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Criteria for Accepting / not Accepting Parcels: There are several criteria for accepting or not accepting a parcel that will be identified and 0,9 discussed in this section. These factors need to be evaluated in order to make an informed decision as to whether or not to acquire a given parcel. \N-0-- - One method to gain information about a parcel would be to perform an nvironmental site assessment. This assessment can be valuable in telling us how much and what type of materials may have been dumped on the site and whether or not they are hazardous materials. In addition to the danger that these materials may represent to staff or the public, the City would not want to become responsible for clean up of such material by taking title to the parcel. There are a couple of options regarding the issue of environmental assessments. An .environmentahassessmenthcould4 be required on_all parcels before acceptance.; This option may be considered unreasonable and costly. Alternately, an assessment could be required only when felt to be necessary. If this option were selected a guideline to determine when to require an assessment would be needed. Staff could evaluate the site and make the determination if an assessment would be required based on their findings. The assessment could be performed by staff trained in hazardous material identification or it could be done by a professional environmental analysis firm. -Size of the parcel is another criteria for, acceptance. The parcel must be large enough to be of value with regards to the intended use. If the public will use the parcel there needs to be adequate room for facilities such as parking. The area also should be able to adequately accommodate the expected number of visitors without suffering damage from the impacts. If the area is to be used as an educational park, for example, it should be able to accommodate approximately 30 -40 students at a time. For wetlands or wildlife preservation the parcel needs 446 ; r to be large enough to provide a viable ecosystem which is largely self supporting and sustainable. P cif Market value and natural resource value of the parcel must be considered. Market value of the iv parcel may be a decision factor. The market value of the parcel may be the asking price or it may tell us if the asking price is reasonable or not. It may be of value for the City to acquire the parcel and hold it with the idea that, as other developable land becomes scarce, the value and development potential for the parcel will increase. However, for this discussion we will assume that the best use for the parcel is as wetland, open space, educational park, or a natural resource corridor and, as such, the parcel is evaluated on its natural resource value and acquisition will be • based on related factors. Any special features, are plant \ ormal species, or communities , if present, will make the site highly valuable for reservation. Thee facto s v '11 also increase the f value of the site as an educational park. < , �,'1\--____ 5� h �� � Factors such as the relationship to drainage ways, other park land, or use as a water quality feature may increase the value and usefulness of a parcel. If the parcel will tie into an existing drainage way or park land, it may enhance the value of that feature. In acquiring and managing wetlands and natural resource corridors the goal is.tolnk areas togetherinto one continuous :,„ system..A parcel which will help achieve this goal would be desirable for acquisition. If the parcel can be used as a water quality feature it would thus enhance the water quality system and benefit the community at large.