HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-06 - MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes March 6, 2006 Opening: At 5:00 P.M. the Board members along with Parks Staff toured three properties subject to consideration during the Board meeting. On arrival at City Hall the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by Chairman Wade Colwell at 6:30 P.M. on March 6, 2006 in Room 219 of the City Administration Building located at 113 West Mountain Street, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Bailey, Langsner, Davidson, Davis, Bitler, Burke & Colwell; Park Staff Coles, Jumper, Wright, Whillock, Edmonston, Trails Coordinator, Mihalevich, and audience were in attendance. 1. Approval of March 6, 2006 PRAB Meeting Minutes: Davis moved to accept the minutes as presented and Bailey seconded the motion. All members voted to approve. 2. Trail Coordinator Announcement: Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director, announced that Matt Mihalevich has been selected to be the Trail Coordinator for the City. 3. Lafayette Lofts Park Name and Plaque Recommendation: Marie Riley, Washington Willow Neighborhood Association representative, reported the name chosen for the park is St. Joseph Park. This decision is the result of an extensive e-mail driven survey of association members. She presented Parks and Recreation with a $1,500 donation from neighborhood residents toward the trees to be planted in the new park. PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to remove the previous park name from its current tabled position, Davidson seconded the motion. The new name, St. Joseph Park, was accepted unanimously by the Board and was immediately tabled for the final park name approval at the April Board meeting according to the Facility Naming Policy. 4. Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks 2005 Annual Report: Cathy Bass, Board President reported that work on the Botanical Gardens Center at Lake Fayetteville is back under way after delays caused by the need to obtain an archeological survey of the area. The survey revealed that no significant archeological history is present in the selected area. The budget for the facility has been redone and the Outdoor Recreation Grant was approved for $115,128.00. She thanked Parks and Recreation Staff for helping with that request process. She said the grand opening for the new facility is scheduled for October 7, 2006. March 6, 2006/ 1 Bailey inquired what sorts of events will be held in that location. Bass stated that partnerships with several local museums and various educational programs will be just a few of the events to look forward to. Colwell asked Bass to tell about the building structure itself. Bass explained that the wood used in the building is recycled, previously used product. Wade inquired as to the status of the parking lot. Bass said the parking area will also be used as a trailhead for the Lake Fayetteville trail, giving people another spot to conveniently access the trail around the lake. 5. Greenway and Conservation Easement Discussion: Frank Sharp, who lives on Kessler Mountain southwest of Fayetteville, explained his proposal for land near the proposed Southpass Development off Cato Springs Road in Southwest Fayetteville. He said two ways of protecting land from future development is the Nature Conservancy and The Ozark Regional Land Trust groups. He inquired if the Board thinks the City should accept conservation easement land and would then maintain it. He said he didn't want an answer but he just wants the Board to give it some consideration. Colwell said this is a wonderful opportunity and he appreciated Mr. Sharp's forward thinking. He expressed that he is strongly in favor of creating the green spaces to connect various areas of the city as well connect the parks. Burke asked for an explanation of a conservation easement. Sharp stated that in a conservation easement, examples of activities allowed are the cutting of only diseased wood and open area may be used for pasture land. Or, the land owner can determine other uses and the land would be limited to those uses. Land is appraised at a lower value and the land owner is compensated for devalue of land with a tax credit. Edmonston stated she hopes more offers of conservation easements to preserve our mountain tops and wooded areas will be forthcoming. Bailey asked if we have any other conservation easements and Edmonston said only Bayarri Park has a small area. 6. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Development Name: Stone Mountain Phase II Engineer: Jorgensen and Associates Owner: Stone Mountain Development Location: East of Hwy. 265, North of Hwy. 16 E Park District: SE March 6, 2006/ 2 Units: 112 Single Family Total Acres: 82.74 acres Land Dedication Requirement: 2.7 acres Money in Lieu Requirement: $62,160 Existing Parks: Future park land in Stone Mountain Phase I to the north Developer's Request: Dedicate 1.25 acres for access to park land from this phase of the development, use 1.45 acres of banked land for remainder of requirement. Staff Recommendation: Dedicate 1.25 acres for access to park land from this phase of the development; use 1.45 acres of banked land for remainder of requirement, leaving a credit of 4.1 acres. Justification: 8.19 acres of park land will be dedicated at final plat with Stone Mountain Phase I to the north. The developer banked approximately 5.51 acres. The addition of 1.25 acres will give residents from this phase trail access to the park. PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to accept Staff recommendation as stated above. Davis seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 7. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Development Name: Nantucket Apartments Phase III Engineer: Project Design Consultants Owner: Leisure Homes Location: North of 15th Street and West of Morningside Drive Park District: SE Units: 44 Multi -Family Total Acres: 4.022 acres Land Dedication Requirement: .75 acres Money in Lieu Requirement: $17,292 Existing Parks: Walker Park Developer's Request: Money in Lieu Staff Recommendation: Money in Lieu Justification: Walker Park and trail is within a half mile service area of this development and will serve the needs of its residents. March 6, 2006/ 3 PRAB Motion: Davis moved to accept Staff recommendation of money in lieu, Bailey seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve. 8. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Development Name: Divinity Engineer: H2 Engineering, Inc. Owner: Barber Group Location: Corner of Dickson and Block & Church Park District: SW Units: 83 Multi Family Total Acres: 1.4 acres Land Dedication Requirement: 1.4 acres Money in Lieu Requirement: $32,619 Existing Parks: Wilson Park, Square Gardens, park land at Lafayette Lofts, and Frisco Park Developer's Request: Money in Lieu Staff Recommendation: Money in Lieu Justification: Several parks such as Wilson Park, Square Gardens, park land at Lafayette Lofts, and Frisco Park are located within a half mile service area of this development and will serve the needs of the residents. PRAB Motion: Bailey moved to accept Staff recommendation of money in lieu, Langsner seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 9. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Development Name: Addison Acres Engineer: HGM Consulting, Inc. Owner: Aaron Crawley and Scott Ellis Location: North of Huntsville Road (Hwy 16 east) between River Meadows Drive and Roberts Road Park District: SE Units: 16 Single Family (one existing) Total Acres: 6.03 acres Land Dedication Requirement: .384 acres Money in Lieu Requirement: $8,880 Existing Parks: Bayyari Park Developer's Request: .41 acres of Land adjoining Bayyari Park. Developer would construct an accessible sidewalk from the proposed sidewalk at the cult -de - sac to the existing sidewalk leading to the Bayyari Park playground. March 6, 2006/ 4 Staff Recommendation: Justification: Developer requests to bank the remaining .026 acres for future development in the southeast quadrant. Staff agrees with developers request to contribute .41 acres to increase the size of Bayyari Park from 7 acres to 7.41 acres. Staff also agrees for the developer to construct a sidewalk to connect the proposed development with the existing sidewalk that leads to Bayyari Park playground. In exchange for the sidewalk construction, a drainage easement will be allowed within the dedicated park land. The location of the drainage easement and outflow structure shall be approved by parks staff. By accepting the additional land at Bayyari, the new residents will be connected with a sidewalk to the existing park facilities. The .41 acres of additional land is heavily wooded and will provide a nice addition to Bayyari Park. Colwell asked if the development would have a detention pond and Jumper replied that there would not be a retention pond. PRAB Motion: Davis moved to accept Staff recommendation to accept developer's request as stated above, Bailey seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 10. Park Land Dedication: Development Name: Engineer: Owner: Location: Park District: Units: Total Acres: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Deane & Lewis PZD Project Design Consultants Brian Shewmaker W. Deane Street just east of Lewis Avenue NW 16 (8 Condo, 8 Duplex) 1.91 acres Land Dedication Requirement: .328 acres Money in Lieu Requirement: $7,584 Existing Parks: Lewis St. Soccer Complex Developer's Request: Money in Lieu March 6, 2006/ 5 Staff Recommendation: Justification: Money in Lieu The land requirement for this development does not provide for an adequate neighborhood park and expansion is not feasible. Lewis Soccer Complex will provide recreational opportunities for these residents. Davis asked if the City owns the soccer complex at Lewis. Edmonston said it is leased from the University till 2018. However, there has been some conversation that they may want it back sooner. However, she reminded that we have long term lease arrangement for Asbell School Park so we'll continue to have a soccer presence in that location. PRAB Motion: Davis moved to accept Staff recommendation of money in lieu. Langsner seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 11. Park Land Dedication: Alison Jumper, Park Planner Development Name: Bungalows at Cato Springs Engineer: McClelland Consulting Engineers, Inc. Owner: Real Practices, Inc Location: Cato Springs Rd East of Garland Avenue Park District: SW Units: 29 (one existing) Total Acres: 5.52 acres Land Dedication Requirement: .7 acres Money in Lieu Requirement: $16,095 Existing Parks: Greathouse Park Developer's Request: .92 Acre Land donation for a trail corridor and bank the remaining .22 acres for future developments in the southwest quadrant. Staff Recommendation: .92 Acre Land donation for a trail corridor and bank the remaining .22 acres for future developments in the southwest quadrant. The land dedication is contingent on vacation of an existing channel improvement easement. This easement was submitted to planning for vacation on February March 6, 2006/ 6 2e, 2006. Justification: A multi -use trail is identified in the FATT plan along Cato Springs Branch creek to connect to Greathouse Park. This land dedication will provide a corridor for the future trail. Colwell inquired about the land between Greathouse Park and the subject development. He asked what existed there now. He also asked if the old railroad bed could be used as trail. Mihalevich said he would find the answers for both those questions. PRAB Motion: Davidson moved to accept Staff recommendation as stated above. Langsner seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 12. Park Land Dedication Fund Request: Parks and Recreation Staff requests approval of the following expenditures from the Park Land Dedication Funds: 1) Northeast Park District: $1,000 to purchase fitness amenities for the Boys Scout project at Gulley Park as suggested by PRAB at the February meeting. PRAB Motion: Davis moved to accept expenditure from Parks Fund of $1000 to purchase fitness amenities for the Boy Scout project at Gulley Park. Langsner seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 2) Southwest Park District: $1,700 to conduct a topographical survey of the park land at Legacy Pointe. PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to approve the expenditure from Parks funds of $1,700 to conduct the survey. Davis seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. 13. Trails Discussion: Matt Mihalevich, Trails Coordinator Connie announced the new trail map is being developed and will soon be ready for distribution. Matt began with an update on current trail construction and future trail plans. He said that Combs Trail is newly completed from Morningside to Armstrong in the industrial area adding .79 miles to the trail system. He also said the .21 mile Crowne trail is currently under construction from Beachwood to Razorback road and will include a 50' long bridge over Town Branch Creek. He then discussed the plan for Skull Creek Trail which is currently the highest priority on the trail development list. The north March 6, 2006/ 7 section from Van Ashe extension to Gordon Long Park will likely be constructed first. Most of the easements in this approximately 1 mile section have been obtained and construction could begin within a month or two. Clabber Creek Trail is scheduled for the summer months when the ground is dry due to the fact that much of the .78 mile trail is near wetland areas. A short connection along Zion Road between Vantage and the Veterans park entrance is also in the works. The Frisco trail extension along the Nadine Baum Studios and the building just to the west will proceed once the electric poles are relocated. At that time construction will begin on the trail segment from Meadow Street to the Walton Arts Center parking lot. He also announced that trail distance markers are being developed and will soon be placed on all existing trails. Davis asked about the plans for the continuation of Skull Creek Trail. Mihalevich said the trail will meander south in the general area of Gregg Street. He said it will connect many multi -family Sweetser apartment complexes. There will be a crossing over North Street and then connect with Wilson Park and continue along the railroad tracks to Dickson Street. Matt then began discussion of the Lake Fayetteville trail and a number of citizens were in attendance. Matt reported the paved trail would, as much as is possible, be separated from the natural surface trail popular with runners and bikers. He said they are putting educational kiosks along the trial detailing points of interest. He also said that one of the most important aspects of the paved trail is providing an accessible way for people of all ages and abilities to experience the natural beauty of Lake Fayetteville. The trail will be considered a transportation trail as well as a recreational trail when the connection across Highway 265 is established to the Copper Creek housing area. Colwell suggested several locations around the lake where trail heads should be considered. He also reiterated the trails on the south side of the lake cross extreme terrain in several areas making the creation of ADA accessibility very difficult. He suggested the paved trail continuing around the lake be adjusted to a southerly route that would put it on more level, open area that may become available for the City to acquire as development along Zion continues. He also suggested, again, his hope that more soft surface materials will be used. Mihalevich explained that soft surface trails are prone to washing out in times of excess rain and create a maintenance issue. March 6, 2006/ 8 Bailey referenced a comparison of various type trails to the City's development of ball fields for each type of sport. He said for a mountain biker to achieve the ultimate experience he needs one type of trail where a casual biker/walker would use a different type of trail. He suggested getting the various user groups together to find out their diverse wants and needs so everyone feels heard and has a chance to express their opinion. Matt said the plan is to get more open communication going which, he admitted, has been lacking in the past. Bitler asked about the time -frame for the continuance of building the Lake Fayetteville trail. He wonders if there is time to get discussions underway. Mihalevich said fall is the soonest the work will continue on that trail. There are several other areas in the trail plan that are being worked on right now. Davis stated he had recently walked the south side trail of Lake Fayetteville and the beauty of the area should not be kept from any citizen. There needs to be a way to make it accessible to everyone walking around the lake. He reminded the Board that the bridge was built to provide complete access to the entire lake by all who wished to access it. Scott Starr, Ozark Botanical Gardens Director, stated where he or the group he represents does not immediately oppose the trail, they would like more opportunity to create an opinion. Kevin Bennoch of the Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center said the Center would benefit from the trail. He believes it will be an educational path for citizens. His concern is for the south side of the lake. He suggested keeping biking trails natural. He thanked the Parks Department for their forthrightness and explanation. He thanked the Department for working together with all the citizens to achieve the right design for all citizens. Jennifer Michaels suggested there simply needs to be more discussion. She has done some research by talking to users of the trail and the results were 50% for paved trail and 50% for keeping it natural. Colwell proposed having a public meeting to gain more public input to gain more good ideas such as received at this meeting. Davis stated he believes the idea is to leave what is already there in the trail existing and develop something brand new for the all purpose trail. March 6, 2006/ 9 Bailey stated having open communication and knowing the City is actually listening to what's being said is very helpful. Davis moved to allow the City to pave the trail to the Botanical Gardens with as much separation of two types of trails as possible and take another look at what would be the best way, using public input, to do the South side trail. Langsner seconded the motion and the Board approved unanimously. Community Park Update: No report. 14. 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 4, 2006. Monroe Harrison has submitted his resignation from PRAB. Interested citizens must submit their application to the City Clerks Office. 15. Adjournment by Chairman Colwell at 8:30 P.M. Minutes submitted by Cheryl Whillock March 6, 2006/ 10