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• <br /> Public Utility Easements <br /> Another issue is the granting of public utility easements across a City owned natural area. An <br /> easement could be allowed so long as the utility infrastructure placed in the easement would not <br /> significantly impact or detract from the natural values of the site. Easements should not be <br /> allowed across these parcels if a significant negative impact on the natural value or public <br /> enjoyment of the site will result. <br /> CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> Natural resource values, maintenance, usage, and funding issues associated with the acceptance <br /> of non - developable parcels have been discussed in the proceeding paper. Hopefully, this <br /> discussion has shown that these lands can be a valuable asset to the City as natural park areas and <br /> wetlands, or just as easily, a relatively undesirable liability if significant negative factors are <br /> overlooked. <br /> Conclusions <br /> 1. Parcels considered for donation to the City as open space, parkland, or natural areas should <br /> first be evaluated to determine their suitability and value before acceptance by the City. <br /> 2. There are a number of factors that need to be considered prior to any decision on acceptance <br /> of parcels offered for donation. Certain factors may prove more significant than others and <br /> should therefore receive a heavier weight. <br /> 3. Potential donations should be evaluated based on a set of established guidelines that consider <br /> natural resource values, management and maintenance costs, nuisance conditions, and other <br /> factors identified in this paper. <br /> 4. There are currently no established guidelines nor process to facilitate a thorough and timely <br /> evaluation of such land donation requests. <br /> Recommendations <br /> 1. City acceptance of donated parcels determined to be of high resource and recreational value <br /> based on evaluation of acceptance criteria, as long as maintenance and management funding <br /> is available. It is recognized that the donation of non - developable parcels offers an excellent <br /> opportunity for the City to increase the natural area /open space resource while offering the <br /> possibility to preserve valuable habitat for T &E species. To remain a valuable asset, the <br /> availability of funding necessary to manage and maintain the site must be budgeted. City <br /> 8 <br />