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Parks chapter updated to reflect 2022 PROS plan; tree canopy language added to meet state climate reporting
Summary
Staff updated park typologies, acreages and capital-planning language to match the county's 2022 PROS plan, and added wording about tree canopy coverage required by recent climate legislation; staff recommended adopting the county tree‑canopy report by reference to meet reporting needs.
County planning staff briefed commissioners on proposed updates to the parks, recreation and open space chapter during the Dec. 4 work session, saying the changes align the comprehensive plan with the county’s 2022 PROS (Parks, Recreation and Open Space) Plan.
"A lot of the changes that we have in the comprehensive plan this go around are to kind of bring into agreement the two documents," Amy Wooten, community planning staff, said. Changes include updated urban park system tables and acreage figures, revised park descriptions (neighborhood, community, urban open space) and updated acquisition and development standards to match the PROS plan.
Wooten highlighted one statutory-driven addition: new language on tree‑canopy coverage to satisfy a requirement in recent climate legislation. She said Public Works produced a tree‑canopy report that staff recommend adopting by reference to fulfill the state reporting requirement on tree canopy.
Commissioners asked whether the commonly used 10 acres per 1,000 population acquisition goal factors into park impact‑fee calculations; staff replied that the NRPA acquisition guideline is separate from fee calculations, which are based on desired development outcomes and capital needs.
Next steps: staff will incorporate commissioner feedback and present the parks chapter and supporting materials at the Jan. 8 joint hearing with council.
