Public Hearing and adoption of Resolution No. 2022-8-4(R) to approve the use or taking of a portion of City of Plano public parkland, known as Oak Point Recreation Center, pursuant to Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code to approve using a portion of dedicated parkland as a permanent utility easement for the purpose of sanitary sewer improvements located at 6000 Jupiter Road; authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to execute all necessary documents; and providing an effective date. Conducted and adopted.

The City of Plano needs to make sanitary sewer improvements on parkland known as Oak Point Recreation Center.  The improvements will not impact the existing recreation center.  These improvements will service the Plano Event Center development as part of the Plano Event Center Wastewater Improvements, Project No. 7201.1 and will accommodate the new development to support the existing Plano Event Center with increased capacity and efficiency. The proposed easements are to install the new infrastructure on parkland and provide temporary construction access during installation.

Chapter 26, Section 26.001 of the Parks And Wildlife Code states that “A department, agency, political subdivision, county, or municipality of this state may not approve any program or project that requires the use or taking of any public land designated and used prior to the arrangement of the program or project as a park, recreation area, scientific area, wildlife refuge, or historic site, unless the department, agency, political subdivision, county, or municipality, acting through its duly authorized governing body or officer, determines that:

(1)  there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use or taking of such land; and
(2) the program or project includes all reasonable planning to minimize harm to the land, as a park, recreation area, scientific area, wildlife refuge, or historic site, resulting from the use or taking.”

The new sanitary sewer alignment will maintain current service without disruption of service to existing facilities or residents during construction, takes advantage of the existing topography to move wastewater efficiently and economically and avoids heavy impacts to existing trees at Oak Point Park Nature Preserve to the north. The installation of this infrastructure will not impair the function or aesthetics of the park. Engineering staff have consulted with Parks staff to design the project with minimal damage to the parkland.

The Department noticed the Chairperson for the Parks and Recreation Planning Board and the public by publication. The matter was heard by the Parks and Recreation Planning Board on June 28, 2022 and received the Board’s support.

If not approved, alternatives to the proposed utilities location are potentially less efficient and more damaging to trees. If proposed utilities are not approved at all, the property cannot be developed.

No other future action is required.

This item has no financial impact.

Approval of this item will support the City's Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor of being an Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government.