Agenda - 10-03-2000-5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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28 • Protection of natural resources is connected to the general welfare, quality of life and enjoyment of the greater community. Con • The linear park/wildlife corridor concept could be pursued on the north side of McGowan Creek instead (larger tracts there, although potential still exists for minor subdivisions and small dedications) • Many current residents in the area have indicated adamant opposition to the possibility of a County linear park in this area (although future residents may see things very differently) • McGowan Creek is not currently designated as a wildlife corridor or a rustic woodland trail in the Land Use or Parks and Recreation Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. It is a Resource Protection Area in the Land Use Element, where land dedication is an alternative for preservation of an identified natural area or other state - listed natural resource area (please see Section IV.B.2.d of the Subdivision Regulations). No such identified area exists in the McGowan Creek corridor. Furthermore, dedication under N.b.2.d is not for present or future low - impact recreational use — which is the basis of the payment -in -lieu provision in IV.B.7.b. • The regulations for dedication for resource protection and dedication for recreation are not the same and may be inconsistent with each other. This may need to addressed in upcoming revisions to the regulations. • Determination of whether to require dedication calls for site analysis, including a determination that the property in question is designated for active recreation/low- impact recreation and open space in the Comprehensive Plan. The land dedication is being pursued without an adopted plan that specifically shows active recreation/passive recreation and open space along McGowan Creek. The 1988 Master Recreation and Parks element shows a community park and a district park in the area. The Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group report proposes revisiting payment -in -lieu and stresses the importance of linking Town, County and State Parks — but this has not yet been incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. • Although the current regulations offer payment -in -lieu only as an alternative to the standard of land dedication for recreation/open space, the practice of the last decade has been to accept payment -in -lieu (outside of the Rural Buffer). There is currently no policy statement that addresses when dedications are desired and when payment - in -lieu is desired. Such a statement may be needed, perhaps via an amendment to the Recreation and Parks Element of the Plan and/or the Subdivision Regulations.