Public Parkland Disclosure and Communication Requirements Draft Ordinance

[Shane Saum]

Council,

I wanted to put this draft ordinance amending Section 10 to improve Public Parkland Disclosure and Communication Requirements which will be on the next agenda on the discussion board to get your feedback, potential amendments and proposed changes.

Residents and prospective homebuyers in recent subdivisions—including areas within Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) and Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)—have expressed concern about the ownership, maintenance, and public accessibility of neighborhood parkland, particularly in developments where public and private amenities are closely intertwined. This ordinance creates a clear, enforceable framework for disclosing parkland status in marketing, on the City’s website, and directly within the development.

Section 10.606 establishes minimum transparency requirements for developers of residential or mixed-use subdivisions involving public parkland. Key provisions include:

• Requiring developers to submit all marketing materials related to public parks or amenities for City review prior to public distribution.
• Ensuring the City website displays accurate, developer-coordinated summaries of parkland ownership, maintenance responsibilities, and access rights.
• Mandating a plain-language public disclosure sheet and physical signage onsite indicating whether amenities are public or private.
• Allowing residents or HOAs to submit complaints about misleading marketing materials, which may trigger City staff review and enforcement action.
• Establishing that failure to comply may result in withholding of permits or posting of public notices of noncompliance.

 

[Paul Roberts]

Shane,

I'm happy to have seconded this, Councilman Saum, and I appreciate you bringing it forward. It’s an important step toward improving transparency around public parkland, especially in developments where the line between private and public amenities is often blurred.

I look forward to reviewing staff feedback. There may be opportunities to strengthen the enforcement provisions and clarify how and when updates are required as development phases progress.

Thanks again for taking the lead on this.