Woodburn Independent Online

Gervais decides to create SDC on new construction

• By: Rachel Cavanaugh  
• Published: 12/22/2009 10:20:42 AM

GERVAIS — The city of Gervais has adopted a park systems development charge (SDC) to build several new parks in town.
 
The measure, which comes after more than a year of planning and debate, is aimed at building new facilities, as well as improving current streets and pathways.
 
City Manager Sam Sasaki said Gervais presently lacks recreational use areas.
 
“We have no parks,” said Sasaki. “The council wanted to develop parks. Last year, we developed a tot lot park on Elm and First (streets). It’s for the younger kids. It doesn’t have baseball fields or whatever.”
 
He said the goal is to build several more under the Parks Capital Improvement Plan, which was adopted last fall.
 
The plan outlines three new parks, as well as a network of walking and bicycle paths, two gateways and several playing fields. The first area outlined is a 3.28-acre nature park in the northeast part of the city.
 
According to the plan, it would include play structures, a loop walking trail and rainwater gardens.
 
The second is a linear park that would run along the railroad tracks, with a walking path and landscaping. The last is a skate park, which would replace the aging one currently in use and accommodate children of “different ages and skill levels,” according to the outline.
 
The walking and bicycle path network would include street trees, landscaping and environmentally sound water treatments.
 
There would also be two gateways into town on small, city-owned parcels, which will be improved with new signs and improved landscaping.
 
The playing fields update would include the development of a new basketball court complex with courts of varying sizes, shelter, lighting and seating.
 
“This facility is intended to meet demand for the sport, increase safety and provide a community gathering area,” reads an excerpt from the plan.
 
“The facility would be built on school district property and not require any land acquisition.”
 
The plan outlines a total of about $3.28 million in improvements.
 
Sasaki stressed the ideas inside the plan are not yet concrete and could change.
 
SDCs are fees collected when new residential units are built and used for capital improvement. Gervais has never had one for parks and recreation before.
 
The measure was adopted at a Dec. 3 city council meeting.

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