Minutes 02/10/1976 - Laserfiche WebLink

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295 February 10, 1976 and:maintenance. ~. The purchase of lots 115 through 119 on Carrington [)rive (2.5 acres) would eliminate the need for any property ~n the 11 acre tract to provide a childrens play area. It is recommended that the city retain an option for first refusal of these properties when they become available, thus releasing the i1 acre tract for residential purposes. d. The standards and improvements at Cavalier Manor should be used as a guideline for future open space development throughout the city. Development of existing open space (Lakeview, Waters, the Center) and improvement of maintenance capabilities and program capabilities need to be considered. Develop. ing, taking care of, and properly programmmng what we currently have is a higher priority than acquiring new areas. Assurances must be given that we will receive budgetary support to maintain and program the new areas. f. It should be understood hhat many areas of the city have similar deficiencies. g. We would not recommend approval of this purchase if it in any way negatively affects funding o~art II of the Commission Priority Committee recommendations." The following letter presented by the City Manager: "The last few months have made evident a tremendous, interest and concern for recreation- al/open space needs on the part of our citizens. This issue, when placed on the context of an urban city with limited land area, takes on extremely complex dimensions from the perspec- tive of already limited resources. Thus, one of my functions as City Manager is to objective ly review~the alternatives available, and to make the best possible recommendation to you, the City Council, concerning the questions that have been raised. The Cavalier Manor request for open space must be viewed as planning for the long-range needs of a community where little open space remains. Based on the studies done by the Parks and Recreation staff, it is evident that our ~ facilities city-wide need attention and improvement. Yet, ~he Cavalier Manor situatioh-does not permit us the luxury of time to pro- ject future open space alternatives. Given the above, and with both the recreational/open space needs of Cavalier Manor and the total city in mind, I recommend the following course of action: l) An option for purchase on the 8.5-9 acre site be placed Portsmouth with the develpper ~t a six-month period of permit the site to be held pending possible development open sp~ce use. by the City of time. This will for recreational/ 2) The purchase of lots 115 through 119 on Carrington Drive (2.5 acres) would eliminate the need for any property in the ll-acre tract to provide a children's play area. It is recommended that the city retain an option for first refusal of these properties when they become available, th~s releasing the ll-acre tract for residential purposes. 3) The option on the 11 acres be~thdrawn so the developer may proceed with his plans. 4) A study be conducted by the Parks and Recreation Department, the Office of Economic Analysis and Information, and the Department of Planning to: a) evaluate each neighborhood in the City of Portsmouth in eerms of existing recreation/open space; b) evaluate each neighborhood in the City of Portsmouth in terms of recreation/open space needs over the next five (5) years; c) evaluate each neighborhood in the City of Portsmouth in terms of rec~6ati~n/open space needs over the next ten (10) years. The above process will do three things: first, it will aid us in determining What-exist~ lng facilities need improvement, and/or modification; second, the 5-year projec~i~n of needs ~ can be scheduled into the Capital Improvments Program with Council approval pending the bonding level established annually by the Municipal Finance Commission. Finally, a look at our 5 and 10 year needs will requl~e the evaluation of housing projections, transportation street systems and all the other factors which must be considered along with long-range recreation:needs. A blue-print for progress could then be establis--h-~wl'-~ut the urgency factor which has been inherent in the Cavalier Manor proposal. My concern and commitment is to the orderly and systematic planning for city-~ide recreation/open space development. My hope is that the study I have mentioned will be a valuable tool blending the future course of action needed with a realistic appraisal of our resources. The City of Portsmouth has many needs which aah only be met through proper short- and-long-range planning and financial programming. Only then can we insure our city-wide needs will be met in the most equitable manner possible,"