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Politics & Government

Plan to Preserve Park in Ballinger Neighborhood Passes Another Hurdle

The plan will likely go before the city council in about two weeks

The Shoreline Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend a plan that would preserve 6 to 7 acres of open space in the Ballinger neighborhood for a park after tweaking some of the zoning language.

“I think this is just a win-win-win situation,” Commissioner Michael Broili said.

The commission voted in favor of the plan a but held off on passing along the zoning language while staff changed several lines that would require a stricter buffer between the piece of property and properties bordering the northeast corner.

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The revision came after commissioners pushed for greater protection of the vegetation along the property line and property owners in that area voiced concern that they would have little to buffer their homes from the effects of potential apartment complexes or other facilities that could be built on the property.

Much of the debate on Monday focused on whether to require a developer to construct a 6-foot fence along the property line in the northeastern corner to aid buffering, but the commission voted 5-1 to strike that requirement from the zoning language. Broili suggested leaving the requirement out so property owners could make the decision to install fencing.

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The updated language will require stricter vegetation retention in the area, however.

The zoning revision also made it clear that the park would have to be located in the bottom half of the property, where most of the open space already exists and is used as a recreational spot. The new requirement was in response to worry that a developer could make the park in a strange shape that would be less functional or accessible.

“You really cannot make the park into a donut now,” Planning Director Joseph Tovar said.

Representing the Shoreline School District, who owns the property, attorney Rich Hill praised the plan and said the school district supports the revisions.

Tovar said he expects the plan to go before the city council in about two weeks.

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