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Council approves 90‑day master‑plan contract for Heather Cliff community lands with ad hoc review
Summary
Council authorized a $164,800 professional services agreement with Frederick Fisher and Partners to develop a conceptual master plan and feasibility analysis for Heather Cliff (community lands). Staff and the ad hoc will assess site capability early and report back before further work proceeds.
The council voted Nov. 10 to authorize a professional services agreement with Frederick Fisher and Partners to produce a 90‑day master plan concept design for the Heather Cliff property and related community lands. The proposed scope includes a site analysis, program and facility concepts, conceptual site plans, elevations, renderings and cost estimates; staff budgeted $164,800 for the work.
Staff emphasized site challenges — uneven topography, drainage and soils — and said an architect is needed to coordinate civil, structural and landscape specialists to avoid expensive surprises later. The consultant’s timeline calls for an early client meeting and a planning parameters check within the first three weeks so the ad hoc can confirm whether Heather Cliff is feasible for the multi‑generational community center and sports fields envisioned by the community lands process.
Council debate focused on scope and sequencing. Several councilmembers and speakers supported the consultant selection and the expedited early assessment; others warned that the RFP language should remain clear that Heather Cliff is the preferred site but that Aoki (and other community lots) should be considered if Heather Cliff proves infeasible. In response, the council approved the agreement with direction that the ad hoc review the initial site‑capability findings and return to the council before the team advanced full schematic design.
Staff said the project will produce the materials needed for broader community outreach and for potential public‑private partnership fundraising once the conceptual plan is vetted. Councilmembers noted that actual construction funding will require substantial additional resources and pledged to explore fundraising and partnership options as the plan advances.
Contract details: staff recommended Frederick Fisher and Partners based on prior local experience with park and small‑facility design; the agreement is budgeted at $164,800 and funded from the current fiscal year account for vacant properties and professional services.
