The Board of Commissioners adopted the Master Plan for 52+/- acre Windy Hill Park property on November 28, 2022. This Ordinance rezones the property from R-2 to SI-3. The SI-3 district is consistent with the zoning of other City parkland.
The City Commission authorized acquisition of this site in March 2020 for the purpose of creating a passive recreation park. The property was previously owned by the Sensing family and was part of the historic Windy Hill farmstead. In addition to agriculture uses, the site also served as a small airstrip many years ago, with a small airplane hangar still remaining on the property.
In the interest of providing as much information as possible for the adjacent and surrounding neighbors, City staff waited until the Master Plan was adopted to bring forth the rezoning ordinance. This timing provides neighboring residents a clear vision of what the City intends to do with the property once it is zoned SI-3. Major elements of the adopted Master Plan include:
PARKING:
• +/- 101 parking spaces w/ necessary safety lighting for both north and south parking lots
TRAILS:
• 1 Mile Multi-Use Trail (10-foot-wide asphalt trail with 2-foot Aggregate Shoulders)
• 6,100 linear feet of secondary trails (10-foot-wide asphalt trails, no shoulders)
• (1) 400 Meter Loop Trail
• 2 Stream crossings
• 1 Proposed Crossing
• 1 Existing Culvert Crossing
AMENITIES:
• 1 Main 30’x20’ Shelter Structure
• 1 Restroom / Storage Facility
• 1 Octagonal gazebo
• 3 Covered Single Picnic Structures
• 15 Picnic Tables
• 26 Benches
• 12 Trash Receptacles
• 4 drinking fountains
• Pre-fabricated playground w/ mulch base and shade structure
• 4-6 workout stations
• Way finding signage
• Historical education signage
• Additional shade trees
An agreement with ESP Associates for full design of the park pursuant to the Master Plan was approved on January 23, 2023. The goal is for construction to begin in the summer of 2023 with the park opening in the summer of 2024. In the 2023-28 Capital Improvements Program, $2.7 million has been allocated for this project. This amount may need to be adjusted slightly higher given current market conditions. Any adjustments will be made in the 2024-29 Capital Improvements program.
The rezoning process has followed this schedule:
| First Reading Board of Commissioners |
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 |
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| Community Meeting |
Thursday, February 2, 2023 |
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| Planning Commission Review |
Monday, February 6, 2023 |
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| Board of Commissioners Public Hearing |
Monday, February 13, 2023 |
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| Second and Final Reading Board of Commissioners |
Monday, February 27, 2023 |
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