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Open Space Commission weighs Draft Code Concepts as tool to support pocket parks and connectivity
Summary
Commissioners discussed a 60-page code concepts report that analyzes zoning and development codes to support infill, density, green building, and potential updates to the resource protection overlay (RPO); staff urged commissioners to submit prioritized comments by Aug. 11 so planners can incorporate them before council presentations in October.
The Open Space Commission reviewed a draft code‑concepts report—described as a roughly 60‑page analysis with appendices—intended to identify zoning and code changes that could remove barriers to housing, incentivize green building and better integrate open‑space connectivity. Staff framed the document as an implementation tool that sits below the regional plan and could provide concrete regulatory measures to help achieve plan goals.
Commissioners said the draft report presents opportunities to strengthen neighborhood‑level open space, such as pocket parks and trail connections, and to revise the Resource Protection Overlay (RPO) so it better accounts for trail access, tree preservation and connectivity in denser neighborhoods. Staff suggested options such as providing developers additional density or parking flexibility in exchange for improved public access to nearby open space, and recommended asking consultants to run a gap analysis and prioritize projects in the PROS capital plan.
Timing: staff asked the commission for a prioritized list of recommendations and comments by Aug. 11 so staff can compile comments and present consolidated recommendations to council at an October meeting (final code recommendations were described as planned for City Council presentation on Oct. 26). Commissioners agreed to the same two-step consolidation model used for the regional plan: submit top concerns, staff compiles, commission reviews and votes in August.
Next steps: commissioners will provide top recommendations on the code concepts report by Aug. 11; staff will consolidate and include them in the August 25 commission packet for a vote and forwarding to planners.
