Plans to build Sammamish’s first community garden at Beaver Lake Park are no more.

The City Council voted June 5 to stop spending money on the site, instructing city staff to come back with proposals to two other sites — the Lower Commons or Southeast Eighth Street Park.

Prompted by a presentation from the Sammamish Community Garden Steering Committee, the Council decided it would be best to explore other options.

“I commend you for stepping up and reaching out to us,” said John James, deputy mayor. “Oftentimes when the wheels of the bus get turning it’s easy to go along with it.”

The steering committee raised its concerns with various aspects of the Beaver Lake site. Member Ann Precup highlighted several issues, including power lines that run over the property, inadequate parking, a difficult terrain for planting and limited sunlight.

As an alternative, the steering committee gave its unanimous approval for the Lower Commons, an area located below Sammamish City Hall.

“We believe by locating it there it will give Sammamish more of a sense of community with a garden being more centrally located, it would be more impactful to all residents,” said committee member Stephanie Hibner.

The group highlighted many positives about the site, including exposure to sunlight, a flat surface and ample parking. They also said that the cost would be significantly cheaper, noting the Lower Commons would cost approximately $94,000, while Beaver Lake would cost around $204,000.

Some of the Council, like Nancy Whitten, were willing to throw their immediate support to the Lower Commons, but others like Tom Vance wanted more information from staff reports and community input.

City Manager Ben Yacizi was also adamant about taking more time in the process.

“Our plate is full,” he said. “We’re working on the community center. We’re trying to get the budget ready, we’re working on construction projects. This is not the way we operate here. Give us some time to work on the issue.”

Yacizi said it would be more realistic to place the garden in the 2013-2014 plan.

James, who also supports looking at constructing a community garden at the Southeast Eighth Street Park, promised committee that Sammamish residents will eventually have a place to jointly grow crops.

“It’s not if we’re going to have a community garden, it’s where,” he said.”The question becomes where would be the best place to have it?”