Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Post Falls approves Crown Reserve park agreement; council debates city maintenance cost vs. donated land
Summary
Council approved a construction improvement agreement with Medalist Development to build a 3.6-acre Crown Reserve neighborhood park, with the developer donating the land and the city reimbursing about $349,380 after final inspection; council debated maintenance obligations and whether the expenditure was an appropriate use of city funds.
Council approved a construction improvement agreement (CIA) with Medalist Development for the Crown Reserve neighborhood park at the Dec. 23 meeting. Robbie Quinn, parks planner, told council the project is a 3.6-acre neighborhood park to be built in phases. The developer will donate the land and share construction costs; the city would reimburse approximately $349,380 upon final inspection and dedication.
Quinn described phase 1: base utilities, grading, irrigation, asphalt loop path, internal sidewalks, and road frontage improvements; phase 2 would add playground equipment, a shelter and restroom. Quinn said the developer was responsible for core base amenities and the city would contribute to raise the standard to city expectations; he estimated the donated land value and incremental landscape value that the city gains as part of the agreement.
Several council members raised concerns about ongoing maintenance costs and whether residents would pay taxes without sufficient new revenue to support additional parks. One council member summarized the tradeoff: "These residents are going to continue paying the same amount of taxes that they pay whether they have an HOA park or not," expressing concern that the city would take on maintenance costs without increased tax revenue. Other council members said the value of acquiring land and higher-quality public amenities outweighed the city’s contribution, noting impact fees and concessions help offset park costs.
After debate the council moved and approved the construction improvement agreement by roll call.
Next steps: construction would begin after final agreements and permitting; the developer would construct phase 1 and the city would initiate reimbursement after final inspection and dedication.
