The purpose of this presentation is to review with City Council the overall project process for the Parks, Recreation, Open Space Master Plan update, highlight key conclusions from the Plan and discuss any questions the Council members might have per the Plan's recommendation.
At the February 23, 2016 City Council Workshop, Council approved a contract for an update the City’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. Since that time, City staff has worked closely with the consultant to complete the public engagement, inventory and assessment phases, draft a list of action items for prioritization, and finalize the draft Plan document.
A joint PARCS Board and Planning & Zoning Commission workshop presentation was held on November 8, 2016 to share the public input received at the first public open house and through the statistically valid citizen survey administered as part of the input process. An Online Town Hall was also provided to residents as an opportunity to provide input. The public input received through these methods, as well as through stakeholder group meetings, guided the recommendations included in the Plan.
On July 27, 2017 staff provided Planning & Zoning Commission an update on Phase II of Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan update, mainly focusing on the development of Chapters 3, 4 and 5. The Planning and Zoning Commission commended the overall plan and expressed the importance of incorporating resident feedback from the proposed annexation communities, namely Greatwood and New Territory. These residents were encouraged to provide input through the Online Town Hall. The final phase of the plan included drafting a prioritized Implementation Action Plan, which was developed and finalized based on the PARCS Board’s consensus. A second public meeting was held on October 25, 2017 to collect additional feedback on the draft Plan’s recommendations and implementation strategy. Comments received were in favor of the Plan, and over 40 people attended and participated.
The PARCS Board (the project steering committee) has reviewed all progress in the last fourteen PARCS Board meetings, conducted three in-depth workshops, and has provided instrumental feedback, input and guidance for the project at all phases. The PARCS Board endorsed the draft Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan at their November 12, 2017 meeting. The Plan update was placed on the City’s website and an Online Town Hall opened on November 16, where residents were able to read the plan and provide feedback. The Online Town Hall closed on December 7, 2017. Public comments received to date on the Online Town Hall are in support of the Plan. The draft Plan update was also presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission during the December 12, 2017 workshop for review. The Commission held a Public Hearing on January 9, 2018, and one member of the public spoke in support of the plan. The Commission's comments were also supportive of the plan, and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the draft plan at their January 9, 2018 meeting.
The draft Plan is available online: www.sugarlandtx.gov/1616/Read-the-Parks-Recreation-and-Open-Space. Staff anticipates returning to City Council for a public hearing and adoption of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan update in February 2018.