11 ATTACHMENT 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chair Blank commented that it seems kind of an odd question that someone would say "No, don't put a school near a park." Mr. Rasmussen replied that this is a situation where there are a lot of parks, a lot of park acreage, and a lot of park maintenance in the plan, with the community park, the sports facility, a neighborhood school park, and a village green, so there may have to be some tradeoffs in the future as far as the kinds of parks. Commissioner Olson stated that if there has to be a school put in there, it would probably be a good idea to put a park next to it. Commissioner Posson agreed with Commission Olson, adding that he does not know why a school would not be put near a park. Mr. Dolan stated that the City has been accused of being too park-heavy; there is a lot of park, which is expensive to build and even more expensive to operate. Chair Blank noted that it does not mean build a park for the school, but if there is a place where there is going to be a park, then the park could be put next to the school, or the school next to the park. He added that if ten million dollars would be spent to build a special park just for the school, then this should be reconsidered. Mr. Dolan stated that some of the options for a school site are not necessarily right next to park options and so it would be an extra park. Commissioner Posson stated that he would modify his comment to say that depending on what the actual layout is, if it is within an economically reasonable thing to do, then it should be done; but if it is going to cost ten million dollars, then it should not be done. Commissioner Olson agreed. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if staff is saying that the school site might be smaller because the City can utilize part of the school site as a public park, or that the City would share those sites so the school could use the public park for part of its recreation needs. Mr. Dolan replied that that is probably the case but that this has not been worked out completely: Commissioner O'Connor stated that he thinks all of the Alternatives are pretty close to some type of park, although Alternative 1 is more of a linear park, and the rest seem to be near one or two parks. Commissioner Posson stated that he thinks the Commission should look at where there will be the best utilization of the land: if there is a school site and it makes sense from a EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, May 22, 2013 Page 28 of 30