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Estacada to receive splash pad funding; commission debates new parkland code, SDC credits and access in new subdivisions
Summary
Commissioners heard updates that city council approved funding for a splash pad, discussed Wade Creek park improvements, and examined a recently revised development code requiring parkland dedication after January 2025; commissioners and residents expressed concern about grandfathering and the use of SDC credits for land donations.
Members of the Estacada Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 25 reviewed recent city actions and a substantial code change affecting future housing developments, and raised concerns about how the changes will affect access to parks in new subdivisions.
Commissioners reported that the city council approved funding for a splash pad at a recent meeting; commissioners said the council had approved the amount and the work and that the splash pad should be operational by next summer. The figure mentioned in the meeting transcript was “$178,” but commissioners did not specify the units or scale of that figure during the discussion.
The commission also discussed Wade Creek park improvements. Staff reported a new perimeter fence has been installed around the park area behind the skate park and that crews will remove remnants of an old horseshoe pit and finish site preparation; commissioners asked staff to confirm whether sod, bark chips or another surface will be installed and requested the pavilion/amenity blueprints so the commission can review the finishing plan.
The largest policy discussion reviewed a recent rewrite of the city’s development code for parkland dedication and related system development charges (SDCs). Commissioners and residents said the revised code — written by the planning department and approved at a recent council meeting — will require developers of new subdivisions above a size threshold to set aside land for parks. The commission was told the code will take effect in January 2025 and will apply to developments submitted after that date; developments already approved or underway are not subject to the new requirement.
Commissioners and residents raised two practical concerns: first, that large numbers of homes already under construction (several developments totaling hundreds of houses) will not be required to provide parkland because they were approved before the new code takes effect; second, that the code allows developers to receive SDC credits for the value of land they dedicate, potentially reducing or eliminating their SDC payments. Several commissioners said they opposed allowing a land dedication to fully offset SDCs because the city then receives land without the corresponding SDC revenue to build and maintain parks. The city planner (Alan) presented the code mechanics during a recent council session and is scheduled to meet with parks staff to discuss implementation details.
Commissioners encouraged continued outreach: they want to collect and publish more survey responses showing resident demand for parks and to press developers and council members at planning hearings when upcoming phases come before the council. Commissioners suggested placing survey QR codes on developer materials and soliciting neighborhood help to increase response rates.
No new local ordinances were adopted by the commission at the Sept. 25 meeting; the body requested follow-up information from the planning department (blueprints and maintenance plans) and asked staff to check whether the city’s SDC-credit mechanism can be used strategically to encourage developers to provide parks in areas currently lacking neighborhood play spaces.
