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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 11 15 Planning Commission Work Session W_PPPlanning Commission Minutes Approved 12.06.22 Attested by S.Weaver 1 Springfield Planning Commission Minutes for Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 Work Session Meeting held in Council Chambers and via Zoom Planning Commissioners Present: Chair Matt Salazar, Vice Chair Grace Bergen, Kuri Gill, Michael Koivula, Seth Thompson, and Steven Schmunk Absent: Andrew Buck Staff: Sandy Belson, Planning Manager; Chelsea Hartman, Senior Planner; Sarah Weaver, Community Development Administrative Assistant; Kristina Kraaz, Assistant City Attorney Willamalane Staff & Consultants: Kristina Koenig Boe, Landscape Architect; Kenny Weigandt, Community Engagement Director; Jeffrey Milkes, consultant with BerryDunn Consulting Chair Salazar called the meeting of the Planning Commission Work Session to order at 6:00 p.m. 1) Willamalane Park & Recreation District: Comprehensive Plan Update Staff: Chelsea Hartman, Senior Planner 40 Minutes Staff /Chelsea Hartman: introduced Staff with Willamalane Park & Recreation District who were presenting on Agenda Item: Willamalane’s Comprehensive Plan Update Project. Consultant / Jeffrey Milkes gave a PowerPoint presentation on Willamalane’s Comprehensive Plan Update. Commissioner Bergen: wanted to know why the Hispanic/ Latinx response was higher during this survey and what lessons can be learned from it. Willamalane Staff/ Kristina Boe: The original survey from 2012 relied on a printed hard copy questionnaire since online survey technology was not very advanced at that time. Posting the survey online and having it available in both English and Spanish it resulted in a much higher number of responses. This coupled with the community partnerships and networking Willamalane has cultivated over time increased the visibility and response from the community manyfold. Willamalane Staff / Kenny Weigandt: Willamalane staff attended many Willamalane and non- Willamalane community events to promote the survey. At each event, there was a voting component, which comprised of the community members choosing their favorite project by dropping wooden nickels in project boxes. that were labeled in English and Spanish. The events Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12.06.22 Attested by S.Weaver 2 targeted were heavily trafficked by the Hispanic community. One of the Willamalane events featured a Cuban band, which was staffed by English and Spanish speakers. This outreach was effective in advertising our online, open link survey in both languages. About 1,700 community members took part in the survey at that time. Commissioner Thompson: asked if the demographic response by community members was representative of Springfield demographics. The survey identifies parks within the system that are more accessible than others. Do you make concrete recommendations to rectify accessibility issues and will those be included in the Comprehensive Plan? Consultant / Jeffrey Milkes: The survey response by individuals with disabilities were within 3% of their demographic representation within the community. The Hispanic community members response was 8% to 9%, which is close to the Springfield population. In the end, the response numbers are weighted to represent their total population in the community. The survey response in general had a slightly higher percentage of female and older populations respondents than the community, which is not unusual for this type of survey research. The recommendations will not be especially focused on ADA accessibility, since the District has an ADA transition plan. With regard to playgrounds, there will be a recommendation to move away from chips to a poured in place surface. It is much more challenging to push a wheelchair through chips than a poured in place surface. We are also looking at barriers to access parks, which is partially based on our 8 or 80 rule: considering whether one would let an eight- or eighty-year-old walk across a street or railroad crossing without concern for their safety. By correcting/ fixing barriers, the level of service will improve greatly. The Census data used for this report was pulled from ESRI Business Analyst and Portland State University Population Center. Commissioner Gill: was especially happy that the Tribes and Native American populations were engaged, which can help inform ideas about protecting cultural and natural resources. . How will the draft plan be shared to let the community see how their input was incorporated into the vision? Oregon Goal 5 resources and requirements are limited so it’s important to consider more robust cultural resources that may not be included in Goal 5 if pursuing federal funding. Consultant / Jeffrey Milkes: Community engagement and public comment will continue throughout each phase of the process until the Plan is adopted in June. Willamalane Staff / Kristina Boe: informed the Commissioners that every juncture of Plan implementation will include public outreach and continued dialogue with the community to assure the most effective implementation. Commissioner Koivula: stated that the needs assessment points out that the Senior Center needs more parking when in actuality the Senior Center needs more of everything. The City should consider adding another Senior Center in a different part of town to accommodate the Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12.06.22 Attested by S.Weaver 3 growing need and increased usage. He is also concerned that a 20-year Plan is such a long timeframe that the demographics of the community could substantially change. It is important to remain flexible. Willamalane received generous funding in 2012 through the approved bond measure. Is the funding for the Comprehensive Plan based on that bond measure or will a renewal of the bond measure need to be passed to complete the Plan? Consultant / Jeffrey Milkes: The Plan is crafted as a 20-year plan, but the financial plan has been targeted for the first 10 years. The recommendations are grouped in short, medium, and long- term goals. Many of the long-term goals may not be addressed in the initial 10-year period. The survey included a question about support for a new bond measure and the response was overwhelmingly positive – over 70% of respondents said yes. Willamalane Staff / Kristina Boe: We have completed all projects that were part of the 2012 bond. For more information, visit https://www.willamalane.org/bond_measure_projects.php. The next phase before adoption of the Plan in June includes looking at all possible funding sources, including a new bond measure. Commissioner Schmunk: inquired about park maintenance should funding sources dry up. Is there a standard maintenance assured or will the parks be tiered – some receiving more maintenance and others less? Consultant / Jeffrey Milkes: confirmed that there is a maintenance part in the Plan that will address financing. Typically, the City’s park maintenance costs $2,000 per acre, whereas an acre of open space cost $200 an acre. Other similar agencies in Oregon spend about $5,000 per acre. Based on the survey results, the community appears to be quite happy about the level of maintenance. The parks in the District that are in areas with the least diversity, highest income and lowest crime rate tend to have the most components and most resources. The Plan will attempt to address the issue of parks with less components that are located in more diverse and lower income areas to make their park experience more equitable. Willamalane Staff / Kristina Boe: confirmed that the Comprehensive Plan should be a reflection of the community as a whole, including its diversity. The engagement plan has sought to reach out to the entire community and base its recommendations on the needs of the park system to give the community equal access to parks and a comparable experience. Report of Council Action – None Chair Salazar: reminded the Commissioners that there is a link at the bottom of Springfield Oregon Speaks “For Planning Commissioners” that lists the City Council meeting dates. Each Commissioner will be able to see their meeting dates to report on during this segment of the agenda. It is not necessary to attend each Council Session live. It is possible to watch the meeting later once the video is posted on YouTube. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12.06.22 Attested by S.Weaver 4 Business from the Planning Commission Chair Salazar: informed the Commissioners that an email was sent to the Commissioners by Public Works with a link to the 2022 updated housing strategy, including input from the Mayor and Council. Business from the Development and Public Works Department Staff / Sandy Belson: reminded the Commissioners that there is a meeting of the Commission on Tuesday, December 6th. This is the last meeting before closing out the year. ADJOURNMENT – 7:19 P.M. November 15, 2022 Willamalane Park and Recreation District Comprehensive Plan Update 22 Willamalane’ s Role in Springfield The parks and recreation provider in Springfield Provides recreation, athletic and aquatics facilities The steward of 46 parks, trails, facilities, and natural areas Nationally recognized leader in parks and recreation 33 Why Update the Comprehensive Plan? Last comprehensive plan in 2012 (20-year plan) Population growth/assumptions about growth Increased diversity Over 850 acres of new parkland Accredited in 2022 Best practice to update plans every 5 years Provides a framework for future orderly, consistent, and capital planning Creates a roadmap for efficiencies and continual improvement Recommends resources, programs, and facilities that can contribute to a healthy quality of life 44 Project Timeline January 2022 to June 2023 Updates with study findings at www.willamalane.org/future Project is 50% Complete 55 Willamalane Planning Process 66 Demographic analysis Parks & recreation trends Recreation program analysis Park & facility assessments Focus on natural areas and trails GRASP® level of service analysis (gap identification) Maintenance & operations evaluation Financial and organizational analysis Alternative funding and partnerships Implementable recommendations and updated capital improvement plan Updated 2012 performance measures and implementation plan Comprehensive Assessment & Analysis 77 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice Frequency of use of programs and facilities Importance vs. needs met analysis Communication effectiveness & preferred methods of communication Ease of use of the district website A measure of how welcome people feel in parks and facilities 88 Engaging the Community Special focus on specific needs •Teens •Latinx •Natural areas •American Indian/Alaska Native •Trails •Accessibility and Inclusion •Community Wellness 3,866 Community engagement participants through October 99 Random survey sent to 3,500 district households in July Survey link open to all members of the district in August and September Survey was statistically valid and provided perspective of both users and non-users Total Survey Respondents 1598 Statistically Valid and Open-Link Survey 1010 Age Distribution Trends Source: 2021 Esri Business Analyst 1111 Percentage Distribution of Race Groups/Hispanic in the Springfield UGB Source: 2021 Esri Business Analyst Hispanic 14.84% Two or More Races 5.78% Other Race 6.70% Asian 1.68% American Indian and Alaska Native 1.65% Black or African American 1.29% White 82.91%The Springfield Urban Growth Boundary (USB) is the study area for the planning process (UGB) 1212 District Residents With Disabilities Type of Disability Percentage of Residents with Disabilities Hearing 5.7% Vision 3.4% Cognitive 8.9% Ambulatory 9.1% Self-Care 3.3% Independent Living 8.4% 19.1% State of Oregon 14.3% Source: 2020 American Community Survey 1313 District Areas of Improvement (Engagement) Better class and activity times Improve communication with non-users Provide more volunteer opportunities Provide more bilingual signage Improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities More pool access Improve parking at Adult Activity and Aquatic Facilities Provide additional cultural special events 1414 Additional Recreation Activities (Engagement) Provide more activities for adults (ages: 21-50) Provide disc golf events and classes Provide pickleball classes More swim lessons Provide environmental education/outdoor programs More family activities Expand volunteer programs Provide enrichment classes Provide special events in parks (movies, concerts and cultural festivals) 1515 Barriers That Might Limit Access to District Recreation (Engagement) Pedestrian walking routes to parks Limited district outreach to non-users Accessibility for individuals with disabilities Facility availability 1616 Reasons for Non-Use (Survey) 1717 Feelings of Welcomeness in Parks and Facilities (Survey) 1818 Importance of Facilities and Services (Survey) Top 10 most Important facilities and services to Springfield households When rated 1 (not at all important) to 5 very important) Facility/Service Number of respondents rating 4 or 5 Park Safety and Maintenance 90% Natural Areas/Open Space 87% Trails in parks and/or trail systems 85% Restrooms in Parks 84% Indoor Pool 58% Off-leash areas in parks for dogs 55% Community Centers 42% Outdoor Fitness Stations in Parks 34% Pickleball courts 26% Basketball courts 26% 1919 Top Three Future Priorities (Survey) Most Important future priorities Percent of respondents ranking 1st, 2nd, or 3rd most important 1.Trails and bike paths 35% 2.Outdoor swimming pool 25% 3.Park safety and maintenance 22% 4.Better maintenance of existing parks and facilities 18% 5.Outdoor splash pad for water play 16% 6.More restrooms 16% 7.Additional dog parks/facilities 14% 8.Open-air covered multi-use space 14% 9.Community farmers market 13% 2020 Top Three Trail System Priorities 2121 Themes From the 600 Survey Comments The WPRD does an outstanding job delivering parks and recreation services There are overcrowded facilities; bathrooms are closed most of the time Some fees are too high Some households are unaware of existing activities Needs: (In random order –most repeated) An outdoor pool Greater access to swimming lessons and pools for both kids and adults More access to bathrooms in parks Parks and facilities closer to my neighborhood More mountain bike opportunities Better security in for parks and parking area More basketball courts A shuttle for kids and families who live far from facilities Better park maintenance Greater access to dog parks Longer and more convenient facility hours Greater access to better quality pickleball courts Improved locker rooms More programs for middle-aged people and children Feedback: 22 •Good standard for trailheads where there are formal trailheads •Park signage overall seems standardized •Playground replacement schedule •Newer playgrounds at Jasper Meadows, Bluebelle, and Quartz •Courts need updates •More shelters seem appropriate •System lacks a “signature park” •Seems to be a wide range within the “Neighborhood Park” classification •Some parks, like Thurston Neighborhood Park, have nice settings with many mature trees •Some have several components, while others have minimal outdoor recreation opportunities Inventory Site Visit Observations 23 Mapping Location and Quality of Components 24 Neighborhood Parks Neighborhood Score Community Score Average Neighborhood Score Average Community Score Neighborhood Park Meadow Park 46 79 Fort Park 29 38 Arrow Park 34 34 Thurston Park 24 29 Rob Adams Park 29 29 Jasper Meadows Park 29 29 Volunteer Park 24 24 Quartz Park 24 24 Bluebelle Park 24 24 Willamette Heights 22 22 Royal Delle Park 22 22 Robin Park 22 22 Jesse Maine Memorial Park 22 22 Gamebird Park and Garden 22 22 Pacific Park 19 19 Page Park 18 18 Menlo Park 18 18 Pride Park 14 14 Bob Keefer Center 10 14 Marylhurst Park 13 13 Douglas Gardens Park 12 12 Willamalane Adult Activity Center 10 10 Tyson Park 9 9 James Park 6 6 24 29 Average Community Park Score = 29 Average Neighborhood Park Score = 24 25 Walkable Access Demographics Walkability % of population by Service Level Median Household Income Diversity Index Crime Index No Service 23%$53,833 52.1 151 Low Service 45%$53,677 53.8 146 Target 32%$59,633 49.8 127 23% 45% 32% % of Population With Walkable Access to Outdoor Recreation Percent total area = 0 target Percent total area > 0 target Percent total area >= target Low Service At / Above Service No Service 26 Drivable Access 0%1% 99% % of Population With Neighborhood Access to Outdoor Recreation Percent total area = 0 target Percent total area > 0 target Percent total area >= target Low Service At / Above Service 27 City/Agency Umatilla Canby Wilsonville Corvallis Willamalane Park and Recreation District North Clackamas Tualatin Hills PRD Average Year 2020 2021 2017 2011 2022 2012 2018 Population 7,723 18,952 22,919 54,462 70,337 115,924 265,078 79,342 Population Density (per acre)2.4 6.3 4.7 3.0 4.8 5.0 7.6 4.8 People per Park 644 824 1,091 1,009 1,465 1,246 982 1,037 Park per 1k People 1.6 1.2 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.0 Average # of Components per Site 6.4 3.0 8.4 5.7 5.2 3.2 3.3 5 Average Score/Site 16.0 16.3 52.0 41.1 31.5 23.7 26.4 30 Components per Capita 10 4 8 6 4 3 3 5 GRASP®Index 24 20 48 41 21 19 27 28 % of Total Area With LOS >0 74%98%95%93%100%97%100%94% Average LOS per Acre Served 112 265 388 289 148 183 489 268 Average LOS/Population Density per Acre 47 42 82 96 31 36 65 57 % of Population With Walkable Target Access 62%87%67%N/A 32%40%72%58% Better than the Average Below the Average Neutral GRASP®Benchmarking 2828 Project Timeline 2929 Next Steps Findings Town Hall meeting –November 16th, 6:00 p.m. Findings and visioning workshops – November Review findings, draft plan review, Willamalane adoption by June 2023 City of Springfield and Lane County co- adoption as a legislative plan amendment 3030 Here’s our contact information: Jeff Milkes Senior Consultant, BerryDunn jeffrey.milkes@berrydunn.com 503-481-1838 James Mickle Senior Consultant, BerryDunn james.mickle@berrydunn.com 757-535-1942 Thank You For Your Time.