Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve the Development of the Naturally PSL Land Bank to Acquire, Conserve, and Activate Land for Parks, Conservation, and Passive Recreation
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Submitted By: Kate Parmelee, Deputy City Manager/Chief Innovation Officer
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of planning for a thriving future.
Executive Summary (General Business): The Naturally PSL Green Spaces & Places Initiative was developed in response to resident feedback requesting increased access to parks and green spaces. Several components of the initiative launched at the 2025 Citizen Summit. A critical next component of the initiative that has been recommended by the innovation team is the development of the Naturally PSL Land Bank.
Presentation Information: A 15-minute presentation will be provided by Deputy City Manager and Chief Innovation Officer Kate Parmelee and Nikki Zheng, Civic Designer and Bloomberg Harvard City Fellow
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council authorize staff to move forward with initiating the development of the Naturally PSL Land Bank and a city-affiliated 501(c)(3) entity to allow for private contributions to support land acquisition and activation activities for the purpose of increasing access to green space to residents; and 2. Authorize Staff to return with draft incorporation documents, governance framework, and an initial funding strategy for approval within 60 days, in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office and Finance Department.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and authorize staff to move forward with initiating the development of the Naturally PSL Land Bank and a city-affiliated 501(c)(3) entity to allow for private contributions to support land acquisition and activation activities for the purpose of increasing access to green space to residents; and 2. Authorize Staff to return with draft incorporation documents, governance framework, and an initial funding strategy for approval within 60 days in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office and Finance Department
2. Move that the Council provide direction.
Background: Naturally PSL was launched in 2025 following a year-long innovation project supported by the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins and the Centre for Public Impact. The team identified the need for a flexible mechanism to secure scarce parcels before the City fully develops. Community engagement in designing Naturally PSL highlighted strong resident support for preserving open space and adding neighborhood parks; the proposed land bank seeks to directly address these needs.
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Attachments: 1. Naturally PSL Land Bank Program
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
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Legal Sufficiency Review:
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