1. Regional Parks Policies
Parks and Recreation Commission Study Session
May 1, 2014

2. Background Added to Docket List in 2014
Regional Parks and Recreation Policies
Comprehensive Plan
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan
Change in circumstances
An item was added to the docket list in 2014 to review parks and recreation policies in relation to regional parks and recreation development and operation. These policies are found both in the Comprehensive Plan and in the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan.
The reason for the revision is the changed circumstances. Snohomish County has proposed a project to convert the Wellington Hills Golf Course into a regional sports complex. The City’s current policies are so broad that they don’t recognize the impacts identified by the projects on the City, including traffic, stormwater, and residential character. In addition, the existing policies don’t address the County’s own policies regarding regional sports facilities which identify a location in the north part of the county, and the City should be consistent with those policies.

3. Parks Element
PRO-1.7 Support King and Snohomish Counties in fulfilling their defined role of providing regional facilities, programs, parks, and open space, at appropriate locations and facilities that avoid unmitigated impacts and are consistent with the counties land use plans.
The first is a policy in the Parks Element, PRO This policy is overly broad and needs to have language added that the City supports the county’s role in regional facilities, where it is appropriate to have those facilities.

4. PRO Plan
28. Assist, where appropriate, with the development of a select number of facilities that provide the highest competitive playing standard, possibly in conjunction with King and Snohomish Counties, Bothell, Northshore School District, and other public and private agencies – possibly in the areas of Wellington Hills Golf Course, at appropriate locations and facilities that avoid unmitigated impacts and are consistent with the jurisdictions’ land use plans.
The second is a policy in the PRO Plan that identifies Wellington Hills Golf Course specifically as a regional sports complex. This policy needs to be revised not only because of the impacts identified with such a facility, but also because it conflicts with the Snohomish County Comprehensive Plan and with other policies in the PRO plan that call for this area to be a set-aside as a sensitive land. The proposed change here would be to remove the specific language to the Wellington Hills Golf Course and strengthen the “where appropriate” language.

5. Recommended Action Provide feedback on proposed changes
Questions/Comments?