HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-12 - Minutes•
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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