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Council sends $1M ballfield proposal to planning and zoning after summer-rec board pledges fundraising
Summary
The council agreed to let the Summer Rec Board pursue roughly $700,000 in fundraising for a $1 million ballfield complex that would close a section of Whip Street and require planning-and-zoning review; initial pledges total about $150,000.
Chair introduced a conceptual plan from the Summer Rec Board to build lit, fenced ball fields and a roundabout that would close Whip Street, describing a rough total build cost near $1,000,000 and an estimated $400,000 for parking/road work.
"That's basically 1,000,000 dollar build," the chair said while walking council through the plan, adding that roughly $150,000 had been pledged and the board intends to seek grants and raise the remaining funds. The chair said the board proposed raising about $700,000 locally if matching patterns from past projects hold.
Planning and zoning staff explained the application process, including public notices to adjacent landowners and a public hearing; staff recommended Summer Rec submit a formal application and start the process so planning and zoning can evaluate conditional‑use or park‑designation issues.
Council members highlighted unresolved infrastructure questions, including the cost to extend or reconfigure 1st Street and sewer implications. One councilor said the city should not be forced into closing a thoroughfare without hearing public input.
After discussion the council authorized staff to forward the conceptual plan to planning and zoning and encouraged the Summer Rec Board to begin fundraising and community outreach. The council said if the board raises the targeted funds it will be appropriate to move forward with street and parking planning.
