PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Chairman and DATE: 10/7/2002 FILE: CAO 03-3203
Members of the Board of
County Commissioners
SUBJECT: Proposed Neighborhood Parks
THROUGH: Robert D. Sumner Ordinance
County Attorney First Public Hearing:
10/15/02-9:30 a.m.-DC
FROM: David A. Goldstein
Assistant County Attorney REFERENCES:
Introduction: 7/16/02, 9:30 a.m., D.C.
It is recommended that the data herein presented be given formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners.
DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS:
Please find for your consideration and first public hearing a Neighborhood Parks Ordinance. Section 4.4 of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (attached) identifies a significant deficiency in Neighborhood Parks in Pasco County. The current Land Development Code does not contain any specific minimum requirements for new residential subdivisions or developments to create and maintain neighborhood parks. The proposed ordinance is intended to modify the Land Development Code to provide minimum Neighborhood Park requirements for new residential developments. Existing subdivisions would not be subject to these minimum requirements.
Under the ordinance, the developers of new residential subdivisions and developments of more than 25 dwelling units will be required to create and maintain at least one (1) upland acre as a Neighborhood Park, plus an additional 1/100 of an acre for each dwelling unit over 100 dwelling units. The ordinance requires the Neighborhood Park(s) to be easily accessible to the residents by automobile, foot and bicycle, and located no more than one half (1/2) mile from fifty percent (50%) of the subdivision lots to be served by the Neighborhood Park (or no more than ¼ mile from 50% of the subdivision lots to be served by the Neighborhood Park if the park is separated from the subdivision by a collector or arterial road). Under the ordinance, Neighborhood Parks may include, but are not limited to, sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, hiking and biking trails, community pools, playgrounds, and other areas where members of the subdivision may congregate for recreational uses; provided a minimum of 25% of the required park acreage, and not less than ½ acre of each Neighborhood Park, must consist of an unpaved open play area without trees and structures that impair open play. The ordinance requires the Neighborhood Park(s) to be maintained by the developer, or a homeowners association, CDD, or open space trust. The requirement to provide Neighborhood Parks is intended to address neighborhood park needs of new residential development, and not district or regional park needs; accordingly, the provision of Neighborhood Parks will not be eligible for park impact fee credits.
ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS:
1. Accept the attached proposed Neighborhood Parks Ordinance.
2. Direct revisions to the attached proposed Neighborhood Parks Ordinance.
The County Attorney’s Office recommends that the Board of County Commissioners accept the attached Neighborhood Parks Ordinance, listen to public comment and hold another final public hearing on this ordinance scheduled for October 29, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, Florida. At the October 29, 2002 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners will be asked to take final action on the Ordinance.
No funding is required for this item.
DAG:ls
Attachment: Proposed Neighborhood Parks Ordinance
Section 4.4 of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
cc: Sam Steffey, Growth Management Administrator
Debra Zampetti, Zoning/Code Compliance Administrator
Cindy Jolly, P.E., Development Director
Jim Slaughter, Parks and Recreation Director
Daniel Johnson, Assistant County Administrator (Public Services)