HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-028 - Developer-Build Parks
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Community Services Committee
April 21 , 2008
Prepared By:
Jim Witmer
Director of Operations (ext. 2657)
Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development (ext. 2348)
Peter Wetherup, Parks Planner (ext. 2403)
All
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
April 1 0, 2008
CSD-08-028
DEVELOPER-BUILD PARKS
RECOMMENDATION:
That the developer-build parks process be considered as part of the Development
Charge policy review, to be undertaken during 2008/09 and;
That in the interim, until the Development Charge policy review is complete, the General
Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute agreements to pay applicable
park construction costs to the developer/sub-divider from Council approved capital
accounts and; further,
That the Director of Purchasing be authorized to prepare the necessary Purchase Orders
for developer-build parks.
BACKGROUND:
The timing of new park development has been a concern with both Council and the residents of
new subdivisions. A Community Services Committee report of October 23/06 and title "General
Park & Community Trail Development" identified a backlog of 17 undeveloped parks in newer
residential areas (report CSD-06-1 05).
The Neighbourhood Design Initiative (Council, April 30, 2007) encouraged "park designs, which
are constructed early in the construction process" (report DTS-07-065).
Further, a guideline proposed:
The proponent and City should determine if the park space is to be 'developer-build' prior to
draft approval. Conditions of approval may be included to ensure the park design is completed
prior to registration, the park is graded, topsoil and seeded within a certain time frame and the
park facilities constructed within one year of the first building permit.
Report No: CSD-08-028
2
REPORT:
Portions of park development are subject to Development Charge credits. The City has
incorporated a "developer-build" park alternative in subdivision agreements for at least two new
developments; the method of payment via development charge credits will be reviewed as part
of the Development Charge policy review occurring in 2008. Developer-build park conditions
exist for Michael Donnenwerth Community Park (ward 4) and Beaumont Community Park (ward
2). (See appendix A)
There are presently at least two existing subdivisions where the developer has expressed
interest in a 'developer-build' park; however the condition has not been included in the
subdivision agreement. In these cases, the General Manager of Community Services would
authorize to pay applicable park construction costs to the developer from Council approved
capital accounts and the Director of Purchasing would prepare the necessary Purchase Orders
for the developer-build park. Developer-build interest has been previously expressed in
absence of subdivision conditions for Riverwood Community Park (ward 2) and Williamsburg
Common Parkette (ward 4). (See appendix A)
The recommendations of this report will enable staff to continue to negotiate for developer-build
parks where not already provided for under the terms of a subdivision agreement and until such
time as a formal policy is established through the upcoming background study.
The ten year capital budget forecast is prepared identifying all new parks in the forecast. Since
these new parks are already included in the capital forecast, it would be possible to pay the
agreed applicable costs to the developer from approved park capital accounts. These applicable
costs would be determined through the City's approval of the park design and budget to the
satisfaction of the General Manager of Community Services.
Article 8 of the Purchasing Bylaw provides authority to the Director of Purchasing to issue a
Purchase Order and waive the requirements for inviting tenders should there be only one
source or supply of the goods and services. In the case of a developer-build park, the developer
would build the park at an agreed upon amount. All work would be done to city standards,
certified by the developer's Landscape Architect and inspected by the City for final approval
before issue of payment.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The intent of the developer-build alternative is to provide the park facilities early in the
development of the subdivision through payment from approved capital budget accounts. In
some cases the developer would have to front load the cost of the park development until the
corresponding capital forecast year is approved.
COMMUNICATIONS:
In addition to at least two proposed subdivisions that have a 'developer-build' park condition, we
have at least two additional developers with no subdivision condition that would like to
participate and build the park facilities in their subdivision.
Report No: CSD-08-028
3
CONCLUSION:
It appears that there is an interest in providing park facilities in new subdivisions at an early
stage for the new residents. A 'developer-build' process will allow parks to be implemented both
by the City and developer in an effort to deliver proposed park amenities in a timely manner.
Jim Witmer
Director of Operations
Dan Ritz
Supervisor of Design & Development
Peter Wetherup
Parks Planner
Report No: CSD-08-028
4
APPENDIX A
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