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Commission probes open-space and pocket-park tradeoffs for West Academy proposal
Summary
Commissioners and a commenter questioned whether the proposed 19% open space meets PUD objectives, whether a small playground should be public or HOA-maintained, and whether the $500 per-unit fee-in-lieu should be applied; staff and the applicant said adjustments or fee payment could meet requirements.
Commissioners focused substantial attention on the project’s open-space accounting and the proposed small play amenity. Staff said the PUD standard requires a minimum of 20% usable open space; the applicant’s sketch shows about 19% but the applicant told the commission "we believe they can reach that" by shifting lot lines or by combining an amenity with the $500 per-unit fee-in-lieu option.
A resident who submitted written comments asked whether the playground would be accessible to the public or limited to residents of the new development; staff said the city historically has avoided small pocket parks because of maintenance costs but that the city manager thought the location could be suitable for a publicly maintained pocket park in the long term. The applicant said they are comfortable with public ownership if legal mechanisms can be arranged, but cautioned that if the open space remains privately owned it will require a legally responsible HOA to maintain it.
