WORKSHOP ITEM Robert Therres, Public Services Manager
Title
BLAINE WETLAND SANCTUARY (BWS) NEIGHBORHOOD COMMITTEE RECOMENDATION
Background
In January of this year, as part of recreating the native wetlands in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary (BWS), the City entered into a contract to remove the non-native plants and trees from the wetland area. This resulted in trees being cut down in the BWS including trees that bordered residential property on the west side of the BWS.
While the City has publicly discussed the BWS project and held public meetings, we failed to have neighborhood meetings and keep the immediate neighbors updated on the project. As a result, the neighbors were surprised and angered when the trees started to be removed from behind their properties.
After some public meetings the City Council created a neighborhood committee made up of residents and several Councilmembers to work with the residents to discuss how to make this project work with the neighboring property owners.
The BWS Neighborhood Committee has met several times and has developed the following recommendations for the City Council’s consideration and discussion.
The recommendations are as follows:
- Set a budget of $100,000 for landscaping buffer areas. The three areas being considered for landscaping are shown on the attached map, (Attachment 1)
- Set the next meeting after Council discussion to “fine tune” the landscaping plans to fit the allotted budget
- Develop a policy statement of no new trails within 100 feet of residential property in the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary north of the north end of Austin Court
- Send issue of developing park rules and usage of the BWS to the Park Commission for discussion and recommendations
For reference, the landscaping plan shown in Attachment 2, is estimated to cost between $90,000 to $95,000. This plan shows a 40’ buffer, and includes landscaping the proposed maintenance access with a gate.
Recommendation
Discuss and give direction to BWS neighborhood committee on their recommendations.