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• <br /> In addition to evaluating the level of need for a neighborhood park, each site <br /> was evaluated as to its suitability to serve as a safe and accessible <br /> neighborhood open space and recreation area. This evaluation included <br /> considerations such as pedestrian access, slope, visibility, and location <br /> within an underserved area. <br /> Recreation Use Suitability <br /> Sites were also evaluated for potential development as needed recreation <br /> amenities, such as soccer fields, community centers, and aquatic facilities. <br /> Considerations for this review included availability of services within the <br /> area, site suitability, cost to develop, and programming and maintenance <br /> efficiencies. Consideration is also given to demographic changes and future <br /> demand for recreation services in the area <br /> Housing Landbank Suitability <br /> Since the 1970's the city has had a program to purchase land for future low - <br /> income housing. "Landbanking" has been endorsed as a City Council goal <br /> and is fundamental to the city's strategy of creating more affordable <br /> housing. Finding land to acquire has become increasingly difficult. The <br /> few sites that become available often have constraints, such as wetlands or <br /> slopes, which must be overcome and add to the cost of the housing. <br /> Meanwhile the shortage of available land has resulted in escalating prices <br /> per acre. <br /> City staff seeks property from private and public sector sources. When <br /> suitable properties become available a committee of the Housing Policy <br /> Board is asked to evaluate it and determine whether or not it should be <br /> pursued through an option agreement. When the answer is yes, Community <br /> Development Block Grant funds (CDBG) are typically used for the <br /> purchase. The acquisition process involves a legal notice in the newspaper, <br /> an environmental assessment, a public hearing, and eventual approval by <br /> City Council. The city's practice has been to not ask for the neighborhood <br /> to weigh in on the potential acquisition of the land. The city has taken the <br /> position that when it comes to land acquisition, low - income housing should <br /> not have to adhere to a higher standard than private developers. However, <br /> neighbors are typically asked to comment on proposals to develop on the <br /> property. In fact, on several occasions neighbors of a landbank site <br /> participated in reviewing the proposals and voted on the recommended <br /> selection of a housing developer. <br />