HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-12 - Minutes• • PARKS S RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 12, 1998 The meeting was called to order at 5:22 p.m. by PRAB Chairman Ackerman in the Parks Office located at 1455 Happy Hollow Road. Members Present: Members Absent: Staff Present: Guests Present: Media Present: J3USINESS: Ackerman, Luttrell Bleidt, Charboneau, Judy, Staggs, Thiel Nelson, Rogers Kathy Thompson Jill Rohrback, Morning News THE DINERSTEIN COMPANIES: REVISED DEVELOPERS PARK FEE PROPOSAL Mr. Ackerman referred to a letter from Harold F. Heady, Developer/Construction Manager for the Dinerstein Companies, dated March 9 regarding a revised developers green space proposal. The proposal consists of three parts: "to gift the current land parcel (.78 acre)being used by the Children's House...along with another 4 acre...provide an access easement to the Children's House with its final location and configuration to be designed during the engineering phase of our apartment project design."; in addition to the land the developer proposes to pay a fee of $34,800; if the proposal is accepted the Public Works buildings and storage area must be vacated by June 15, 1998. Kevin Crosson, Director of Public Works, issued a memorandum on March 12 addressing the issue of vacating the facilities. This part of the request dealing with vacating the Public Works facility is an issue out of the jurisdiction of the PRAB. Mr. Ackerman stated that the proposal to give .78 acres being used by the Children's House along with another 4 acre to the City of Fayetteville for current and future use by the Children's House in his opinion would be a fair trade off and would allow for future expansion. Mr. Charboneau pointed out that Mr. Heady had originally stated that the land would be 1.5 acres. Mr. Ackerman said the engineers had reconfigured the amount of space actually needed and determined that an additional < acre was more than was needed for the expansion project. He said the 4 March 12, 1998 / Page 1 • • acre was adequate. Mr. Luttrell said the concern was to get as much space as possible but because the expansion plans were unknown, it was difficult to say exactly how much space that would be. The concern was to have a buffer zone; more space would provide greater distance from the proposed development. He said although he had reserves about the space, he found it difficult to vote against this proposal when Parks was willing to give up green space. MOTION: CHARBONEAU/BLEIDT Mr. Charboneau moved to recommend the acceptance of 1.28 acres of land for the Children's House usage. The Parks Division will not be responsible for maintaining this property. Also, accepting money in lieu formula of $34,800 to complete the green space requirement. The PRAB does not have the authority on determining when the Public Works facilities will be moved which is outlined as Item #3 in the proposal from Mr. Heady. Mr. Heady must refer back to City Administration on Item #3. [See attached letter from Director of Public Works, Kevin Crosson, dated 3/12/98 to the attention of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board]. The motion carried 5-0-0. Mr. Ackerman also requested a letter be drafted to Mr. Heady in response to this submitted proposal with copies sent to the Public Works Director and Children's House. SUTTON STREET PROPERTY PRAB members addressed the responses received regarding the proposed purchase of this property. Additional letters were distributed which were submitted by citizens regarding the Sutton Street property. Mr. Luttrell said it makes it very difficult to vote in favor when there is so much opposition by people nearest to the property. He said he felt the concept was good, but it was difficult to use public funds toward something that was not completely settled. He also agreed with Mr. Charboneau that the idea of the neighborhood forming a property association could be explored. Ms. Judy said the property was part of the city's heritage, and she did not want to see it turned into a development. Mr. Ackerman said the first issue to determine was whether the PRAB had an interest in the park. He said the price, at this time, was academic and if it were determined to move forward the price would be negotiated. The immediate issue is to determine whether it is realistically and justifiably appropriate to move forward with the pursuit of this property. Mr. Bleidt said this was not just an ordinary neighborhood park because of its historical value. He said he had received numerous calls and letters in support of the March 12, 1998 / Page 2 FAYETTEVILLE • • THE cm OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS Attachment "A" Kean o.c.ewoti Pubae week. greasy TO: Parks & Recreation Advisory Board FROM: Kevin Crosson, Director of Public Works k, DATE: March 12, 1998 SUBJ: Dinerstein Project For your information, we have evaluated thc request made by Mr. Harold Heady in his letter dated March 9, 1998 about vacating the facilities currently in use by our water and sewer operations by a date of June 15, 1998. We do not believe that we will be able to completely vacate the facilities any earlier than the date specified in our executed "Offer and Acceptance Contract". That date is identified as ten (10) months from May 15, 1998. We do believe, though, that arrangements could be made to allow thc buyer to begin work earlier than that date on mutually acceptable areas outside the footprint of our operation. Thanks for your consideration. • 115 WL51 ROL/MAIN rnot 517I 5754350 March 12, 1998 / Page 3 acquisition of this property. Mr. Bleidt said the interests of the • property owners immediately adjacent to the tract must be taken into consideration as well as the interests of the entire neighborhood; since this is located in the historic district of the city, then the interest of the entire city comes into effect as well. Mr. Bleidt said he felt that the public support justified moving forward. Mr. Charboneau stated that he did not think it was fair to use tax dollars from the entire city to purchase a small lot for a relatively small number of people. He said he did not see the entire city receiving a benefit from the purchase of the property. Mr. Charboneau said he felt the city already had enough small properties to maintain. Mr. Ackerman said a number of the small properties were obtained under the existing green space ordinance, some of which were presently not maintainable due to the fact that some are undeveloped, and currently there is not sufficient maintenance staff and funds. Ms. Judy said the park in question was already existing, already developed, and in her opinion would require minimal maintenance. She also suggested the possibility of the neighborhood assisting in the upkeep of the park through the Adopt -A -Park program. Mr. Bleidt said because this lot was already developed, it would be unlike those parcels accepted through green space because the additional expense to develop would not be needed. • • PRAB members also addressed the issues of parking and security. Ms. Judy said that she thought the parking problems would lighten once St. Joseph's moved; however, Mr. Charboneau commented that grades K-5 would be remaining. Mr. Ackerman said he would like to see this property become part of the parks system subject to being purchased at a reasonable cost. This would be worthwhile to pursue on behalf of the city of Fayetteville in general because of the historic beauty of the community. Mr. Ackerman said he has given a great deal of thought to the people who live next to the property. "My experience has been, growing up in various cities of various sizes, neighborhood parks have traditionally not been a problem," said Ackerman. "Parking is not a problem. If someone wants to drive three blocks down and park the neighbors will have to endure it. It is a city park and just part of the deal. It's a community park, it's a city park, it's a tax payer's park, so they will have to endure whatever transpires." Ms. Judy said this was a one-shot opportunity and presented a scenario: if the city was unable to reach a reasonable price, could the citizens contribute to the purchase? Ms. Thompson said Mrs. January was very willing to negotiate, and it is her [January] desire to keep the lot a park. Ms. Thompson asked that the neighborhood be notified if the city was unable to negotiate what it deemed a reasonable price, so the neighborhood could be given the opportunity to try to raise the extra money needed. She also said that some neighborhood residents March 12, 1998 / Page 4 • • • • felt the high -maintenance of upkeep on the historic houses was their contribution to the city. Mr. Ackerman said that if the group wanted to contribute to the purchase of the property there would be no objections; however, when the city purchases a piece of property it takes full title to it. MOTION: BLEIDT/JUDY Mr. Bleidt moved to move forward in an attempt to purchase the Sutton Street property, subject to a negotiated price being agreed upon between Mrs. January, the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, and staff, where at a final decision would be made whether or not to actually purchase the property. The motion carried 3-1-1 with Mr. Charboneau voting against and Mr. Luttrell abstaining from the motion. Mr. Luttrell informed the PRAB of a meeting he attended March 11. The issues were the two new middle schools, should they come to fruition, and a pending proposal from the schools. A gym would be included in each middle school, but they are requesting $100,000 each for auxiliary gyms. They are also looking at the existing seven elementary school gyms, and request $189,000 for renovations. The school system is asking for consideration in a timely manner because they hope to begin these projects in summer. Meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Minutes taken by John Nelson First run 3.14.98 11:05 a.m. Second run 3.16.98 9:15 a.m. March 12, 1998 / Page 5 SPECIAI, MEETING MINUTES MARCH 41 1998 STAFF PRESENT: PRAB MEMBERS PRESENT: PRESS PRESENT: GUESTS PRESENT: REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: SUBJECTS: DUGWYLER, ROGERS ACKERMAN, BLEIDT, CHARBONEAU, LUTTRELL, THIEL JILL ROHRBACK TONYA JOHNSON (PARKS INTERN) SERENITY plus Annexation Property: TIM REYNOLDS & GREG HAYES DINERSTEIN- HAROLD HEADY MCCLELLAND: JOE TARVIN CHILDRENS HOUSE: KAVJLEEN RANDALL, DIRECTOR OF E O A SERENITY GREENSPACE (IF ANNEXATION PASSES THROUGH CITY COUNCIL AND DINERSTEIN PROPERTIES / CHILDREN HOUSE of land Discussion 30 - 40 acres of possible greenspace park land On the proposed annexation property, Tim Reynolds pointed out where the middle school property and Rupple Road would be located. We stopped at three different sites on the property to discuss where they have proposed our greenspace land to be. At this time, the 30% greenspace required for a P U D does not include the parks greenspace requirement. This is the interpretation of the planning division and the parks division. Dugwyler stated that it would be nice if the developer provided access from the middle school to the proposed park land. • • • • On the Serenity property, Reynolds stated that they will clean up the ponds for the parks department if we would want them. Hayes stated that they will be looking to the parks board and parks staff on what is wanted here when we begin developing this property. Dugwyler stated this would be done when they went through plat review. Dugwyler slated that the proposed 44 acres would be a good park choice, but the ponds would not. Staff recommends that the ponds not he accepted for green space. MOTION: LUTTRELL/CHARBONEAU To retract the previous decision of taking money -in -lieu for Serenity Place in 1997 and to accept land around ponds, including the ponds, and land balance made up west of Rupple Road subject to annexation. The motion carried 5-0-0. Jhscussion: subject to annexation and rezoning, Prestige Properties, will dedicate as greenspace property adjacent the length of Clabber Creek as prescribed by the greenspace ordinance requirement subject to the P.U.D. ordinance at this point in time - this Motion was not adopted. Reynolds and Hayes wish to wait to see if the interpretation of the P.U.D. ordinance change. MOTION: BLEIDT/CHARBONEAU Bleidt moved to adopt a resolution indicating the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board support of the proposed annexation and rezoning that would result in a park land dedication. The Motion carried 5-0-0. DINERSTEIN/CHILDRENS HOUSE The City of Fayetteville has allowed the Children's House to build on city land. Randall stated that we don't really need that much more land - Just enough to build onto. We are meeting with an architect this week - pnvately - not through the city. The question came up on how much acreage the city has given the Children's House the right to use. McClelland's representative, Joe Tarvm, stated approximately 0.8 acres. It was suggested that we give the Children's House the land they needed and the rest the parks department would take in the remaining sum of money. The city would get the deed and the city would give Children's House usage of the land. The Parks & Recreation Division would not maintain the property. Ackerman requested a letter of proposal from Mr. Heady. Mr. Heady proposed that he would deed to the city the amount of property that Children's House sits on plus that amount again. Dugwyler asked him to fax the parks staff a proposal on Monday to include the amount of land and money in lieu proposed. No Motion was needed at tMs time • •