Title
Public Outreach Process Regarding a Potential New Off-Leash Dog Park
Recommended Action
Staff Recommendation:
Review and comment on the public outreach and decisionmaking process for a potential new City off-leash dog park at 3537 7th Avenue NW.
Body
Issue:
Determine whether to proceed with a public outreach process regarding a potential new City off-leash dog park at 3537 7th Ave. NW.
Staff Contact:
David Hanna, Associate Director, Parks, Arts & Recreation Department, 753.8020
Presenter(s):
David Hanna
Background and Analysis:
The City opened an off-leash dog area (OLDA) in Sunrise Park on October 14, 2010. It was in operation until February 1, 2013 when it was permanently closed. The facility was very popular with users, but was closed due to its negative impacts on immediately-adjoining neighbors.
On April 25, 2012, the city convened a 10-member citizen task force to assist staff identify a replacement OLDA site. Twenty potential sites were identified, visited and assessed against site selection criteria developed by the task force. Four sites were selected and prioritized for further examination by staff. Unfortunately, subsequent discussions with the landowners indicated that none were interested in leasing their property to the City.
Since that time, staff has continued the search for a suitable site for a replacement OLDA. A potential site has recently been identified at 3537 7th Ave. NW. It is a 2.94-acre, triangular-shaped parcel adjacent to State Hwy.101. The property is relatively level and offers a mix of cleared and wooded areas. Staff has been in discussion with the property owner, who is interested in leasing the property to the City for this use for a three-year period. Staff has prepared a draft conceptual site plan for the facility. Staff is confident the site location and the draft conceptual design proposed will positively address the concerns encountered during our Sunrise Park OLDA experience.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None have been identified at this time. Attached is the proposed "Off-leash Dog Park Review Process." Planning staff from Community Planning & Development and Parks, Arts and Recreation propose to conduct a public meeting to present the draft concept plan and solicit public input. Adjacent neighbors within 300 feet will be notified about the meeting, as well as people who have attended previous public meetings on this topic and/or have communicated with us through this process. Staff would subsequently report back to the LUEC with the meeting results of the outreach effort.
Options:
Discuss and provide guidance.
Financial Impact:
Council approved $100,000 in funding in the 2012 CFP to lease and construct a new off-leash dog park. Should the project ultimately receive Council approval, the project budget is sufficient to cover the lease fee for the three-year period and construct the necessary capital improvements.