Commission hears broad public input on Recreation and Open Space Element update; staff pledges follow‑up

Planning department staff presented the proposed Recreation and Open Space Element (ROSE) update, describing the community process and policy goals and inviting further input before adoption hearings planned for October 2011.

Staff described guiding principles — multifunctionality, equity, connectivity and stewardship — and explained the analytic approach that layered population density, low‑income concentrations, youth and senior demographics, access radii and future growth to identify high‑priority renovation and acquisition areas. The department proposed policies to preserve existing open space (no net loss), to require rigorous review before new recreational or cultural buildings are sited on parkland, and to explore new finance mechanisms including a citywide impact fee, expanded public‑private partnerships and targeted uses of the Open Space Acquisition and Park Renovation Fund (Proposition K/Proposition C set‑asides).

Public comment was extensive. Environmental and open‑space advocates (Sierra Club, Neighborhood Parks Council), recreation providers and residents urged clearer preservation rules, stronger maintenance funding, neighborhood‑level action plans, protections for significant recreational facilities (pools, tennis courts), better outreach scheduling and practical tools for evaluating private‑sector impacts on public recreation amenities. Some speakers warned that programmatic mitigations (street greening, programming) cannot substitute for loss of acreage. Staff and Rec & Park emphasized that acquisition policy changes and targeted capital priorities are being refined and that the Open Space Fund has historically supported acquisitions and renovations (acquisition funding balance cited at about $9 million available at present). Staff committed to further outreach and to integrating the Department of Public Health’s Healthy Development Measurement Tool (HDMT) into implementation.

Commissioners asked for more detail on implementation, maintenance financing, the HDMT integration, and neighborhood action plans. Staff said they will schedule targeted hearings on shadowing/park sunlight impacts and on transportation/phasing/nexus study results, and to coordinate further with Rec & Park and DPH before October hearings. The commission did not vote on the ROSE itself at this meeting but directed staff to continue outreach and to return with the refined implementation details.