Park District Board Meeting to Discuss Gum Ranch Development

The will meet with officials from MBK Homes Property Management to discuss whether or not to include a park in its long-gestating housing development proposal.

MBK's housing proposal, the one it has been working on since 2007, included land consideration for a three-acre plot on the Gum Ranch to be used for a residential park, MBK spokesman Brian Holloway said. However, that may no longer be the case.

The property management company started exploring alternative uses for the land back in May. According to Holloway, MBK will present a proposal to the Park District that does not include a park in within the Madison-Kenneth special planning area, according to county planning and community development department documents.

Holloway noted it's just one option the property management team will explore. Other alternatives include sticking to the  that was proposed more than five years ago. The Park District is also being given an option to take the value of the three-acre park plot to be utilized somewhere else in Fair Oaks, Holloway said. How much that plot is worth would have to be determined by an appraiser, however.

Park District Administrator Maureen Zamarippa explained any decision made would have to be determined by the District Board, also noting she couldn't say for certain where a new park could be developed should the Board decide to take whatever valued price the three-acre plot is worth.

The District Board will meet with MBK Homes officials at its Sep. 19 meeting during the public information discussion. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside the Old Library. Residents are welcome to attend.

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