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