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Parks commission recommends surplus and land exchange for South Orchard Park parcel in Badger Mountain South
Summary
Parks and Public Facilities Director Chris Waite presented a proposal July 9 to declare a South Orchard Park parcel surplus and exchange it for a larger, better-located replacement parcel in the Badger Mountain subarea; commissioners voted to recommend the exchange to city council.
Parks and Public Facilities Director Chris Waite asked the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 9 to recommend that the city declare a parcel identified as the South Orchard Park site surplus and approve a negotiated land exchange for a replacement parcel in the Badger Mountain South area.
Waite said the current parcel was originally planned to adjoin a school site, which would have provided shared parking and other synergies, but the school district no longer plans to build there. Because the park parcel sits on a hillside with limited parking and development challenges, and because an HOA park will be developed very close by, Waite recommended surplusing the city parcel and accepting an exchange for a parcel that is equal or greater in size and better located to meet the city’s neighborhood-park service goals.
Waite framed the exchange as consistent with the Richland Municipal Code (RMC) surplus/disposition process and the city’s parks, recreation and open space master plan goals, including providing parks within a 10-minute walk of residents. He said the city would follow the RMC process that requires Parks Commission review, then companion reviews by the Economic Development Commission and Planning Commission, and finally a City Council resolution to surplus the land.
Commissioner discussion focused on topography, parking and service gaps. Waite said the proposed replacement parcel is flatter, provides space for parking that supports park functions, and sits at the intersection of a trailhead and neighborhood access, which could serve both neighborhood and trailhead users.
Action: Commissioner Jones moved a recommendation that the City Council declare the South Orchard Park parcel surplus and approve a land exchange with NorAm Investments for a replacement parcel equal or greater in size in the Badger Mountain subarea; Commissioner Christ seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote (ayes). Note: in staff presentation Waite referred to the potential exchange partner as Grama Investment LLC; the motion and subsequent minutes record the name NorAm Investments. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
Why it matters: Waite and commissioners said the exchange would improve park coverage in the neighborhood by moving the city-owned park to a site with fewer physical constraints and less duplication with nearby HOA green space.
Next steps: The Parks Commission recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; staff will continue internal review and prepare materials for the council consideration, including companion reviews by other commissions as required by RMC.
