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What is a Pre-Development Assessment Plan?
A Pre-Development Assessment Plan (PDAP) is conducted on an undeveloped park property after the site has been acquired by the City of Raleigh and before any master planning for the site occurs. The intent of the Pre-Development Assessment Plan (PDAP) is to document existing conditions, inventory natural resources, and provide an interim management plan prior to master planning and park development. The PDAP will provide recommendations for development potential based on opportunities and constraints of the site as shown in the suitability analysis. The Pre-Development Assessment Plan (PDAP) includes context and site analysis, as well as data acquired by the State Historic Preservation Office and the NC Heritage Program.
Multiple site visits occur where City staff document site opportunities & constraints, and conduct natural & cultural resource inventory. While staff develop the PDAP document, they conduct a preliminary Nature Preserve assessment, as well as developing site suitability diagrams, and interim management recommendations. Once the PDAP document is reviewed by the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board (PRGAB), short-term management of the site begins.
This includes but is not limited to monitoring & mapping, invasive species control, and a full Nature Preserve criteria evaluation. On average, short-term management takes 3-5 years after the PDAP document is reviewed by PRGAB. New information gathered during the short-term management, as well as the results of the Nature Preserve criteria evaluation are then updated in the PDAP document. After short-term management is complete, the site moves into long-term management. This includes but is not limited to conservation of the site's plants, animals and their habitats. On average, long-term management takes place 5-10 years after the PDAP document is reviewed by PRGAB.
New information gathered during the long-term management is then updated in the PDAP document. At this point the site usually moves onto site master planning, although some sites may remain in long-term management past the 5-10 year mark. When the site moves onto the master planning phase, information from the PDAP will be included in the Situation Assessment, that is the first step of the master planning process.
What is a System Integration Plan?
In 2003, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department initiated the process to develop System Integration Plans (SIPs) for property that the City has acquired for future park development. The objective of a System Integration Plan is to document existing site conditions and constraints, develop a set of guidelines for the interim management of parkland prior to the initiation of a Master Plan, to establish the park's classification consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and if applicable, any proposed special intent for the park. The SIP is not intended to restrict the Master Plan process, but rather to enhance the overall park development process.
Important elements of a System Integration Plan include:
- marking property boundaries;
- identifying safety concerns and hazardous conditions; and
- conducting a site inventory to identify natural and cultural resources.
The site specific System Integration Plan is developed with input from the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board. A draft SIP is presented to the public through notification of adjacent and nearby property owners, Citizen Advisory Councils, registered neighborhood groups, and registered park support groups. The public is encouraged to provide comments at a formal presentation of the SIP to the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board. The SIP is then submitted to City Council for final action. A listing and status of system integration plans can be found on the Park and Greenway Projects webpage.