SOUT H PORT L AND OPE N SPACE PL ANNING CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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SOUT H PORT L AND OPE N SPACE PL ANNING CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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SOUT H PORT L AND OPE N SPACE PL ANNING CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP Ja Janu nuary 2 22, 2 , 2019 OPEN SPACE PLANNING AGENDA 1. Introduction 2. Open Space Planning Process 3. The State of Open Space 4. Vision Statement 5. Goals 6.

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OPE N SPACE PL ANNING SOUT H PORT L AND

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP

Ja Janu nuary 2 22, 2 , 2019

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SLIDE 2
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Open Space Planning Process
  • 3. The State of Open Space
  • 4. Vision Statement
  • 5. Goals
  • 6. Strategies
  • 7. Implementation

OPEN SPACE PLANNING

AGENDA

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CONSU SULTAN ANTS

FB FB E Envir ironm nment ntal al Ter errenc ence e J. D . DeW eWan & an & Associat iates es

Forrest Bell, Principal and Project Manager Jessica Kimball, Landscape Architect Maggie Burns, Hydrologist and GIS specialist

OP OPEN S SPACE C COM OMMITTEE

Barbara Dee (chair) Tom Blake (vice-chair) Kate Lewis Jane Eberle Dan Hogan Patti Smith Susan Chase Kate Gatti Richard Rottkov Sharon Newman Victoria Morales Catherine Callahan Kat Taylor Ashley Krulik Max Wibby Andrew Gagnon Kathi Perkins

CITY STAFF

Kevin Adams, Director of Parks,

Recreation and Waterfront

Tex Haeuser, Director of Planning and Development Fred Dillon, Water Resources

Protection

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OPEN SPACE PLANNING

HISTORY

The 2001 South Portland Open Space Strategic Plan was completed but never accepted by the City Council or fully implemented. The South Portland Conservation Commission initiated this open space planning process with the belief that an updated Open Space Plan is needed to guide the City in the evaluation, protection, and expansion of open space.

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OPEN SPACE PLANNING

1. Document the State of Open Space (mapping, research, public outreach) 2. Define a Vision Statement for Open Space in South Portland 3. Establish Goals to achieve the Vision 4. Identify Strategies to ensure the Goals and Vision are met 5. Ensure the Open Space Plan strategies are implemented

GOALS

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OPEN SPACE PLANNING

COMMI MMITTEE EE W WORK

Open Space Committee

  • Established in September 2017
  • First Committee Meeting in April 2018
  • Committee has met 9 times (monthly)

Sub-Committee Meetings

  • Preservation of existing City-owned space
  • Acquisition of private open space
  • Land Bank ordinance review

PUB PUBLIC OUTR OUTREACH

Online Community Survey was open for 7 weeks (May-July 2018), 716 responses Open Space Public Forum on July 31, 2018

PROCESS

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ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY

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MOST VISITED OPEN SPACES

ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY

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ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY

1 2 3

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Approximately 50 members of the public attended the Public Forum. Small groups worked together in mapping and brainstorming activities

PUBLIC FORUM

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We have digitized the mapping work from the public forum. The end result is a spatial database showing the community work.

FORUM RESULTS DIGITIZATION

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NOTES: Go Good pl place t to pu put i in kayak CLA LASSIF IFICATION: W N: Water A r Access ss

The Public Forum spatial database is accessible and searchable. This data has informed the Open Space Plan and may inform future planning work.

ACCESSIBLE DATA

GOOGLE EARTH

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We synthesized the big ideas from the public forum into a

  • diagram. This will guide open space connectivity, improved

pedestrian corridors, water access, and open space conservation.

PUBLIC FORUM: BIG IDEAS

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Open Space refers to any parcel or area of land or water, the preservation of which would achieve any of the following: 1. Conserve and potentially enhance natural or scenic resources 2. Protect water quality 3. Promote conservation of soils, wetlands, beaches, or tidal marshes 4. Enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, trails, forests, or nature preserves 5. Enhance recreation opportunities

Basketball Court Greenbelt Vacant Lot Golf Course Utility Corridor

THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

OPEN SPACE DEFINITION

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THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

PARCEL MAPPING

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THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

CITY PARKS + OTHER MUNICIPAL LANDS

City-owned Land (non-park) City-owned Park

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THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

PAPER STREETS

City-owned Land (non-park) City-owned Paper Street

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THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

SPLT + EASEMENTS

City-owned Land (non-park) City-owned Park Conservation Easement South Portland Land Trust

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THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

LAND + WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS

City-owned Park (no legal protections) City-owned Park (LWCF protection)

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TOTAL AREA OF SOUTH PORTLAND = 8,996 acres MUNICIPAL LAND = 735 acres (8.2%) CITY PARKS = 368 acres (4.1%) LAND IN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS = 25 acres (<1%) PUBLIC SHORELINE = approx. 3 miles (~17%)

THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE

PUBLIC LAND SUMMARY

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VISION STATEMENT

The vision for South Portland is a city that is vibrant, healthy, and equitable. It is a desirable community to live and visit, and one that emphasizes the importance of open space. South Portland should:

  • Prioritize natural resource and habitat

protection in future development and

  • pen space preservation.
  • Maintain connectivity between

neighborhoods and open spaces that is accessible to a broad range of residents.

  • Emphasize the enhancement of

community character and uphold neighborhood-based development patterns.

  • Maintain and improve waterfront access

for all residents and visitors.

  • Recognize conservation priorities for
  • pen space related to climate change

and sea level rise adaptation.

  • Promote health and wellness
  • pportunities by providing a variety of
  • pen space amenities throughout the city.
  • Ensure all residents and visitors have

access to natural landscapes as development growth continues in and around the city.

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GOALS

  • 1. Protect existing City-owned open space
  • 2. Acquire additional public open space where desirable
  • 3. Preserve and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitat
  • 4. Improve connectivity and access to open spaces from all neighborhoods
  • 5. Finance the protection and acquisition of open space
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Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space

TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM

Important City-owned open space should be protected from future sale or development. Currently, there are City-owned open space properties with no legal protection to be maintained as open space.

Bug Light Park Greenbelt Mill Creek Park

STRATEG EGY

Three-Tiered Protection System. All City-owned open space lands should be assigned to one of three tiers

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Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space

LAND TO BE PROTECTED BY CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM

Bug Light Park Legere Park Hinckley Park

TIER 1

  • LANDS. City-owned parks are worthy of the highest protection.
  • PROTECTION. The City will maintain ownership of these properties, and the

conservation easement holder will be a group such as the South Portland Land Trust.

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Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space

TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM

Old City Land Fill Hamlin School

LAND TO UNDERGO A PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS PRIOR TO SALE

TIER 2

Legion Square Park

  • LANDS. Properties that would benefit from public process prior to sale or development.
  • PROTECTION. Any proposal for sale or development must undergo a rigorous review

and public comment process prior to a City Council vote to sell or develop the property.

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Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space

TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM

  • LANDS. Small pieces of land that may serve the community better as urban infill

rather than public open land.

  • PROTECTION. Properties may be sold or transferred upon recommendation of

Planning Staff to the City Council.

LAND SUBJECT TO STAFF REVIEW PRIOR TO SALE

TIER 3

1 Ocean Street 15 Mountain View Road 80 Running Hill Road

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Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space

TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM

  • City-owned lands should be classified in the implementation

phase of the Open Space Plan, not in the Plan itself.

  • Classifications should include site-specific evaluations of City-
  • wned open space lands to determine their value in open space.
  • Public process and City Council approval of the tiers should be

included in the process.

  • If the use of a developed City-owned parcel is discontinued, the

parcel will be placed in a protection tier at that time.

IMPLEMENTATION

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Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space

ESTABLISH AN OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICT

A new Open Space Zoning district will improve the City’s ability to manage and enhance the existing City-owned open spaces.

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Acquire Additional Open Space

PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LAND ACQUISITION

  • 1. Identify Opportunities with willing land owners
  • 2. Assess Opportunities
  • 3. Determine the Best Use of Funds
  • 4. Invest in Future Open Space

The City does not have a strategy for private land acquisition to expand or strengthen the public open space network. The Open Space Plan will recommend the City take a proactive approach to open space land acquisition.

STRATEG EGY

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Acquire Additional Open Space

FLOWC WCHART

PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LAND ACQUISITION

IDENTIFY P PRI RIVATE L LAND CONDUCT E T EVAL ALUATION LANDOWN WNER OU OUTREACH LANDOWNER ER I IS INTERESTED ED LANDOWNER ER N NOT I INTERESTED ED STRATE TEGY T Y TO ACQUIRE L LAND STRATEGY F FOR L LAND MANA NAGEMENT NT PROPOSAL TO C O CIT ITY C COU OUNCIL CONTIN INUE E EVALUATIO ION CITY C Y COUNCIL DOES N S NOT SUPPO PPORT ACQUIS ISIT ITIO ION MOVE VE ON ON TO ANOTHER P PROPE PERTY CITY C Y COUNCIL SUPPO PPORTS ACQUIS ISIT ITIO ION PROCE CEED W WITH ACQUIS ISIT ITIO ION CONTIN INUE E EVALUATIO ION

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Acquire Additional Open Space

EVALUATI TION ON CHART RT

PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LAND ACQUISITION

Provide Public c Access a ss and Connecti ctivity ty to Open S Space ce Prese serve a and Enhance ce Natu tural Reso source ces Enhan ance Comm

  • mmunity Char

arac acter an and Li Livab ability of

  • f the City

Protect ct the City f ty from P Potenti tial Impact cts s of Climate Change

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Acquire Additional Open Space

ACQUI UISITION M METHODS

PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LAND ACQUISITION

  • Property purchase at market value
  • Right of first refusal
  • Exchanges (Sawyer Marsh example)
  • Maintaining tax-acquired land instead of selling it
  • Trail or Conservation Easements
  • Purchase of Development Rights (PDR)
  • Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)
  • Density bonus as incentive for conserving publicly

accessible open space within property boundaries

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Preserve and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitat

MAPPING

Maintain up-to-date natural resource data for evaluation of

  • Private open space properties for acquisition
  • Public open space properties for preservation

Natural Resource data to be provided as

  • Maps in the Open Space Plan
  • GIS spatial databases
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Preserve and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitat

HABITAT MAPPING

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Preserve and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitat

WETLAND + WATER RESOURCE MAPPING

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Preserve and enhance natural resources and wildlife habitat

SHORELAND ZONING

South Portland has ~19 miles of harbor shoreline

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1. Identify areas located within easy walking distance to open space and areas that need improved access to open space. 2. Describe potential connectivity improvement strategies to strengthen the open space network. 3. Summarize open space access issues and opportunities for each neighborhood.

MAPPING + ANALYSIS

Improve Connectivity and Access to Open Spaces

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COMMUNITY SURVEY ANALYSIS

Improve Connectivity and Access to Open Spaces

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OPEN SPACE ACCESS ANALYSIS

Improve Connectivity and Access to Open Spaces

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POTENTIAL CONNECTIVITY STRATEGIES

Improve Connectivity and Access to Open Spaces

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Finance the protection and acquisition of open space

REVISE LAND BANK ORDINANCE

FUN UNDING NG

  • Annual contribution of $35k from

City’s Capital Improvement Plan until balance exceeds 1 million.

  • Proceeds from the sale of City

property (60% of unimproved land sale / 30% of improved land sale).

  • Voluntary contributions; funds

appropriated by City Council; grants received.

Chapter 18 Article VII Established in 1987 Approximate balance: $800,000

US USES

  • Purchase interests, including

conservation restrictions, development rights or easements, in real property.

  • Maintain, manage and improve land and

interests in land held by it in a manner which allows public use and enjoyment (amount for maintenance not to exceed 10% of Land Bank balance). CURRENT GUIDANCE: Any proposed acquisition or sale of any real property interest shall be referred to the Planning Board for review and recommendation.

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Finance the protection and acquisition of open space

REVISE LAND BANK ORDINANCE

FUN UNDING NG

  • Annual contribution of $35k from

City’s Capital Improvement Plan until balance exceeds 1 million.

  • Proceeds from the sale of City

property (60% of unimproved land sale / 30% of improved land sale).

  • Voluntary contributions; funds

appropriated by City Council; grants received.

Chapter 18 Article VII Established in 1987 Approximate balance: $800,000

US USES

  • Purchase interests, including

conservation restrictions, development rights or easements, in real property.

  • Maintain, manage and improve land and

interests in land held by it in a manner which allows public use and enjoyment (amount for maintenance not to exceed 10% of Land Bank balance). CURRENT GUIDANCE: Any proposed acquisition or sale of any real property interest shall be referred to the Planning Board for review and recommendation.

  • Name change
  • Purpose
  • Qualifying uses for funds
  • 60%/30% land sale contribution structure
  • Potential funding cap expansion
  • Funding approval process

POTENTIAL

REVISIONS

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OPEN SPACE PLAN

IMPLEMENTATION

  • City Council to adopt Open Space Plan
  • Amendment to 2012 Comprehensive Plan
  • Implement Strategies
  • Conservation Commission or Committee
  • Appointment of City Staff
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OPEN SPACE PLAN

ACTION PLAN

Establish Three-tiered Protection System Establish Open Space Zoning District Revise Land Bank Ordinance Preserve and Enhance Natural Resources Improve Connectivity and Access To Open Space Form a Proactive Approach to Land Acquisition COMMITTEE / CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL PLANNING BOARD / CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE / CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL VARIOUS ENTITIES VARIOUS ENTITIES IMMEDIATE IMMEDIATE IMMEDIATE ON GOING ON GOING ON GOING

STRATEGY WHO WHEN

  • Appointment of City Staff
  • Conservation Commission or Committee?