City staff propose new 'park development plan' approach to parks, seeking flexibility from zoning code

City planning and parks staff presented a proposal to treat parks under a tailored "park development plan" process rather than the city's current commercial zoning standards. Staff said this approach would let each park have a development plan that sets setbacks, layout, phasing and amenity standards specific to that site while still complying with federal and state requirements such as ADA and engineering standards.

Staff described the proposed process: neighborhood notice (300‑foot statutory requirement), a steering committee for each park (made up of neighbors, subject matter experts and relevant stakeholders), review by the parks and recreation commission and final approval by city council. The plan would allow phased implementation so lower‑cost initial work (gravel parking, basic amenities) could be followed by higher‑intensity improvements later as funding permits.

Council members raised several concerns and suggested refinements: whether the approach should apply only to new parks or to existing parks when significant changes are proposed; when projects would return to council versus being handled administratively; how to avoid politicization of park design; and whether the parks and rec commission should have final approval authority for some changes. Members also recommended tailoring steering‑committee involvement by park type (neighborhood vs. community parks).

Staff said the code amendments would be noticed to the planning commission in May and could come to council in June with adoption hearings later in the month; they cited Meppin Park as a near‑term site where a survey and engineering work are already underway. Staff and council discussed using impact‑fee project lists and capital plans to inform future park development plans and to reduce duplicative review.