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Home My WebLink About2007-05-29 - MinutesFAYETTEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Meeting Minutes May 29, 2007 Opening: A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met at the Fayetteville Senior Center located at 945 South College, Fayetteville, Arkansas. The meeting was called to order at 7:15 by Connie Edmonston, who gave a welcome to the guests and introduced Dan Coody, Mayor of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Mayor Coody also welcomed everyone, and spoke about the Southpass Development. Present: Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members Colwell, Biendara, Hatfield, Davis, Burke, Davidson, Mauritson, and Bitler were present. Park Staff Edmonston, Coles, Jumper, Patterson, Thomas, Wright and audience were in attendance. The presentation was given by Southpass Development and their consultants. The floor was then opened for questions and comments. 1. Approval of park land dedication requirements in concept for South Pass Development. Staff has worked with the developers to designate areas for park land within the development to meet the park land dedication requirements. The final number of residential units are not known at this time; however approximate boundaries for park land have been identified on the plan. The developers are requesting to bank the park land and dedicate portions as phases are developed. A citizen asked about the timeframe for breaking ground. John Nock said they were just starting the process. It will possibly be in the winter of this year. The work will be done in phases. Phase I will be the laying the groundwork of the infrastructure, such as the main roads, water and sewer, etc. A citizen asked about the total number of house units to be build in the area, and where the kids would go to school. Nock said there is a proposed site for an elementary school. There would be approximately 2500 to 3000 units- probably under 10,000 people. The number of units will depend on the unit size, rentals, owners of homes, etc. A citizen asked if the developers will have any control over what the City does, such as maintaining the parks. Nock responded that the goal is to make a great destination to go to, and a good place for homes. Mechanisms will be established for control during the process of developing the phases. A citizen asked if Southpass would be the principal contractor Nock responded that there would be a variety of contractors, all bringing in different ideas, but using the original concept of the master plan. This is to keep harmony for everything in the plan. A citizen wanted to know how the finances would be handled. Nock replied that they want to make sure everything is moving forward as planned, not stalling. They want everything in tandem. Everything needs to be done legally, including restrictions. Burke asked about what type of trails would be available. Nock replied that there would be trails that made you feel you were out in the middle of nowhere. There will be a variety of trails. Some would be left as nature made them, and others would be man made. Terry Lawson from the Fayetteville Fire Department was concerned about the parking. He said it looked like the only parking available was along streets. He wanted to know if parking lots would be available for events. Rob, one of the Southpass consultants, said there would be lots of parking adjacent to the playing fields. He said that what looks like streets on the plan are actually parking areas. There would be approximately 2200 parking spaces. A citizen from the audience said they liked the idea of trails. Dwayne Wolchen, one of the founders of the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, said he believes in the concept of trails. A citizen asked whether there would be another traffic interchange in the area of the community park. Nock replied that there probably would not be since there are two close interchanges in the area. Edmonston then told the basic history of this community park. In 1999-2000, the steering committee of approximately fifty people finalized the Ten Year Park Master Plan. The number one item they wanted to achieve was to develop a one stop recreation area. The regional park plan was developed and the ten year master plan was adopted. The committee evaluated sites, and the Cato Springs site was chosen. The plan went through several different groupings, and came up with this Master Plan. Edmonston would like the PRAB to approve Southpass and to approve the acreage. She then passed it to Wade Colwell, the chairman of the PRAB. Colwell asked if there were any more comments. Biendara asked if they were accepting 200 acres and banking the rest. Mauritson said that the 200 acres in the initial phase were a gift. The rest of the acres would be phased in. Bitler asked how many acres would there be after the initial phase Nock said 150 to 200 acres. Davis asked if they were approving the 200 acres now, then phasing in the other acreage Nock replied that the other acres would be banked and set aside for the future. Each phase is an unknown number of acres at this time, because the development has to meet all City requirements each time. Edmonston said once the concept was approved, the development will be carried through. Davidson then asked who would fund for the initial development, such as soccer fields. Edmonston said that Parks would. Nock said that they want to get project done so the community would benefit. He said that the City and the developer would help each other out initially, but eventually City would be on its own. Davidson explained that he was not opposing, but he had a concern. This community would be an improvement, but he didn't want people looking at it thinking we didn't need all the other soccer fields in Fayetteville, because we do. Bitter queried what the initial cost would be. Edmonston replied that it would be around 14.8 million for the complex. This cost does not include the infrastructure, because those figures are not known at this time. If the community wants it, we can do it. There may be possible donations of land. This is the biggest project that Parks and Recreation has undertaken ever. The economic impact for Fayetteville will be great. Davis said that it looked like there were eight soccer fields on the screen Edmonston replied that there were twelve full size fields at the new park PRAB Motion: Davis motioned to accept the 240 acres that is in exhibit on page nineteen of the Southpass master plan booklet. On page twenty is the potential parkland that will be banked for the future. Mauritson seconded it. Motion passed 8-0-0. 2. Approval of the regional park master plan: South Pass and their consultants will present the master plan for the regional park. PRAB Motion: Mauritson motioned to accept the regional park master plan. Davidson seconded it. Motion passed 8-0-0. 3. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:45.