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. Strategies 7. Implementation
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 Richard Rottkov Barbara Dee (chair) CITY STAFF Sharon Newman Tom Blake (vice-chair) Kevin Adams , D irector of Parks, Victoria Morales Kate Lewis Recreation and Waterfront Catherine Callahan Jane Eberle Tex Haeuser , Director of Kat Taylor Dan Hogan Planning and Development Ashley Krulik Patti Smith Fred Dillon , Water Resources Max Wibby Susan Chase Protection Andrew Gagnon Kate Gatti Kathi Perkins
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.
OPEN SPACE PLANNING GOALS 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
OPEN SPACE PLANNING PROCESS 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
ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY
ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY MOST VISITED OPEN SPACES
ONLINE COMMUNITY SURVEY 1 2 3
PUBLIC FORUM Approximately 50 members of the public attended the Public Forum. Small groups worked together in mapping and brainstorming activities
FORUM RESULTS DIGITIZATION We have digitized the mapping work from the public forum. The end result is a spatial database showing the community work.
GOOGLE EARTH ACCESSIBLE DATA The Public Forum spatial database is accessible and searchable. This data has informed the Open Space Plan and may inform future planning work. CLA LASSIF IFICATION: W N: Water A r Access ss NOTES: Go Good pl place t to pu put i in kayak
PUBLIC FORUM: BIG IDEAS 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.
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE OPEN SPACE DEFINITION 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 Greenbelt Vacant Lot Utility Corridor Golf Course Basketball Court
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE PARCEL MAPPING
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE CITY PARKS + OTHER MUNICIPAL LANDS City-owned Land (non-park) City-owned Park
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE PAPER STREETS City-owned Paper Street City-owned Land (non-park)
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE SPLT + EASEMENTS South Portland Land Trust Conservation Easement City-owned Land (non-park) City-owned Park
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE LAND + WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS City-owned Park (LWCF protection) City-owned Park (no legal protections)
THE STATE OF OPEN SPACE PUBLIC LAND SUMMARY 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%)
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: Maintain and improve waterfront access Prioritize natural resource and habitat • • protection in future development and for all residents and visitors. open space preservation. Recognize conservation priorities for • Maintain connectivity between open space related to climate change • neighborhoods and open spaces that and sea level rise adaptation. is accessible to a broad range of residents. Promote health and wellness • opportunities by providing a variety of Emphasize the enhancement of open space amenities throughout the city. • community character and uphold neighborhood-based development Ensure all residents and visitors have • patterns. access to natural landscapes as development growth continues in and around the city.
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
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. Mill Creek Park Bug Light Park Greenbelt Three-Tiered Protection System. All City-owned open STRATEG EGY space lands should be assigned to one of three tiers
Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM TIER 1 LAND TO BE PROTECTED BY CONSERVATION EASEMENTS 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. Bug Light Park Legere Park Hinckley Park
Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM TIER 2 LAND TO UNDERGO A PUBLIC REVIEW PROCESS PRIOR TO SALE 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. Old City Land Fill Hamlin School Legion Square Park
Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM TIER 3 LAND SUBJECT TO STAFF REVIEW PRIOR TO SALE 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. 1 Ocean Street 15 Mountain View Road 80 Running Hill Road
Protect Existing City-Owned Open Space TIERED PROTECTION SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION • 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- owned 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.
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.
Acquire Additional Open Space PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LAND ACQUISITION 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. 1. Identify Opportunities with willing land owners 2. Assess Opportunities STRATEG EGY 3. Determine the Best Use of Funds 4. Invest in Future Open Space
Acquire Additional Open Space PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LAND ACQUISITION FLOWC WCHART IDENTIFY P PRI RIVATE L LAND CONDUCT E T EVAL ALUATION LANDOWNER ER N NOT I INTERESTED ED LANDOWN WNER OU OUTREACH LANDOWNER ER I IS INTERESTED ED CONTIN INUE E EVALUATIO ION CONTIN INUE E EVALUATIO ION 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 CITY C Y COUNCIL CITY C Y COUNCIL MOVE VE ON ON TO DOES N S NOT PROCE CEED W WITH SUPPO PPORTS ANOTHER P PROPE PERTY SUPPO PPORT ACQUIS ISIT ITIO ION ACQUIS ISIT ITIO ION ACQUIS ISIT ITIO ION
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