City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JAMES SPENGLER, DIRECTOR
RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
JACK BROWAND, DEPUTY DIRECTOR
RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
BETHANY ZNIDERSIC, DIVISION CHIEF
RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Term Extension of the Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of a term extension of the Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive this report and approve the resolution to extend the term of the Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee through September 29, 2023.
BACKGROUND: In 2002, City Council approved an Open Space Master Plan. A City Council appointed Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee advised staff on the development of the plan, including policies and open space goals. Since then, the City has achieved its goal of adding 100 additional protected acres of open space and has maintained a ratio of 7.3 acres of publicly accessible open space per 1,000 residents. Subsequently, in 2017, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities updated the plan to evaluate our current open space situation and consider additional recommendations. The City also approved the Environmental Action Plan 2040 (“Plan”), which includes open space recommendations (action items 4.2.1 and 4.2.3).
As the City increases in population and building density with finite land constraints, there is greater challenge in increasing the publicly accessible open space quantity. Reinstating the Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee will bring together community stakeholders to advise staff on reconsidering open space policies and evaluating methods of open space acquisition, as outlined in the scope of work to follow, in order to ensure that our public spaces, parks, and natural areas offer high environmental quality, management, and social benefits for the residents and businesses of Alexandria.
DISCUSSION: The Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee is comprised of 11 members as follows:
• Historic Alexandria Resources Commission Member or designee
• Beautification Commission Member or designee
• Environmental Policy Commission Member or designee
• Planning Commission Member or designee
• Park and Recreation Commission Member or designee
• Northern Virginia Conservation Trust City of Alexandria Board Member
• One at-large member from the business community
• One at-large member from the development community
• Three at-large City resident members (one vacancy)
The Plan has been broken into three tasks, focusing on the re-assessment of the methodology, policies, and tools for evaluating future publicly accessible open space sites, whether through acquisition, easements, or development. Task 1: Update the definition of “publicly accessible open space”; Task 2: Evaluate methods of pursuing publicly accessible open space; and Task 3: Provide guidance for new development’s contribution to publicly accessible open space where it is not already guided by the small area plan.
The Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee approved the Draft Task 1 on October 7, 2021, and Draft Task 2 on September 22, 2022. The Steering Committee is currently working on Task 3. Once Draft Task 3 is adopted, the Committee will revise the Draft Plan for any changes that arose during the Plan’s creation and make amendments prior to endorsing the final Plan.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, staff was unable to hold Committee meetings from March 2020 through September 2020. As a result of these circumstances, the Committee’s work will not be completed prior to the December 31, 2022, sunset date. Staff is requesting an additional nine-month extension to complete all tasks and provide a final recommendation for City Council consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT: Recommendations from the proposed Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee will likely result in future fiscal impacts.
ATTACHMENT:
1. Ad Hoc Open Space Steering Committee Extension Resolution
2. 2019 Docket Memo - Open Space Steering Committee
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Jack Browand, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Bethany Znidersic, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Judy Lo, Acting Principal Planner, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Ana Vicinanzo, Urban Planner III, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities