Item 4Guidelines and Recommendations for Park Acceptance
The extent to which proposed park land is accepted or receives credits depends upon the extent to which it meets the established design, location and context criteria of the City’s Parks,
Recreation and Open Space Master Plan; the City’s Mobility Plan; and the City’s Comprehensive Plan (Southlake 2030 Plan).
The following guidelines should be considered when reviewing all park land dedication requests:
The city's policies for the development of parks and recreation facilities;
The topography, geology, access, and location of land in the subdivision that is suitable for the development or renovation of parks and recreation facilities;
The size and shape of the subdivision and land available for dedication; and
The location of existing or proposed park sites and trails.
Characteristics of land to be considered for park land dedication are as follows:
Land to be dedicated should not be of such size, shape or location as to make the development of the subdivision unfeasible, and shall permit the balance of the subdivision to be developed
in an orderly and efficient manner.
Land should be at least one-half (1/2) acre in size, excluding hillsides over a ten (10) percent grade, riparian set back areas and environmental mitigation areas. Dedication of land
less than one-half (1/2) acre may be accepted if the land to be dedicated is located adjacent to an existing or planned park facility or recreational facility.
Land should be gradable to create a sufficiently flat area of less than three (3) percent grade in any direction.
Land should be located adjacent to a public street in order to promote public safety and facilitate policing.
The following areas are generally not considered as suitable park land and may not be applied to the minimum park acreage requirement:
Detention or retention areas
Land within floodplain and floodway designated areas
Areas encumbered by overhead utility lines or easements of any type which might limit the opportunity for park and recreation facility development.
Sites encumbered by hazardous and/or municipal waste materials or dump sites.
The Subdivider, as required by the City, in addition to the land dedicated shall:
Provide reasonable improvements and access to the land dedicated including, but not limited to, full street improvements and utility connections, such as curbs, gutters, street paving,
traffic control devices, street trees, and pathways/sidewalks, to land which is dedicated;
Provide for fencing along the property line of that portion of the subdivision contiguous to the dedicated land;
Provide improved drainage through the site; and
Provide park identification signage.
Other recommendations items to consider include:
PUD (Planned Unit Development) Status - No credits for PUD open space requirements.
Park Maintenance - Seek HOA responsibility in perpetuity for landscape maintenance and utility requirements for neighborhood parks (larger areas may be a combination of City and HOA
maintenance or solely the responsibility of the City dependent upon size and intended use).
Fee Credit Balance – No carry forward of credits is allowed.
Credit for Private Parks - Credits for private parks and amenities may never satisfy more than 50% of the total park and open space dedication requirements. The Board may, if desired,
select only those items it feels are needed from those proposed by the developer, and grant partial credit up to a maximum of 50%.