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Based on the project constraints, staff brainstormed potential solutions and evaluated a <br /> number of sites, including: <br /> • Currently owned City parkland at Bethel Community Park, Petersen, and <br /> Candlelight; <br /> • Property currently owned by other City departments such as PWE and Fire; and <br /> • Future park and open space acquisition target sites. <br /> Staff also discussed the potential benefits of the partnership for future park and community <br /> center development plans for the Bethel neighborhood. <br /> CANDLELIGHT PARK ISSUES <br /> Given the timeline and wetland constraints, no ideal site was identified. Undeveloped <br /> property at Petersen Park has inadequate access, and is located under utility lines. A site <br /> within Bethel Community Park would either be too close to the elementary school, or could <br /> not be constructed soon due to the unavailability of City services. The School District's desire <br /> to trade for property already acquired by the City limited the potential sites to Candlelight <br /> Park. The following issues need to be addressed to assess the feasibility of a land exchange for <br /> Candlelight Park: <br /> • No park development planning has been done for Candlelight Park, and therefore <br /> staff are not able to determine if surplus property is available for a potential trade. A <br /> full public involvement and park planning process would need to be pursued to <br /> develop a park development plan and alternative high school location. Current <br /> practice is to hold three to four public meetings with the neighborhood to provide <br /> ample opportunity for neighborhood participation in the design and decision - making <br /> process. This process takes approximately 6 to 12 months. A conditional use permit <br /> will also be required. <br /> • A cursory review of wetlands within City parks was conducted by a consultant in <br /> 1996. No wetlands were identified in that review. However, the wetland <br /> determination did not receive DSL concurrence. A wetland determination and <br /> delineation for the site is required, as well as DSL concurrence, prior to land use <br /> approvals. Due to the time elapsed since the site was farmed and the presence of <br /> hydric soils and open waterways, staff have reason to believe that some wetlands exist <br /> on the site <br /> • Several open waterways exists on the property. A development plan for the site will <br /> need to be prepared that complies with any applicable open waterways ordinance. <br /> • The site is currently zoned agriculture (AG). In 1997, staff in Parks Planning pursued a <br /> zone change to R1 and R2 which was subsequently denied. Staff may be required to <br /> pursue a rezoning to permit the development of school and /or park facilities. <br /> • Street connectivity issues and access off of Royal will be a critical component of the <br /> park and school design. Staff in Transportation will need to be involved in initial <br /> project scoping. <br /> Bethel/City Partnership 10/27/00 <br /> Parks Planning 2 <br />