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EN HILLS <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> DATE: November 9, 2011 PC Agenda Item 3.A <br /> TO: Planning Commission <br /> FROM: Mei-Ling Anderson, Community Development Intern <br /> SUBJECT: Parks and Open Space District <br /> Backl4rou <br /> nd <br /> The City completed its Parks, Trails, and Open Space (PTOS) Plan in 2002. The PTOS Plan <br /> addresses demographic and recreational trends that affect the City's park, trail, and recreation <br /> needs. It also outlines the City's vision and goals which are intended to guide the City's <br /> programs, priorities, and decision-making. Several recommendations entail renovating and <br /> adapting existing park space, as well as enhancing the accessibility of these resources. The Parks, <br /> . Trails, and Recreation Committee and City staff have since made significant process in <br /> beginning to implement the goals listed in the PTOS Plan. <br /> In September of 2009, the City Council adopted the Arden Hills 2030 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> Among the goals listed in Chapter 6, "Land Use," are: <br /> • Evaluate and amend the land use regulations to achieve the highest possible development <br /> standards, enhance the natural environment, protect public health, support a vital mix of <br /> land uses, and promote flexible approaches to implement the Comprehensive Plan. <br /> • Provide a balanced mix of residential,park, open space, and commercial land uses. <br /> Similarly, one of the policies in Chapter 9, "Parks and Recreation" is to "develop, maintain, and <br /> encourage the use of a system of neighborhood parks and pathways that are safe and engaging." <br /> The Comprehensive Plan identifies a total of 576 acres of park and open space, and categorizes <br /> "Park and Open Space" (P/OS) as an existing and future land use designation. The City currently <br /> owns and maintains 15 of these parks which cover 145 acres. However, at the moment, there is <br /> not a distinct district set aside for parks and open space areas within zoning code regulations; <br /> City of Arden Hills <br /> Planning Commission Meeting for November 9, 2011 <br /> I W hdocs]lahW HdatalPlanningWIanning Cases12011111-017-Zoning Code Amendment-Parks and Open Space District(Pending)(Planning <br /> Commission Memo-Parks and Open Space.docx <br /> Page 1 of 3 <br />