HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-06 - MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
Meeting Minutes February 6, 2006
Opening:
The regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was called to order by
Chairman Wade Colwell at 5:30 P.M. on February 6, 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, Harrison, Langsner, Davidson,
Davis, Bitler, Burke & Colwell; Park Staff Coles, Mihalevich, Jumper, Wright, Whitlock
and audience were in attendance.
1. Approval of January 9, 2006 PRAB Meeting Minutes: Davis moved to
accept the minutes as presented and Langsner seconded the motion. All
members voted to approve.
2. Daniel Bryan — Eagle Scout Project Proposal for a Fitness Station at
Gulley Park
Daniel began his presentation by stating he would be relying on the expertise of
several professionals in the building of the equipment which will consist of pull-
up bars and a sit-up bench. The entire budget as presented is under $500.00.
The location at Gulley is north of the overflow parking area along the trail.
Davis asked about the materials to be used for the sit-up bench. He asked about
the durability of the product and life expectancy of the equipment.
Coles stated the material for the bench is virtually lifetime.
Davis asked if this process for building equipment for parks locations has been
done in the past.
Wright explained that Boy Scouts have build trails and bridges in the past, and
currently an Eagle Scout project is underway at Lake Sequoyah but no fitness
stations have ever been built.
Davis inquired how the City dealt with the liability issue if the structure is being
built by the Scouts.
Wright explained the Park Staff works closely with the Scout to make sure the
installation meets park standards.
February 6, 2006/ 1
Langsner asked if purchasing commercial grade pieces would be superior to
building the structures on-site thereby allaying the City's liability.
Bitler asked if the City is paying and the Scout is providing labor.
Wright said some projects like the kiosk at Lake Sequoyah is a joint project.
Davis stated the preference to use commercially manufactured equipment for
safety and liability issues.
PRAB Motion: Harrison moved to approve the project in the selected location at
Gulley Park. The motion was amended to use commercially manufactured
equipment meeting Park standards for $500.00 plus additional expenses as
required to meet those standards. Bailey seconded the motion. The Board
approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
3. Park Land Dedication: Matt Mihalevich, Park Planner
*This development was presented to PRAB on December 5, 2005 as
Soloman Apartments. A motion was made to accept +/-2 acres of park
land at Wellspring and accept money in lieu for the remaining requirement.
Since that time, the development was sold and the number of units has
been significantly reduced.
Development Name: Arbors at Springwoods
Engineer: H2 Engineering, Inc.
Owner: EPCON of NWA
Location: North of Moore Land and East of
Deane Soloman Rd.
NW
122 Multi -family Units
25.235
2.074
$47,946
No parks within the 1/2 mile
service area radius
Dedicate approximately 2 acres of
park land to be located at
Wellspring and pay money in lieu
fees for the remaining acreage.
Dedicate approximately 2 acres of
park land to be located at
Wellspring for a trail corridor with
a minimum of 50 foot wide from
the previously dedicated 19 acres
of park land to the north property
Park District:
Units:
Total Acres:
Land Dedication Requirement:
Money in Lieu Requirement:
Existing Parks:
Developer's Request:
Staff Recommendation:
February 6, 2006/ 2
Justification:
line of Wellspring near Hamstring
Creek. Staff recommends a full
land dedication based on the final
number of units for the Arbors at
Springwoods to avoid the need
for a waiver of the Park Land
dedication ordinance for projects
over 100 units. As a condition of
approval, the deed for the 2+/ -
acres must be received by Parks
and Recreation Staff prior to
issuance of the building permit.
The proposed development will
include some park amenities
including a clubhouse with
athletic room and a swimming
pool. A putting green has also
been proposed. The Audubon
wetland property is located
adjacent to the development.
Razorback Golf Course is located
to the west. Fayetteville Public
Schools purchased 70+ acres for
a future school site northwest of
this development.
PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to accept Staff recommendation to accept land
dedication of approximately two acres to be located at Wellspring for a trail
corridor with a minimum of 50 foot wide from the previously dedicated 19 acres
of park land to the north property line of Wellspring near Hamstring Creek.
Davidson seconded the motion. The Board approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
4. Park Land Dedication:
Development Name:
Engineer:
Owner:
Location:
Alison Jumper,
Park District:
Units:
Total Acres:
Land Dedication Requirement:
Park Planner
DePalma Addition
H2 Engineering, Inc.
Barber Group
East of Skyline Dr. on Mt.
Sequoyah
SE
5 Single Family Units
10
.12
Money in Lieu Requirement: $2,775
Existing Parks: Mt. Sequoyah Woods
February 6, 2006/ 3
Developer's Request:
Staff Recommendation:
Justification:
Dedicate .12 acres of park land
adjacent to park land dedicated
for Biella Estates.
Dedicate .12 acres of park land
adjacent to park land dedicated
for Biella Estates. Developer is
working to minimize/and or
eliminate grading onto park
property.
The land dedication is an
expansion of a dedication and
donation associated with Biella
Estates. This land is adjacent to
Mt. Sequoyah Woods.
PRAB Motion: Davis moved to accept Staff recommendation to accept .12
acres of park land adjacent to park land dedicated for Biella Estates. Langsner
seconded the motion. The Board approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
5. Park Land Dedication:
Development Name:
Engineer:
Owner:
Location:
Alison Jumper,
Park District:
Units:
Total Acres:
Land Dedication Requirement:
Money in Lieu Requirement:
Existing Parks:
Developer's Request:
Staff Recommendation:
Justification:
Park Planner
Bellafont
H2 Engineering, Inc.
CB Ventures
North of Joyce Boulevard on
either side of Vantage Drive.
NE
99 Multi -family Units
25.289
1.683
$38,907
Lake Fayetteville, Mud Creek Trail
Money in lieu
Money in lieu
Lake Fayetteville and Mud Creek
Trail are within a 1/2 mile service
area of this development. The
trail ends at Joyce Street south of
this development, and continues
as an on street linkage along
Vantage Dr. which runs north and
south through the property to
Zion Rd. then on to Veteran's
park.
Burke asked if the developer is going to maintain the trail.
February 6, 2006/ 4
Jumper explained that the trail is street access with sidewalks on
each side as well as a bike lane.
Colwell pointed out the Zion street connection to Veterans Memorial
Park off of Vantage Drive is difficult and unsafe.
Mihalevich indicated Staff is aware of the situation and plans are in
the works to correct and improve the access at that location.
PRAB Motion: Colwell moved to accept Staff recommendation of money -in -lieu.
Davis seconded the motion. The Board approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
6. Lafayette Lofts Subdivision Park —
Meetings were held on December 1, January 12 and 26 to receive input from the
public for the development of the .18 acre park which was the former playground
area of St. Joseph's School. The master plan of the park will be presented to
PRAB for approval. The Neighborhood Association is also submitting a name for
the new park for PRAB's consideration. According to the Facility Naming Policy,
the park name will be tabled at the meeting allowing time for public input. It will
be presented at the March meeting.
Mihalevich gave an overview of the public meeting process. The final plan which
includes trees and shrubs along the perimeters and an amphitheater was
presented.
Langsner inquired if the trees in the plan are native species.
Mihalevich indicated the selected thornless honeylocust trees are native.
Bailey asked about the absence of the proposed play area.
Kathy Thompson, representing the neighbor home owners said the thought was
playground equipment would not be necessary to assure that children enjoy the
area. She said it will be a place to make-up play experiences.
Bailey stated it appears to be a 'quiet park' as is found in many large cities.
Davis asked what sort of plantings is planned.
Mihalevich said the amphitheater will have brick and turf. The builders of the
condos have indicated they will donate the brick and seven trees have been
donated so far.
Davidson asked about the budget for the project.
February 6, 2006/ 5
Mihalevich said $15,000 had been approve in the Capital Improvement Budget.
However, the projected cost is about $50,000. Donations will help and there
may be a need to use Parkland Dedication funds.
Ms. Thompson said the neighborhood will work hard to get donations to allay the
costs of the park and are hoping Parks will help as much as possible.
Mike Johnson, neighborhood resident, stated he's curious as to the $50,000. He
also said the term 'quiet park' is a good description and fits the neighborhood.
Davidson asked if the potential request for Parks Funds will be brought back to
the Board.
Mihalevich said it would as soon as the cost amount was actually determined
when the plan is finally approved.
Davidson said he is against setting a precedence to keep asking for more money
on projects after their approval.
Thompson said the neighbors would probably be okay with doing the park in
phases. Perhaps the amphitheater could be added later since it is the expensive
add-on to the plan.
Wright requested that no one get discouraged about the potential costs. He said
there are many avenues to raise funding for parks such as grants.
Johnson asked if city labor would be used for construction and installation of the
park. He expressed his positive impression of the ability of the City's staff to
build and construct sidewalks and trails and suggested that they could possibly
do it less expensively than bidding it out.
Bailey concluded by suggesting this park is the perfect spot for installation of a
piece of public art.
Katie Mihalevich, neighborhood resident, presented park names that have been
presented and discussed. The most requested to date are Washington -Willow
Park, Willow Park and St. Joseph Park. The neighborhood representative will be
back before the Park Board in March with the final decision for approval.
PRAB Motion on the Park Master Plan: Davis moved to accept the plan as
presented by the Parks Staff. (conceptual park design is attached) Davidson
seconded the motion. The Board approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
February 6, 2006/ 6
PRAB Motion to accept the name Washington Willow Park and tabled the
final decision for 30 days to allow for public input according to the
Facility Naming Policy.
7. Kingfisher Trail Naming at Lake Sequoyah: Wade Colwell
At the January 9 PRAB Meeting, Wade Colwell presented Kingfisher Trail as the
name of the east northern trail at Lake Sequoyah as suggested by the Boy Scout
Troops that are blazing the trail.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends naming the trail Kingfisher Trail as
presented by the Boy Scouts.
PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to accept the proposed name, Kingfisher Trail,
per the Staff recommendation. Harrison seconded the motion. The Board
approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
8. 2005 Annual Report Approval: Connie Edmonston, Parks & Recreation
Director
According to Article II, Chapter 33.018 (B) in the Fayetteville Code of
Ordinances, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is to prepare an annual report
to City Council. The Annual Report is attached.
In Edmonston's absence the report was presented by David Wright, Recreation
Superintendent.
Langsner said he liked the detail and the business of the Board being explained
in the report.
Wright said once it is approved by the Board it will go to City Council.
PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to accept the Parks and Recreation Annual
Report as presented. Harrison seconded the motion. The Board approved with a
vote of 8-0-0.
9. Park Land Dedication Fee and Ordinance Discussion:
Staff recommends using a price per acre of $36,250 to base the fees in lieu
required for single family and multi -family units. This number is the median
figure taken from 27 parcels sold in 2005 within the city limits being over 5 acres
and being designated as either agricultural or residential by the county.
Langsner asked what the rationale behind the $36,250 figure is and had there
been any more developer response to the increase.
Wright said there has been no further response from developers and said he
feels in this case that's a good sign. He explained that getting a figure that was
justified was the reason for presenting the $36,250 for the Board's approval.
February 6, 2006/ 7
The $36,250 was the median sale price per acre for all land sales in the City in
2005.
Davis asked if this is the figure first agreed on by the Board.
Wright said it is not. The first figure was to be no less than $40,000.
Bitner asked what process was used to arrive at the $23,125 figure used in 2005
prior to the research for a new amount.
Jumper said it came from calling realtors to find out what the average sale price
of land had been.
Wright said this is the first time figures from the courthouse have been used to
get a median price amount.
Langsner said it is nice to be able to say we did our homework as opposed to
saying a certain figure sounded good.
Davis said he is concerned that we're falling behind by accepting a lesser
number.
Jumper said the Board had recommended an annual adjustment to better keep
up with the increasing land costs.
Bitler stated he understood the resistance to an increase to $60,000 but is
concerned land will not be available at the amount currently being
recommended.
Davis said he believes the $40,000 approved by the previous Board should be
the figure to send to Council.
Langsner said he believes if Parks doesn't buy some land soon there won't be
any land available. He explained that a lot of work had gone into the process of
selecting a new amount and it was difficult to get a good average due to
variances of land values in different parts of the city.
Colwell said he has been told $75,000 is the per acre average in Fayetteville. He
said he feels taking steps to reach a more accurate figure for property value will
be the best way to go. He reiterated that future land for parks will be financially
out of reach if the land dedication amount doesn't reflect true land costs. He
said land can't be purchased for $40,000 but it's a step in the right direction. He
feels the need to look to develop larger parks like Gulley is better than a
proliferation of small parks.
February 6, 2006/ 8
Davidson said he believes the $40,000 figure will change the dynamics that drive
the developers' decision on land vs. money.
Jumper requested the Board members make an effort to attend the Council
meeting when this change request is on their agenda. She reviewed the four
proposed changes.
Wright stated it is in the plans to begin the discussion earlier in the process the
next time around.
Bitler suggested November would be a good time to begin the process.
Davis stated he would rather stick with the originally recommended figure of
$40,000 and not go down since the price of land is only going up.
PRAB Motion: Langsner moved to keep the $40,000 fee per acre for park land
dedication. Davis seconded the motion. The Board approved with a vote of 8-0-0.
10. Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks Board of Directors PRAB
Representative:
This item was tabled from the January 9, 2006 meeting. The City's lease
agreement with the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks requires a member of
PRAB to be on the Board of Directors as well as a Park employee. Susan
Regan, Park Horticulturist, represents the Parks and Recreation Division.
The Board meets at 6 pm on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The next
meeting will be at 6 p.m. on February 21 at St. Paul Episcopal Church.
Staff requests for a volunteer from PRAB to represent PRAB. The current
members of the Board of Directors are included in the attachments.
Colwell suggested Board members might rotate attendance on a monthly
basis taking the load off just one person.
Cole said the nature of the position needs more consistency to be able to
be more informed of the issues facing the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks
Board of Directors.
Bailey suggested a term of six months.
Burke volunteered for the first six months. After which another Parks
Board member will need to volunteer for the remaining six months of the
yearly commitment.
PRAB Motion: Milton Burke's appointment for the first six months was unanimously
accepted by the Parks Board members.
11. Community Park Update: Wright reported that the land -owners have
been attempting to hire a consultant to begin the extensive plan for the
land and development. Nothing new has developed since the January
meeting report.
February 6, 2006/ 9
12. Other Business:
Legacy Pointe Subdivision Neighborhood Park: Wright said a public meeting
is planned for February 9, 2006 at 5:30 P.M. at the Fayetteville Boys and
Girls Club to provide an opportunity for neighborhood citizens to help plan
the amenities of and name for the neighborhood park to be located in
Legacy Pointe Subdivision. Door hangers have been distributed notifying
everyone in the vicinity of the time and location of the meeting.
Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks Grant: Wright said Parks has received
notification of the approval of the requested grant in the amount of
$115,000 for continued development of the Botanical Gardens located at
Lake Fayetteville on Highway 265.
Lake Fayetteville Restroom Facility: A new restroom for the marina area at
Lake Fayetteville is a modular construction unit which is being delivered
the week of February 6, 2006. The need for quickly fulfilling the request
by Council to provide that facility, which will be handicap accessible, was
the reason for choosing this type of structure rather than building on-site.
Lake Fayetteville Trail System: Colwell addressed the construction of a
hard -surface trail at Lake Fayetteville and suggested that planning to pave
the trail through the Environmental Center should be reconsidered. He
explained his feeling is that of defeating the spirit of the Center. He said
there are paved trails in other locations that fill the needs for the citizens
wanting or requiring paved trails and believes the people who use and
enjoy natural trails deserve an area such as Lake Fayetteville Trail. He
suggested rather than paving with asphalt the use of crushed limestone
would be more environmentally friendly and keep the soft surface aspect.
Bailey voiced agreement. He also said due to the high usage by mountain
bikers the trail should be left natural. He said the soft surface trail has
already been cut at two locations by the new paved trail which poses a
danger to bikers and creates a conflict between two types of trail users.
He said no where else in Fayetteville can mountain bikers find five miles of
natural trails such as the one at Lake Fayetteville.
Burke agreed with them saying he'd been going there for years, even
before the trails existed, and believes if the entire perimeter is paved the
very reason so many people use the area will be destroyed. He said if
'this' trail is paved when will the City not pave.
February 6, 2006/ 10
Langsner asked when the continued paving is to take place.
Colwell said it's underway now. Sara Patterson, Urban Forester, has been
asked to mark trees along the proposed paved area.
Coles stated the response from many citizens has been favorable to a
paved trail surface.
Colwell said the commitment to the Environmental Center was to keep it
natural. He believes paving across the Center grounds is compromising
the natural areas and sets a bad example to the young people attending
the Center. He also reminded the reasons for moving the frisbee golf
course from Gulley to North Shore was to move it to a safer location for
those not playing the sport and the new paved trail causes intermingling
and conflict between those groups once more.
Wright said there are 700 acres around Lake Fayetteville and believes the
use needs of the different groups can co -exist.
Davis suggested it be placed on the next meeting agenda and reminded
the Board they can only recommend the plan be reconsidered.
PRAB Motion: Colwell moved that Parks Board request there be no
additional paving or tree removal at Lake Fayetteville North Shore Trail
sight until April 1st and the Board has had the opportunity to reconsider the
design and placement of the trail. Langsner seconded the motion and all
eight Board members voted `yes'.
Davis further suggested the Boards requested action be distributed to
Council, Mayor, all involved City departments, and the Sidewalks and Trails
Committee. He also suggested the request be placed on the March 6 Parks
Board agenda.
13. Adjournment by Chairman Colwell at 7:20 P.M.
Minutes submitted by Cheryl Whillock
February 6, 2006/ 11
