AGENDA ITEM REPORT
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A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SITE PLAN APPLICATION FOR THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF LAKESIDE PARK, AN EXISTING CITY PARK FACILITY LOCATED AT 5555 REGENCY LAKES BOULEVARD, LEGALLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT “A,” ATTACHED HERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF. (QUASI-JUDICIAL)(PUBLIC HEARING)
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BACKGROUND:
This item was tabled at the June 8, 2023, City Commission Meeting. As discussed at that meeting and throughout the 2024 Budget process, funding restraints have resulted in the need to phase the construction of improvements to Lakeside Park. A multiple phase approach will be used with the first phase of construction anticipated to start in 2024. Phase 1 will focus on the existing park property and will include the construction of four (4) pickleball courts, two (2) half-basketball courts, a batting cage, and sidewalk improvements.
Lakeside Park, located at 5555 Regency Lakes Boulevard, was originally approved in 1996 as part of the larger master planned community of Regency Lakes. This site plan is made up of two (2) separate parcels. The southern parcel is the existing Lakeside Park, fronting along Regency Lakes Boulevard. The northern parcel, immediately north of the existing park, is vacant and fronts Johnson Road.
The original Regency Lakes Plat was approved by the City Commission on September 21, 1993, by Ordinance No. 129-93. Pursuant to that Ordinance, conditions of approval required an 8.2 acre site dedication to satisfy a portion of the required parks and recreation impacts for the Regency Lakes development. Conceptual park design was developed during the rezoning and incorporated into what would become the Regency Lakes Planned Unit Development (PUD).
Desirous of expanding the existing Lakeside Park facility, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2016-008 at its February 25, 2016, meeting, authorizing the purchase of the vacant 4.84 northern parcel along Johnson Road from the School Board of Broward County.
DISCUSSION:
One of the many goals in the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan is to enhance existing parks citywide. Lakeside Park was evaluated and numerous enhancements were recommended to be included in this site plan. The expansion of Lakeside Park would consist of over 13 acres of passive and active recreational park activities. Once fully developed under the proposed site plan, the park will have vehicular and pedestrian access from Regency Lakes Boulevard and Johnson Road. Area residents and adjacent commercial tenants will have easy access to picnic areas, walking trails, exercise stations, and more. Below is a summary of the proposed park amenities for both the north parcel and the south parcel. Due to the preliminary cost estimates, the phasing of this project is being discussed as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget process. Staff will provide an update on phasing and budget constraints at the City Commission meeting.
Amenities proposed on the north parcel include:
• Open-air amphitheater with covered stage
• Open multi-purpose field for event seating and sports activities
• Restroom building
• Parking along Johnson Road to service amphitheater
• Food truck parking with large pedestrian gathering area
• North-south sidewalk connection between both parcels
• Exercise stations
• Fifty-six (56) additional parking spaces
• LED lighting
• Dual port Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station servicing both ADA and standard parking space
• Drainage and landscaping
Facilities proposed on the south parcel include:
• Landscape “clean-up”
• Two (2) new basketball courts (half court)
• Four (4) new pickleball courts
• New fencing
• LED lighting
• Drainage and landscaping
Public Involvement
In addition to the substantial outreach efforts as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Planning process, the City conducted public outreach as part of this application’s review process. The City was required to perform community outreach and provide project information to neighboring property owners and hear and address concerns and issues raised through this process. Parks and Recreation Director Wayne Tobey, City staff, and the project consultant facilitated the public outreach meeting, and a Community Outreach Summary for the project is included as part of the agenda backup for this application. Key efforts resulting from the outreach effort included a meeting held at 4455 Sol Press Boulevard on May 31, 2022, at 6:30 p.m., which was intended to provide a forum for residents and businesses but was open to the public. On August 16, 2023, another presentation to adjacent residents was provided at the Coconut Creek Police and Fire BBQ in the Regency Lakes neighborhood. To date, staff has not received any resident inquiries related to the project.
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff has reviewed this application and finds the proposed site plan, subject to condition listed below, to be in compliance with Article III, “Zoning Regulations,” of the City of Coconut Creek Land Development Code and recommends approval.
The Planning and Zoning Board, at its September 14, 2022, meeting, recommended approval of this application subject to the below condition of approval. Outstanding DRC comments are included in the Planning & Zoning Board Agenda backup are available online for your review:
1. Outstanding DRC comments remain effective throughout the development review process and must be addressed prior to the issuance of a building permit unless otherwise stated therein.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A