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Parks planner: subcommittee drafting new park dedication pricing table; commission requests public draft hearing
Summary
City parks staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission that a joint subcommittee is drafting revised park-dedication and parking requirements, including a new pricing table, and staff plans to return a draft to the commission for public review.
City parks staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 2 that a subcommittee formed to review proposed amendments to the parking and park-dedication ordinance has met three times and is preparing a draft pricing table.
Elizabeth, park planner for the City of Laredo Parks Department, said the group — a joint subcommittee of the parks board and the planning and zoning board — met Aug. 15, Aug. 28 and Oct. 23 and solicited input from developers. "We met again on the 28th August, and then we met later in October, on 23rd. So we've met with the parks board and the planning and zoning board. They were combined together to form a committee to give feedback on this, and we also had some feedback from the developers. And it was very informative and helpful. And right now, we are currently formulating the new table of pricing," Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth described an adjustment in the amount of land per population the city would seek through dedication requirements. "Currently in Laredo, we actually provide 5 acres per 1,000 population. What we're currently asking for is 1 acre per 1,000 population, and 2.5 is somewhere in between what we already provide and what we currently ask for," she said, framing the change as a compromise between current provision and an earlier proposed minimum.
Commissioners asked about public engagement and timing. One commissioner recommended that when the draft is returned it be presented in the commission packet at least one week in advance so developers and other stakeholders can review it. A commissioner also recommended a public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission when the draft is presented so stakeholders may comment before the item moves to the council.
Jesus Reese asked whether the subcommittee would meet again before a draft is circulated; staff replied the plan is to conclude the subcommittee's meetings and bring the draft back to the full commission, with internal staff discussions ongoing. Staff and commissioners agreed the draft should be included in the commission packet when it returns.
Why it matters: Park-dedication and parking standards affect development costs, the amount of land preserved for parks, and how new residential or commercial projects mitigate their impacts. The commission's request for a public draft hearing and advance circulation signals an intent to solicit broad stakeholder input before any ordinance changes are forwarded to council.
