HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2017 - RegierREQ-IVt~L✓
COUNCIL MEETING: .1 /;� _ JAN 10 2017
ITEM NO.: P"'b Ir Ca enIn e� f
From: Ron Regier [
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2017 10:06 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Cc: jeffwhitener@sbcglobal.net
Subject: Support for Parks & Rec Element
Please see attached letter.
CITY CLERK
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council Members,
The City's biennial goal -setting effort is one of the most important steps the Council takes to
gain insight, input and support for allocation of resources and direction for the next two years
and beyond. After nearly 15 years on City commissions, including 7 on the PRC, I've found that
the goals which result from this process inform decisions at every level. The Council is to be
commended for continuing this vital public forum.
I would like to strongly request your pport for the Parks and Recreation Commission goal to
update the Parks and Recreation Element. This important update is now well overdue. The
Element is over 15 years old and the Council has received community requests to update the
Parks and Recreation Element during the last four budget cycles.
The policy guidance from this element is desperately needed during this time of growth for our
city. With housing and economic development key in the 2017-19 city budget, comprehensive
parks development must also be considered. The P&R element calls for 10 acres per 1,000
residents but we currently have only 3.3 acres of parks per 1000 residents (LUCE EIR). The
new specific plans will only provide enough parks to maintain this ratio and many of the city's
existing parks and recreational needs have gone unmet for years now. In addition, managing
urban parks as parts of the City's green space system, in addition to their recreational uses, must
be accomplished as development is planned, or safe and effective connectivity is not possible.
With the development of new homes, some of which are already in progress, our need for parks
is now. Residential development and park evolution without a proper vision in place mean
decisions are made without effective guiding principles. There needs to be funding provided by
the Council now to conduct a needs assessment and complete a guiding document for future
parks acquisition and development. I plan on supporting this goal from the PRC and hope you
will support it as well.
Thank you for your service to our City and community. I appreciate you are doing to make our
community a better place.
Sincerely,
R" R"
Past PRC and ARC member