Consider Approval of Recommended Change to Parks & Recreation Department Policies and Procedures
Summary:  Town of Davidson Parks and Recreation staff recently had conversations with adjoining land owners surrounding town parks and the potential provision of a buffer for park amenities. After researching the issue, staff recommended to the Livability Board mirroring Mecklenburg County’s parks and recreation master plan which calls for a 100 FT. buffer around the perimeter for regional and community parks but has language “100 FT. is desired but not mandated” for neighborhood parks.

The Livability Board discussed this issue at its August 20 meeting and voted unanimously (13-0) to recommend a buffer but remove any language related to a set distance and ad the following language to the Parks and Recreation policies and procedures:

The Parks and Recreation Department shall work collaboratively with neighbors when developing park plans and shall respect adjoining property owner concerns. A buffer is desired but not mandated. The intention of this policy is not to explicitly prohibit park elements within the buffer but to look at each on a case-by-case basis.