Council Colleagues,
Although I missed the Noon deadline to place this item on our May 15 agenda, I want to share my intent to bring it forward at the next available meeting and invite your feedback in advance.
I will be proposing that we formally refer to the Planning and Zoning Commission a review of our current parkland dedication ordinance (Sections 5.10–5.14), including the land dedication ratio and the $1,050 per-dwelling-unit fee-in-lieu. These standards have not been updated in many years, despite significant development activity and escalating land and construction costs.
Our Draft 2025 Comprehensive and Parks Master Plan, page 108, encourages us to revisit this ordinance to ensure it aligns with current growth and the community’s expectations for public park access. Among other things, it suggests the City could consider a park development fee and/or trail dedication requirements tied to a future Trails Master Plan.
To support this process, I will also propose that we direct staff to initiate a Nexus Study or Parkland Impact Fee Analysis. This is the standard tool for substantiating any ordinance changes under the constitutional “rough proportionality” requirement (see Town of Flower Mound v. Stafford Estates). The goal is to ensure any updates are both legally defensible and aligned with Lago Vista’s long-term parkland needs.
Once posted to a future agenda, I welcome your support and any input you may have in the meantime. Thank you for considering this initiative.
— Paul
Although I missed the Noon deadline to place this item on our May 15 agenda, I want to share my intent to bring it forward at the next available meeting and invite your feedback in advance.
I will be proposing that we formally refer to the Planning and Zoning Commission a review of our current parkland dedication ordinance (Sections 5.10–5.14), including the land dedication ratio and the $1,050 per-dwelling-unit fee-in-lieu. These standards have not been updated in many years, despite significant development activity and escalating land and construction costs.
Our Draft 2025 Comprehensive and Parks Master Plan, page 108, encourages us to revisit this ordinance to ensure it aligns with current growth and the community’s expectations for public park access. Among other things, it suggests the City could consider a park development fee and/or trail dedication requirements tied to a future Trails Master Plan.
To support this process, I will also propose that we direct staff to initiate a Nexus Study or Parkland Impact Fee Analysis. This is the standard tool for substantiating any ordinance changes under the constitutional “rough proportionality” requirement (see Town of Flower Mound v. Stafford Estates). The goal is to ensure any updates are both legally defensible and aligned with Lago Vista’s long-term parkland needs.
Once posted to a future agenda, I welcome your support and any input you may have in the meantime. Thank you for considering this initiative.
— Paul
