Parks staff to seek zoning variance to finish overlook before ARPA deadline

Parks staff said they will petition the zoning board in early November to change the required offset for existing buildings so an overlook, restroom and shelter can be completed this calendar year using ARPA funds.

Board members heard that the current setback for existing buildings is “too close to the right of way,” and staff said the oversight must be corrected through the zoning board before the overlook project can be finished and before the ARPA-funded work must be closed out this year.

The department reported it will begin constructing the walkway and gangway portions of the overlook while awaiting zoning approval. Staff framed the zoning petition as a prerequisite to finish the remaining overlook elements and noted the project’s funding source — American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money — requires completion within the calendar year.

Discussion: staff emphasized the need to file with the zoning board in early November and to proceed with site work (walkway and gangway) in the interim. No formal vote was taken at the meeting; staff characterized the step as obtaining the zoning board’s change to the offset requirement before finalizing structures.

Staff also confirmed that finishing the overlook hinges on the zoning outcome; if the zoning change is not granted in time, the construction sequence and ARPA timeline could be affected. The meeting transcript did not record a formal motion, vote, or a revised contract schedule.

The board did not provide additional details about the zoning petition language, the exact ARPA grant terms, or contingency plans if the zoning board denies the variance. Those specifics were not specified in the meeting record.