder of the parks master planning process. Plan initiation marks an initial milestone in the planning process and allows the public and decision-makers to have early input on the key ideas that will guide the remaining phases of the planning process. The update of the Parks Master Plan is called for in the Fresno General Plan and applies to the area within the Fresno Sphere of Influence.
More information about the Parks Master Plan process can be found at the following link: www.fresno.gov/parksplan <http://www.fresno.gov/parksplan>. Additional opportunities will be provided for public input as the planning process continues in 2017.
BACKGROUND
On December 18, 2014, the City Council adopted the Fresno General Plan. Policy POSS-1-b of the Parks, Open Space and Schools element calls for a Parks Master Plan update. Specifically, the policy calls for an assessment of the existing parks and parkland, an action plan defining priorities for recreational facilities, and identification of opportunities for strategic partnerships and comprehensive financing.
On May 19, 2016, the City Council approved a consultant contract with Wallace, Roberts and Todd to update the Parks Master Plan. Work has been underway on the plan since July of 2016.
Planning Process
The planning process is designed to occur in two phases. The Vision Plan submitted with this report represents the completion of the first Phase and initiation of the Parks Master Plan. The two phases in the planning process are described as follows:
Phase 1 includes data collection, community needs assessment, initial capital improvements evaluation, and Vision Plan.
Phase 2 includes a final capital improvements evaluation, potential funding sources, and the final Parks Master Plan.
Community engagement has been an integral aspect of Phase 1 and will continue in Phase 2.
Community Engagement
A multifaceted approach to community engagement has been utilized in the planning process to connect with a diverse array of Fresno residents and park users. Components of the engagement process include stakeholder meetings, over a dozen mobile workshops, a community workshop, and a community survey. Details are provided in the Vision Plan, attached. Over 600 surveys have been collected to date, and will continue to be collected through the month of November. Spanish translation has been provided at all outreach events, and surveys have been made available in English, Spanish and Hmong.
|
Type of Engagement |
Number of Meetings |
Number of Parks Master Plan participants |
Overall Event Participants |
|
Stakeholder Meetings |
9 |
64 |
|
|
Mobile Workshops |
13 |
425 |
10,000* |
|
Community Workshop |
1 |
35 |
|
|
Survey |
n/a |
600 |
|
*Mobile Workshops were held at larger events sponsored by the City of Fresno PARCS Department, such as the Joint Use events held at schools or annual park events such as Kidsfest, held every October at Holmes Park.
Public Notice
Notice of the Planning Commission and City Council hearings was provided in the Fresno Bee in English and in Vida en el Valle in Spanish. Public notices were also posted as required on the city’s website. In addition, notice of the hearings was provided via email to all of the Parks Master Plan stakeholders and any participant who requested to be added to our email distribution list.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission held a workshop and received public comment on November 16, 2016, with no official action taken. Staff gave a presentation describing the Vision, and 4 members of the public addressed the Commission. The speakers supported the process of the Parks Master Plan, and offered ideas for expanding the vision.
Comments
Hundreds of written comments have been received via the survey and have helped form the basis for the Vision. The comment attached is included with this report because it was received after publication of the public hearing notice and directed to the Planning Commission.
Relationship to Other Plans
Fresno General Plan: The Parks Master Plan update is an implementation measure of the General Plan. The ultimate master plan may recommend additional plan policies and/or park sites, which would require amendment of the General Plan text and/or land use map.
Southwest Fresno Specific Plan: The Parks Master Plan and Southwest Fresno Specific Plan are on similar timelines and relevant information generated by each planning effort is being shared.
Active Transportation Plan: The Active Transportation Plan is underway and includes planning a network of trails, sidewalks and bikeways that serves all residents of Fresno. This plan and the Parks Master Plan are being coordinated to further integrate active transportation with parks, open space and schools. A diagram has been included in Exhibit D that shows the relationship of the two plans.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Environmental review will be completed prior to adoption of the final Parks Master Plan. The current document is a draft vision statement only and requires no further review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as staff can state with certainty that there is no possibility that the draft Vision Plan of the Parks Master Plan may have a significant impact on the environment.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
None at this stage, but the final Parks Master Plan will include funding options, analysis and sources.
Attachments:
Exhibit A: Vision Plan
Exhibit B: Survey
Exhibit C: Comment Letters
Exhibit D: Parks Master Plan/ Active Transportation Plan Diagram
Exhibit E: Resolution
Exhibit F: Powerpoint