City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 16, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Recommendations for Shared Expectations for Open Space in New Development.
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ISSUE: Identification of shared expectations and potential improvements to policies and practices for open space in new development.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council accept the Shared Expectations for Open Space in New Development report (Attachment 1) and direct staff to:
(a) Improve regulatory policy by addressing inconsistencies and the identification of improvements;
(b) Create design guidelines based on the articulated Shared Expectations; and
(c) Utilize these Shared Expectations to inform future Small Area Planning.
BACKGROUND: As part of the City Council adopted Long Range Planning Work Program, City staff and the Planning Commission, the Environmental Policy Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission have participated in a near year long discussion about open space in new development including City policies, practices and regulatory teamwork. The results of these discussions are the development of a report entitled Shared Expectations for Open Space in New Development (Attachment 1). This report articulates ten shared expectations in regard to open space (see pages 14 to 16 of this report) which are proposed to be used to improve regulatory policy, provide design guidance, as well as will be utilized to inform future small area plans.
The attached report to the Planning Commission details the thinking behind the development of these shared expectations, as well as the details of the ten shared expectations.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Shared Expectations for Open Space in New Development
2. Open Space in New Development Presentation for City Council’s October 22, 2019 meeting.
STAFF:
Karl Moritz, Director, Planning and Zoning
Rob Kearns, Development Division Chief, Planning and Zoning
Nathan Imm, Principal Planner, Planning and Zoning
Anna Franco, Urban Planner, Planning and Zoning
Sara Brandt-Vorel, Urban Planner, Planning and Zoning
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities
Jack Browand, Division Chief, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities
Dana Wadeles, Principal Planner, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities
Yon Lambert, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services
Khoa Dinh Tran, Environmental Program Manager, Office of Environmental Quality
Ellen Eggerton, Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Environmental Quality