Update: 9.26.16 – The Johnston Planning and Zoning Commission heard a presentation on this report. City staff reported that feedback from developers thus far had been positive.
The Neighborhood Development Corporation has presented a report to the City of Johnston concerning the availability of outdoor recreational amenities for residents of apartments and townhomes. The impetus apparently stemmed from reports that such developments had a higher volume of calls for service to Johnston police. Of interest to developers is the discussion about future “recreational amenity requirements” for multi-residential developments in Section 4 of the report.
The report includes a case study of Sultan, Washington. The community of 4,700 residents has established minimum requirements to be set aside for recreation in a development. Developments are then required to establish certain types of amenities based on certain criteria. The report goes on to make recommendations for standards in Johnston (see section 4.4 of the report).
The full report is posted here, and the report concludes by suggesting that it be used as the basis for a dialogue with stakeholders. Developers are encouraged to review the report, and to provide comments to Council members and staff.