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LETTER FROM U.S. HOME RE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAM FOR COUNTRYSIDE ANNEXATION II (2) I I ),,<,, ~/rc" /// ./.~, .( I , / /1/7/" '7 " [US-Home, October 21, 1976 ~\,~ \~f U.S. HOME CORPORATION- PINELLAS DIVISION One Countryside Office Park P.O. Box 5000. Clearwater, Florida 33518 Mr. Pi cot Fl oyd City Manager City of Clearwater P.O. Box 4748 Clearwater, FL 33518 / Subject: Proposed Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Program for Countryside Annexation II 1= ILE"" ~-~ Dear Mr. Floyd: We are pleased to present our proposed comprehensive parks and recreation pro- gram which has been developed in close cooperation with the Clearwater Planning and Parks Departments. Our proposal is covered in (a) this letter which out- lines the program; (b) a Countryside land use map delineating the proposed park sites and how they fit into the overall community plan; and (c) scaled site plans illustrating the type and location of various recreational facili- ties that can be accommodated on each park. This program has been developed in connection with our forthcoming Countryside Annexation II which will consist of approximately 443 acres. As previously discussed with your office and City staff, we would propose retaining existing Tract 7 consisting of 5 acres and re-zoning the property from Park to RS-50 Single Family. Consequently, the 10 percent acreage dedication requirement for Annexation II would require a minimum donation of 49.3 acres. We are proposing to deed park sites B, C, and D consisting of 50.6 acres to meet the Annexation II donation requirements. At the City's request, we would also donate park site A consisting of 2 acres. In addition, approximately 13 acres of lake in Tract 20 (park site C) would be made available; 5 acres of which would be deeded to the City, and a recreation easement granted for the remaining 8 acres. In addition to the annexation acreage donation requirements, two overall guide- lines helped shape this program: 1. Regional Parks Concept In selecting the tracts for the proposed Countryside parks system, we followed a regional concept pattern. Rather than splinters of pock- ets, we believe these sites offer full utilization of a wide range of recreational activities plus best access from residential"zones" through- out the community. Our goal was to provide efficient recreation access for future as well as current residents of Countryside. /D I I Page 2 Mr. Picot Floyd October 21, 1976 2. Preparation Contribution Although the tracts proposed will be City owned, equipped and main- tained parks, we are anxious for Clearwater/Countryside residents to en- joy benefits of an active recreation program quickly; in fact, within 120 days. Therefore, in three of the four proposed regional sites, U.S. Home would agree to make additional contributions (other than land) in the form of labor, materials and/or equipment. For your review and approval, the following is a summary of the proposed Country- side parks program including land and other U.S. Home contributions: Park Site A - 2.0r Acres This site is immediately adjacent to the existing park in Tract 33. The addi- tional land is being made available at the City's request to ensure that ade- quate space is available to construct all the currently planned facilities, specifically the neighborhood center, parking lot and swimming pool. In addi- tion, the enlarged regional park site would now have frontage off the proposed collector street located along the east property line. This would provide more efficient and safer access to the park for Countryside residents--particularly the children of the Woodgate community. Upon commitment of the City to construct the parking lot and the community cen- ter--or the parking lot and the swimming pool, we would also agree to construct a stabilized roadway for access until such time as the permanent road is con- structed. U.S. Home would also relocate the overhead Florida Power lines pre- sently set along the east property line of Tract 33. We would also agree to deed this property to the City immediately if this would facilitate your funding and improvements program. This immediate deed agreemen) is conti ngent upon the City's commi tment to have either the community centerJ /< and/or swimming pool improvements underway within the next 12 months. /( Park Site B - 10.6r Acres .J ",-" ii This site was previously commited to the City as part of the Annexation II program and was included in our site plan approval for Tract 50 - Cypress Bend. It is proposed that this site be developed with a nature and picnic area as illustrated on the enclosed site plan. U.S. Home proposes to construct all of the indicated improvements prior to deeding the land to the City including site grading and seeding, picnic tables, benches, nature path and landscaping at the entrance off Winding Wood Drive. Park Site C - 20.0! Acres Park Site C is one of the two regional recreation areas north of S.R. 580 and the first to be available for residents' use. The site is suitable for two baseball diamonds, a football field, six tennis courts, multi-purpose courts and lake recreation as shown on the proposed site plan. I I Page 3 Mr. Picot Floyd October 21, 1976 Approximately 5 acres of the lake would be deeded to the City over and above the tract's 20 acres for parkland. In addition, we would give the City an easement to the remaining 8 acres of the lake for recreation purposes. Deed restrictions for the entire lake would prohibit use of any motor powered boats including gas or electric motors. Public access to the lake would be restricted to the City owned frontage on the west side of the lake. Upon acceptance of the Countryside parks program, U.s. Home would make several improvements on this site within a 120 day period, in order to make this re- gional site quickly available to Countryside residents. These improvements, to be made prior to deeding the tract to the City, would consist of: a. Construction of a temporary stabilized road and parking area at the site until such time that a permanent road and parking area is established. b. Final shaping and grading of the lake. c. Planting grass seed in the open areas. d. Landscaping of the north end of the lake and park to create a visual and sound buffer between Clubhouse Estates, Unit One, and the park. e. Install four picnic tables and benches. f. Construct a tot lot area. g. Make available water and sewer to the north end of the tract for restroom facilities. Park Site D - 21.01 Acres This site represents the second regional recreation area north of S.R. 580. It would be developed approximately two to three years following annexation of the 3501 acre addition to the north. The property would accommodate essentially the same active recreation facilities as proposed for Park Site C as illustrated on the enclosed site plan. U.S. Home would provide the access road to the site and would assist the City in~veloping the nature and picnic areas similar to the concept developed for regional Park C. As previously stated, this parks program is submitted to satisfy our parks dedi- cation requirements for Annexation II and is contingent upon the City and our company achieving a mutually acceptable annexation of the 443 acres currently located in the County. Since the parks program is integrally related to the overall land use plans for Countryside, we are submitting the full program to you at this time for administrative approval prior to our proceeding with the final land use plans and Community Impact Statement for Annexation II. Upon written acceptance of this proposal by the City, we will proceed simulta- neously in three areas: I I .' , r ~ Page 4 Mr. Picot Floyd October 21,1976 1. Deeding the two areas adjacent to Tract 33 to the City under the provisions outlined. 2. Commence construction of park improvements as outlined in Parks A, B, and C so that all of the construction commitments can be completed within 120 days from date of your written acceptance. 3. Complete final land use plans and presentation required for annexation. We anticipate working with you and your staff in the same spirit of cooperation that existed during all development and conceptual phases of this proposed parks program. We look forward to your acceptance--knowing that the ultimate bene- factors of our mutual efforts will be the present and future residents of Clearwater/Countryside. Very truly yours, ~~ enneth L. Klng, P. Vice President Community Development enc. cc: Mr. Warren Renando, Acting Planning Director (with Enclosures) Mr. Eddie Moore, Parks & Recreation Director (with Enclosures)