City seeking to rezone 108.84 acres of park properties to P‑1 institutional to unify management

The city proposed rezoning multiple park properties totaling about 108.84 acres to P‑1 institutional zoning so the parks department can manage and program city‑owned parkland more consistently, staff told the commission.

Staff described this rezoning exercise as a continuation of a prior effort to consolidate city park parcels that were acquired over many years under varied zone districts (single‑family, agricultural, multifamily). Rezoning to P‑1 would align zoning with current ownership and the Parks, Natural Resources and Cultural Affairs Department’s programming goals. Staff recommended forwarding the rezoning to City Council.

Staff said public inquiries had focused on whether rezoning to P‑1 signaled an intent to sell park properties; staff emphasized that is not the intent. The parks director, Allison Schumer, attended a neighborhood meeting where residents expressed concerns about the use of a specific park parcel and expectations for continued neighborhood access; staff said those concerns will be reflected in future outreach. Many of the parcels are small remnant pieces along the Greenway and other trail corridors, staff said, and most are outright city property rather than easements.

No formal objections were in the packet at the agenda‑setting session. Staff recommended forwarding the request to council for formal action and public hearing.