HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-03 - MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Minutes April 3, 2006
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by
Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:35 P.M. on April 3, 2006 in Room 326 of the City
Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Present:
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Bailey, Davis, Bitler, Burke & Colwell;
Davidson and Langsner were absent; Harrison has resigned his position on the Board;
Park Staff Coles, Jumper, Wright, Edmonston, Whitlock and audience were in
attendance.
1. Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Awards: Presented by Mayor
Coody
Volunteer Group of the Year: Pagnozzi Charities
The award was accepted by Missy Shanklin and Sarah Eldridge of Pagnozzi
Charities and Terry Lawson with the Fayetteville Youth Baseball , Inc.
Program of the Year: Red, White and Boom Fireworks
The award was accepted by Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director
who thanked David Wright and Jeff Coles for the tremendous amount of work
they put toward the event.
2. Approval of March 6, 2006 PRAB Meeting Minutes
PRAB Motion: The motion was made by Bitler and seconded by Burke to accept
the minutes as presented. All attending voted 'yes'.
3. Naming of LaFayette Lofts Development Park: Item was tabled from
March 6, 2006 meeting to allow for public input according to the Facility
Naming Policy
Based upon the recommendation from the Washington Willow Neighborhood
Association, Parks and Recreation Staff recommends to name the park located
within the LaFayette Lofts Development - St. Joseph Park. See attached
justification for naming the park St. Joseph Park.
PRAB Motion: Burked made the motion to approve and accept the name, St.
Joseph Park, and Bailey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Conservation Easement Discussion: Frank Sharp
Frank Sharp has requested a formal position from PRAB on the questions posed
at the March 6, 2006 meeting which are included in the attachment packet. The
questions submitted in the packet are as follows:
April 3, 2006/ 1
• Do you substantially agree with the items listed under #5 of the Draft
Goals of the City Plan 2025 for an "enduring green network"?
#5 - ...we will assemble an enduring green network
*vigilantly nurture a continuum of green including
*tree -lined streets
*canopy restoration and protection
*small neighborhood parks, square, commons and greenbelts
*major parks and recreation facilities
*greenways and trails
*large-scale preserves for stabilizing hillsides, protecting natural
habitats and water quality, and scenic vistas
*accelerate public acquisition of open space and parks
*promote widespread deployment of conservation easements,
transfer of development rights, and cluster development
*maximize City influence over development and preservation in
outlying unincorporated areas
• Do you agree that the Southpass Park complex needs to be linked via a
multipurpose trail, to the new school and the Boys and Girls Club?
• To "promote the widespread deployment of conservation easements"
should the City accept and monitor these easements, or depend upon other
organizations such as the Northwest Arkansas Regional Land Trust?
• May I have your permission to work with Connie and her staff on planning
an "enduring green network" on Kessler Mountain? If so, I will be happy to
coordinate between the City, the Southpass developers and my neighbors
on Kessler Mountain.
• Would you be interested in me leading your group on a hike and picnic
along the existing trails on Kessler Mountain?
PRAB Discussion:
Frank Sharp is planning to put twenty acres in a conservation easement near
West 6th Street and his neighbor, Jamie Steel, is interested in placing 65 acres in
an easement as well. Sharp explained the land trust process and the entities
that hold land trusts. Those being Ozark Regional Land Trust and Northwest
Arkansas Land Trust or would the City of Fayetteville be interested in taking the
easement. The question would remain as to who would be responsible for
monitoring the land use going forward.
Bailey suggested checking into the potential of the monitoring group allowing a
variance at some point in the future. He stated that the City has, in the past,
allowed variances for established use.
Colwell suggested Sharp check into the various organizations that handle land
trusts and determine who would best serve the intended use of the proposed
land.
Sharp stated the City would be able to monitor the land less expensively than
one of the nature related organizations which charge 10% stewardship fees
based on appraised value of the land. He said the easement should express the
desire to create, maintain and protect the various aspects of the land. He said a
third party would enforce the wishes and intent of the land owner.
April 3, 2006/ 2
Sharp asked if there is any interest from the City in connecting the Smoke House
Trail which runs through the twenty acres he wants to place in the easement,
with the proposed Rupple Road Trail that would give access to the Boys and Girls
Club.
Colwell said he believes this is a great idea and shows creative forward thinking.
Bitler asked what type of trail Sharp has in mind, natural or paved.
Sharp said it would probably be best kept natural as it currently is.
Bailey stated that since other `nature' groups charge fees for holding and
monitoring the land he'd like to see the City take over the project.
Edmonston stated the presentation was to begin a discussion on the subject.
The city Attorney needs to draw up an agreement and Dover Cole will need to
bless this sort of approach in the City Plan at the May 17th meeting. She said she
would be willing to set a time for the Parks Board members to participate in a
hike of the land led by Frank Sharp.
5. Review of Park Land Dedication Requirement of Bungalows at Cato
Springs: Alison Jumper, Park Planner
The park land dedication recommendation made by Parks and Recreation Staff
on March 6, 2006, was contingent upon vacation of an existing channel
improvement easement on Cato Springs Branch. It was found that this
easement cannot be vacated; therefore, requiring a new recommendation of
money in lieu. The trail will be constructed within this easement.
Staff Recommendation: Rescind the March 6, 2006 Motion to recommend
Money in Lieu for the Park Land Requirement.
PRAB Motion: Bailey made the motion to accept staff recommendation to
rescind the March 6, 2006 Motion and to recommend Money in Lieu for the Park
Land Requirement.
6. Park Land Dedication:
Development Name:
Engineer:
Owner:
Location:
Park District:
Units:
Total Acres:
Land Dedication Requirement:
Money in Lieu Requirement:
Existing Parks:
Alison Jumper,
Developer's Request:
April 3, 2006/ 3
Park Planner
Razorback Game Day Condos
Crafton Tull & Associates
University Housing Group
Razorback Road and 15th Street
SW
125 Multi -family units
4.42
2.125
$49,125
Park land and trail at The
Crowne, Greathouse Park
Money in lieu and credit for
constructing 805 feet of 10'
Staff Recommendation:
Justification:
sidewalk for a trail connection to
Towne Branch trail. The credit will
be for the addition of 4' width to
a 6' sidewalk at the rate of
$40/square yard of concrete for a
total of $14,320.
Credit for constructing 805 feet of
10' sidewalk for a trail connection
to Towne Branch trail. The credit
will be for the addition of 4' width
to a 6' sidewalk at the rate of
$40/square yard of concrete for a
total of $14,320. Remaining fees
due will be $34,805.
The existing park and trail in the
half mile service area will provide
recreational opportunities for the
residents of this area.
Additionally, Razorback Road is
shown on the FATT plan as an on -
street linkage that will provide a
pedestrian connection. The
additional width of the sidewalk
will provide a needed connection
from this development to the
University.
Davis suggested checking the plans for the intersection at 15th Street
and Razorback to see if the 10' sidewalks planned will be compatible
with the sidewalk area existing in the plans.
Steven Beam representing the developer said the wider sidewalk will
be part of the overall trail system.
Davis stated he would recommend assuring the future plans for the
6th Street and Razorback intersection will be compatible with the
planned wider sidewalk/trail. He suggested checking ahead of time
with the Fayetteville City Engineering Department on the plans.
Edmonston said that condition can be part of the motion.
Burke inquired how the sidewalk will serve the trail plan and
wondered why Park money is going for sidewalks.
April 3, 2006/ 4
Davis said this sidewalk will serve the new condos and provide access
for the residence and will, in the future, be part of the complete trail
system. Making it 10' wide now will prevent having to come back
later and redo it.
Edmonston explained the new sidewalk/trail will continue south to
the new community park at the proposed Southpass development.
Crown Trail will eventually go east to Greathouse Park.
PRAB Motion: Davis made a motion to accept staff recommendation and include
a provision that the plans for the Razorback Rd. 15th Street
intersection is checked for compatibility. Burke seconded the
motion. The Board approved with a unanimous vote of five.
7. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planner
Development Name: Stonebridge Villas
Engineer: Critical Path Constructions
Owner: Stonebridge Villas LLC
Location: South of Hwy. 16 East, east of
Goff Farm Road
Park District: SE
Units: 215 Single family units, 50 multi-
family Units
Land Dedication Requirement: 6 Acres
Money in Lieu Requirement: $138,975
Existing Parks: Future park land located within
the Falling Waters at Stonebridge
Mountain development
Developer's Request: Money in lieu
Staff Recommendation: Money in lieu
Justification: Approximately 8 acres of park
land are being dedicated with the
Falling Water at Stonebridge and
will be within a half mile service
are of this development.
Additionally, the developer is
providing approximately one acre
of community green space for the
residents and a connection to the
park land at Falling Water by
sidewalk and trail connections.
Bitler asked if the proposed park land located in Falling Water at
Stonebridge is confirmed as a park.
April 3, 2006/ 5
Jumper said it has not been deeded at this time since the developer
hasn't gone that far in the process. Parks doesn't receive the deed
until the development has been through the final plat process.
Bitler said he is concerned about approving this request when the
only park to serve the development isn't a sure thing at this time.
An unnamed audience member said the plans for Falling Water are
moving forward and they have already sold several lots.
Bitler inquired if the park planned at Falling Water could be increased
in size with the money received from Stonebridge Villas.
Edmonston said the money could go to the development but not to
expansion as there is no other land required of the developer and
there's no room for expansion onto the park land.
Bitler asked if the term 'community recreation' meant it is open to
the public or is the park private.
Jumper said it will be maintained by the POA, therefore considered
privately owned and operated.
PRAB Motion: Bailey moved to accept Staff recommendation of money in lieu.
Burke seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of
four in favor and Bitler voting 'no'.
8. Community Park Update: No progress report at this time.
9. Other Business:
Park Land Dedication was approved 6-0 by the Planning Commission on February
27, 2006. This will be presented to City Council at the 6:00 p.m. April 18,
2006. Please save this date to support the Park Land Dedication.
10. Adjournment by Chairman Colwell at 7:20 P.M.
Following PRAB Meeting, members and staff were guided on a tour of
Wilson Park Greenhouse by Park Horticulturist, Lisa Netherland.
Minutes submitted by Cheryl Whillock
April 3, 2006/ 6
