It is predicted that in the near future, the Florida Department of Community affairs will add teeth to its final piece of the Growth Management Act, Parks and Open Space. Under Concurrency Management Systems driven by Florida Statute 163, communities are required to set and meet level of Service Standards for Parks, Recreation and Open Space. Failure to comply with the Level of Service standard comes with the usual penatilities, inability to make Comprehensive plan amendments, loss of transfer funds etc. This means communities will be requiring developers to make good on their concurrency obligation for either park land dedication, money contribution or a combination of both. City managers and city planners should explain early in the process that recreation facilities must be available to the general public for them to be counted toward the Municipal Parks and Recreation Level of Service. Any facility within a gated community definitely does not count. A community should have a defendable Parkland Dedication Ordinance that clearly outlines the essential nexus between fees imposed to the need created by the proposed development, the land eligible for dedication, payments and approvals, improvements required before dedications are accepted and right of way. The developer should make sure that the park or fee in lieu of land dedication will service his development in a meaningful manner.

Recreation

Over the last six months MJA Consulting has been approached by a half dozen investor groups to conduct pre-feasibility and design studies on high-end sports related lifestyle communities. From racing antique European sports cars and mud bogging 4-wheelers, to Airparks and golf courses to highline water-skiing and minor league baseball training facilities, these leisure lifestyle communities have a sporting facility as the core of these gated communities. The facilities are to be managed by the homeowners association with help from all the stakeholders. Tracy Mullins, MJA Consulting's Outdoor Recreation specialist works closely with all the stakeholders to create a business plan that would enhance spectator and competitor experiences within a New Urbanism environment. Planning a new facility can be a complex process with a real cost impact. If you are developing a leisure lifestyle community based around a sports facility where do you begin?

Start by identifying the critical items that will lead toward a successful private sports facility design. First, who will be utilizing the facility, who will the spectators be? Have you considered shared use? In current economic times, shared use may maximize the number of event days and funding available for a facility. Multiple organizations can utilize facilities and still remain exclusive. Second, what events will take place at the facility? Will it host private functions, charitable events or practices? Is the venue available for rental or only to be used by the members of the neighborhood Association?

Site issues are also important, for facilities can have a big impact on infrastructures. Finding the cheapest land possible is a short-term solution that often leads to long-term problems. A MJA Pre-feasibility study helps the client with these important issues: site location and land availability, utility services availability, parking and access, zoning and land use and environmental impact. It is important to establish goals for how spectators experience the sporting activities. Even if spectators are just friends and family easy access to restrooms, food and beverage are important considerations. The most critical guideline for seating is to maintain site lines for clean uncompromised views of the events. The type of seating will depend upon the experience you wish to provide. For an old fashion rustic experience, fixed seats and bleachers covered or open air, for an upgraded experience club seating or enclosed suites. Food and beverage range from grills and outdoor kitchen facilities, to outside concessionaires. Athletic facilities for competitors should include locker rooms for members and visitors, training space, and Referee/Umpire/Judges facilities. Don't forget about the people and spaces to keep the facilities running smoothly. You can never have enough storage. Plan spaces for all of the necessary support services. MJA Consulting designs these facilities along the lines of Disney model, you should never encounter back of “back of house” maintenance in full view of the client. MJA Consultings Generalist Planners also have specialty niche markets for which they are known, Tracy Mullins holds an Honors Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Park Planning degree and has planned international tourism and sports mega events like the Sir Alexander Sea to Sea Expeditions and the Superior Circle Sled Dog Races.