Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2023 09 13

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Open Space Advisory Board Minutes August 9, 2023 Page 2 of 2 land, it should create a memo about recommending it. Ember added that city staff members would not engage with the process, unless OSAB gave the green light to go forward. Laura said she liked the land. It provides a buffer to the trail, it has tall cottonwood trees, and it is adjacent to a ditch. She added that while the parcel is very small, most future acquisitions in the city are likely to be small slivers, as large parcels are rare and expensive. She is interested in having the land conserved, possibly as a fee simple acquisition. Susan said that she was also in favor and felt some urgency about moving quickly. Ember said that staff preliminary research revealed that the parcel may have been donated or sold to Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing. David asked about the potential for a conservation easement on the parcel. Jessamine thought it probably already had a set back on it. She added that a trail setback might be a good way to satisfy the goals of the board. Michiko asked if it was possible for the city to trade the property for a different one so the goal of affordable housing could still be met. David cautioned that OSAB should only discuss this particular parcel. Michiko thought it was a good piece of land for buffering and connectivity. She added that she felt it was not a safe place to build housing. Jojo expressed support for the land for Open Space, though they also care about the issue of affordable housing. Several other board members echoed a general concern about affordable housing in Louisville. The board was unanimous in supporting the idea that the city explore the potential of the parcel for Open Space. The board is interested in exploring a range of possibilities, including fee simple acquisition, conservation easements, and trail setback. Susan volunteered to write a memo and Ember said she would send it to the City Manager and then on to Council. 6. Field Tour to Potential Open Space Candidate Parcels. Opportunities for Preserving Open Space and Improving Trail Connectivity. The Open Space Advisory Board drove together in a van to the parcels listed in the Meeting Packet. When safe, the board got out of the van and discussed the parcels. Inside the van, no discussion could take place, due to open meeting rules. Each board member ranked each parcel on a spreadsheet, according to three metrics of Natural Resource Value, User Experience Value, and Strategic Value, and will supply their completed spreadsheet to Ember no later than noon on August 16. These spreadsheets will be combined and discussed at a future OSAB meeting, either September or October, at which point the resulting documentation will be made public record. 7. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.