HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-09-13 - MinutesPRAB
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 1993
The meeting was called to order by Bill Waite at 5:30 pm in room
326 of the City Administration Building.
Members Present: Anderson, Driver, Kimbrough, Palmer, Savage,
Waite, Wright
Members Absent: McConnell
Staff Present:
Guests Present:
BUSINESS:
Clark, Cox, Edmonston
Richard Bundrick, Harry Gray, Donna Porter,
Maryette Carroll, Beth Kinzer, Emmie Anderson
I. MOTION: WRIGHT/KIMBROUGH
The minutes from the August 2, 1993 PRAB meeting were
approved unanimously 6-0.
II.
HORSESHOE ADDITION -GREEN SPACE
NW Park District
Acreage: 17.46 acres
Location: West of Porter
Styles
Units: 41 Single & 15 Duplex
Green Space Requirement:
Land: 41 (Single)
15 (Duplex) 30
PROPOSAL
Road & south of Life
$ in Lieu:
41 (Single)
15 (Duplex)
x .025 =
x .02 =
Total:
1.02 acres
.6 acres
1.62 acres
x $225 = $9,225
30 x $180 = $5,400
Total: $14,625
A legal 'opinion was obtained from the Assistant City
Attorney stating that the ordinance would not allow the
contribution of some land and the remaining balance to
plant trees in the subdivision. However, a partial.
dedication of land and money in lieu would be to the
discretion of PRAB and the Planning Commission as long as
the requirements of the ordinance are met. (See Memo
from LaGayle McCarty)
After receiving legal opinion, Mr. Bundrick has requested
to dedicate two lots and an easement, and the money in
lieu as the balance of the requirement. (See letter)
Harry Gray, Engineer, said that the two lots proposed for
a park totaled .38 acres and the easement was .04 acres,
for a total of .42 acres of land dedication. Calculating
the dedicated acreage into the green space formula, this
PRAB Page 2
accounts for 17 single family units (17 x .025 = .425).
This leaves a deficit of 24 single family units (24 x
$225 = $5,400) and 15 duplexes (30 x $180 = $5,400) for
a total of $10,800 money in lieu required in addition to
the .42 acres.
MOTION: KIMBROUGH/WRIGHT
The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept
the combination of land, .42 acres and money, $10,800 for
the green space requirement for Horseshoe Addition.
MOTION APPROVED 5-2 (PALMER AND WAITE NAY)
DISCUSSION:
Waite: Is this land suitable for a park in acreage and
access? This would be the smallest park we have, and the
access is relatively hard. Hotz Park is an acre, and
this is much smaller.
Wright: We could fit playground equipment on this land.
Lifestyles would have access to the park.
Waite: I am still worried about the access.
Palmer: Is Asbell Park close?
Kimbrough: It is within walking distance, but there are
major streets to cross.
Bundrick: The reason I want to give this land to the
City is for the kids. The kids on Megan Drive play
basketball on the street.
Palmer: Do you have a guess to the cost to equip this
land with playground equipment?
Clark: $10,000 would be a small playground. The life
would be 10-15 years.
Anderson: How are people going to get to this park?
Edmonston: It would be more of a sub -neighborhood park
that people would walk to.
Kimbrough: There are three points I would like to make:
1. According to the proposed master plan, we need
to focus on sub -neighborhood parks.
2. There are two neighborhood for this park to
serve.
3. Lifestyles can use the park.
Gray: A new apartment complex on Sycamore should be
approved soon. This would serve them, too.
Wright: The money from this subdivision could pay for
equipment for the park.
Anderson: I like the idea of small parks, but I am
concerned with the remoteness. Will it get used?
Kimbrough: I don't know. It is on the far north side.
Bundrick: It is just a five minute stroll from Megan
Drive.
Clark: I recommend sub -neighborhood parks. This is a
good area to try it in.
•
PRAB Page 3
Waite: We have to decide if it is suitable for a sub -
neighborhood park because of the access.
III. GREEN SPACE PLATS
Hillside Terrace Estates
Owner/Developer: H.L. Cornish/Sterling
Investments & Developer/Carl Ledbetter
Location: E of Crossover; S of Charter Vista
Park District/Acreage: Northeast/6.71 acres
Units: 6 Single Units, 8 Duplexes
Land Dedication Requirement: .47 acres
Money In Lieu of Requirement: $4,230
MOTION:DRIVER/SAVAGE
The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept
money, $4,230, in lieu of land for the green space
requirement for Hillside Terrace Estates.
MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0
DISCUSSION:
Wright: What is the closest park?
Clark: Lake Fayetteville
Wright: There would not be enough families in this area
to support a sub -neighborhood park.
Brophy Addition I.
Owner/Developer: Ralph Brophy
Location: N of Township; E of Hwy 71B
Park District/Acreage: Northeast/1.27 acres
Units- 10 Duplexes
Land Dedication Requirement: .40 acres
Money In Lieu of Requirement: $3,600
NOTION:DRIVER/ANDERSON
The PRAB recommends to the Planning Commission to accept
money, $3,600, in lieu of land for the green space
requirement for Brophy Addition I.
MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0
IV. LAKE FAYETTEVILLE SOUTH BOTANICAL GARDEN PROPOSAL
Donna Porter: I have added a page to the proposal to
cover the necessary structures for a garden. They are:
1. Visitor Education Center
2. Glass Conservatory
3. Grounds Maintenance Building
4. Support Greenhouse
5. Plant Nursery
PRAB Page 4
Waite: How is the Eureka Springs garden run?
Porter: It is a private for-profit garden. A garden in
Fayetteville would be beneficial to the community and
visitors. I set up a survey at the Farmer's market two
days a week. I got the names and addresses of people
interested in becoming a member of the garden. I
obtained 492 signatures of people who are willing to take
money out of their back pocket to support this. I talked
to visitors, too. Many of them look for gardens when
they enter a City. After the Farmer's Market, where do
visitors go? Should we send them to Eureka? No keep
them here in Fayetteville.
Waite: How does Eureka do?
Porter: Pretty good. They charge $8 or $9 which I think
is a steep price. The people I surveyed were not just
from Fayetteville. One lady that is planning on moving
here soon wants to support the garden. It is hard to
gain substantial contributors this early. I talked to
the A & P Committee, and they might have funds. Others
are interested like Butterfield Trail, Master Gardeners,
the Mayor, Stephen Miller, Hal Brown, David Malone, and
many others. Ninety-five percent of the people I talked
to thought the garden was a great idea. I think this
would be a gold mine(not monetarily). Bylaws could be
written by end of 1993, and I will form a friend's group.
These friends want to help in any way they can. We would
need temporary office space. Site surveys could be
completed by end of 1994. Then funding is the issue.
Driver: Your effort and idea are commendable. What
acreage do other communities support?
Porter: It varies depending on how much is available.
I would think 30 or 40 acres of the wooded area can be
utilized as well as the cleared area.
Waite: There is plenty of land, but the shape may not be
desirable. It is shaped like a dumbbell.
Porter: It is already a suitable park. We would be
starting with good land, so there would be no
construction.
Wright: Can the less costly buildings be built first?
Porter: The higher cost buildings are the most important
and would need to be built first.
Waite: We have to decide which way we want this park to
go.
Driver- Why can't a garden co -exist with other
activities in this park?
Porter: The park needs to be secured. I don't think
this area is big enough to accommodate a garden and
volleyball courts.
Palmer: Would this be an organization within the Parks
Department. Would we make recommendations? I foresee a
public meeting.
Wright: We could move volleyball to another location.
PRAB Page 5
Waite: The public meeting we had at Lake Fayetteville
South was mostly for volleyball and jogging trails.
Driver: Has the grant been sent in for this park?
Edmonston: Yes.
Kimbrough: What exactly are you requesting?
Porter: For the land to develop a botanical garden.
Clark: There are between 80-125 acres in this area.
Driver: There would have to be a body formed for the
garden before we could approve.
Waite: We would have to have a contract with this body,
maybe shared Board members.
Emmie Anderson: We have more sports than anything. We
need a garden. Have you had a better offer for Lake
Fayetteville South than this. The situation there has
not improved, and we need to think ahead. Fayetteville
has a bigger potential, and we can do better. We have a
plan with a great person wanting to do it.
Edmonston: Would this be a City garden or the non-profit
group?
Porter: We could have City members on the Board.
Wright: I think we should have a public meeting and not
keep Donna on the line.
Driver: There is a certain debt to the volleyball
association for their years of support and work at Lake
Fayetteville South.
Barbara Duncan: I would love to commit to this garden,
and I play volleyball, also. This garden would enhance
the community more than a place to play volleyball. You
can put equipment in another park. Look at the future,
at Donna's vision. Fayetteville has the Walton Arts
Center and the Razorbacks. Where else would be a great
place to put a botanical garden.
Waite: The plan was not just sports. It also included
trails, picnic areas, etc.
Porter: I was approached by some men that use the park.
They said they only use it to "socialize." Hal Brown
does not feel comfortable taking children from the Study
Center to the south side. The problem won't go away with
just trails and a large pavilion. It will take much more
to get rid of the reputation.
Wright: The plan could still include picnic areas and
trails?
Porter: It could, but the open area is very precious for
the garden. There might be a small fee charged, and
people just wanting to jog or picnic would not want to
pay.
Kimbrough: This is a good idea, but we don't have a
feasibility study. What population supports a garden?
Porter: In the article on the Eureka Springs garden, it
'varied. I cannot afford to do a feasibility study. If
an organization is set up, it could be done.
PRAB Page 6
Waite: We need to get feelings. We already have a plan
that has been approved.
Driver: Don't think of the PRAB as an obstacle. Our
interest is working with you and the public. We need to
gather more information.
Porter: I talked to some volleyball players. I told
them we are not "kicking" them out.
MOTION:PALMER/WRIGHT
The PRAB recommends to set a date for a public meeting to
receive input for the feasibility of Donna Porter's
botanical garden proposal for Lake Fayetteville South
Park.
MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY 7-0
Waite: On the east side of the park, there could be a
partition, and maybe put volleyball there.
Porter: I need to know adjoining property owners. The
only map I found was from 1950.
Clark: That was the last map. The boundaries have not
changed. There was interest in a botanical garden about
15 years ago by the Study Center.
Porter: That area would invade Hal.
Clark: That area is out of the Study Center area.
Waite: Considering the amount of land, it seems
volleyball, trails, and a garden are not mutually
exclusive.
Wright: Could you make a map of alternate areas around
Lake Fayetteville besides the south park?
Anderson: What will the structure of the organization be
in the future? Maybe the Parks Department should help
organize with the group of friends, and take it one step
at a time. As far as the leasing of land, what if the
strength of the organization dwindles someday. I think
the Parks Department should be involved in the ownership.
We do this with soccer and volleyball. They give money
and expertise, but the City still oversees it.
Porter: What do I need to do for the public meeting?
Palmer: A short conceptual overview.
Driver: Is there way to see money amounts for certain
acres. Such as "for 10 acres = x amount of money."
Porter: I have had trouble getting other garden's
budgets. They are reluctant to give them out. I don't
want to throw numbers out.
Wright: Memphis should give you their budget. They are
a City owned garden. I will help you call these people.
Porter: One place had a visitor center before the garden
for lectures, and to let people know about the potential
of the garden.
Waite: Tell what staff is required for the project.
PRAB Page 7
The public meeting is tentatively set for September 27,
1993 at 7:00 pm.
V. GREEN SPACE REPORT
Clark: We are waiting on the engineers for development
in Lewis and Davis Park. The money in the northwest will
be used in these parks.
Palmer: Send a memo to the engineers from the PRAB
telling of our needs and ask for a date to be outlined.
Edmonston: We need to review projects in the southwest
park district. If community development funds come
through for Finger park, we may need green space money
for that park. There is also Bates, Youth Center; and
Leverett Parks in the southwest.
Palmer: Give us two or three priorities.
VI. CITY POOL REPORT
Driver: Why are the revenues up so much?
Palmer: A 12 percent increase, doubles money?
Clark: The economic climate is up.
Edmonston: Sales were up quite a bit. We still need to
raise our fees, and people are abusing our season passes.
Springdale is using our plan of the discount tickets,
now.
Palmer: What about no discounts.
Edmonston: Our biggest user is kids. They need a break
on prices.
Anderson: What is the largest attendance day?
Edmonston: 905 patrons.
Clark: I took summer camp kids to Withrow Park pool. It
is very clean and nice, but their average attendance is
100 patrons.
VII. NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL & CITY GYM COOPERATION
Clark- I met with Superintendent, Winston Simpson, Mayor
Hanna, and City Attorney, Jerry Rose, about a new
recreational center in coordination with the new
elementary school. Newt Haley is drawing plans now. We
received support from the Mayor, and passed the
information on to the School Board. One school will be
on Salem Road. The developer has proposed to give 15
acres in addition to the school land. The other site is
on Highway 45 and Highway 265.
Kimbrough: It this more like a youth center or Asbell
gym?
Clark: It would be in comparison to an expanded Asbell
gym.
Waite: It is still a satellite site, but it is more than
a gym.
PRAB Page 8
Wright: Will it come out of Parks budget?
Edmonston: It will come for City budget, and maybe green
space.
Clark: The school is on line for the 1995 year.
Wright: They are going to start schools where there are
no houses while Root school is out of room.
Clark: They will start the school on the west side of
town first.
Kimbrough: Are we just wanting a building on the west,
or on both sites?
Clark: Just the west for now.
Waite: Staffing the building would be after school and
summers.
Wright: What is the acreage on the east?
Clark: Possibly 67 acres, including Crossover Park.
OTHER BUSINESS:
MASTER PLAN
Larry Wood will be here on October 4, 1993 with the
master plan. Any additional comments need to be given to
Larry Wood at the Northwest Regional Planning Office.
Kimbrough: I haven't seen any changes since my requests.
Edmonston: We will check with Larry Wood.
Wright: Single family units have decreased by 8 percent.
I have been doing research on this.
SPORTS COMPLEX
Kimbrough: What role do we play with the sports complex?
Palmer: Nothing until it becomes a reality.
Clark: I am on the steering committee for a site
location.
Kimbrough: There should be some PRAB input into a
recreational facility.
Waite: I don't see a problem with Larry's association
right now.
Anderson: Can A & P Committee give money back to the
City?
Palmer: It is supposed to be a private venture.
MOTION:PALMER/ANDERSON
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Minutes Approved"._ti_
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