HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-13-2006-9bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: .June13, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No. -
SUBJECT: New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm —Preliminary Concept Plan
DEPARTMENT: ERCD, R &P PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245 -2590
Adopted Master Plan Process (3/21/06) Lori Taft, 245 -2660
Proposed Preliminary Concept Plan
PURPOSE: To review and approve a Preliminary Concept Plan for the upcoming New Hope
Park at Blackwood Farm master planning process.
BACKGROUND: On March 21, the Board approved a process for beginning master planning
of a 152 -acre property acquired in late -2001 for a future park site. This property, given the
working title of New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm, is adjacent to New Hope Church Road and
NC 86.
Consistent with plans identified when the land was acquired, this park is envisioned to be a
predominantly low- impact recreation park, incorporating agricultural, environmental, historic,
cultural and scenic characteristics and features present on the site into the park design. The
adopted process is consistent with this vision.
A Master Plan Committee was appointed on May 16 to create the design for this park. In
addition to the guiding principles that are included in the March 21 adopted process, each
master plan committee is given a "Preliminary Concept Plan" to use as a general "blueprint" or
framework for the anticipated vision of the type of park amenities to be planned. The
Preliminary Concept Plan is general in nature, specifying areas for certain types of uses, but not
the specific layout or facilities that would result from the Committee's work. This Preliminary
Concept Plan map, along with the adopted Master Plan Process, will be the guiding documents
used by the Master Plan Committee.
Staff has prepared a draft Preliminary Concept Plan based on what is known of the natural
features, expected types of activities and likely areas for these uses. Generalized "bubble"
locations for low- impact recreation (trails, picnic areas), possible active recreation, nature study,
agricultural activities and other potential categories are reflected on the map, An area for future
County facilities has also been identified. If the Master Plan Committee wishes to make a
substantive change from the Preliminary Concept Plan as part of their design work, this would
be brought back to the Board for approval.
The initial meeting of the Master Plan Committee will be June 20th at 5:30 p.m. This would be
the only meeting of the group before the summer break, to allow completion of needed
topographic and cultural /archaeological surveys over the summer, before reconvening after
Labor Day. The Master Plan is expected to be completed by January 31, 2007.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact in approval of the Preliminary Concept Plan.
Topographic and cultural /archaeological surveys will be needed for the master plan. Funds for
these surveys are included in the proposed CIP, and staff will bring approval of these surveys
for a June action, so that the surveys can be conducted over the summer.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and approve the
Preliminary Concept Plan with any needed changes, and convey it along with the previously
adopted charge to the Master Plan Committee.
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Master Plan Process
Adopted — March 21, 2006
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To begin the planning for the proposed New Hope Park at
Blackwood Farm (working title), the following is offered as a draft
process for the Board's consideration. This draft is based on
discussions by staff and comments from the Board at the time of
acquisition in late 2001.
This draft process for a Master Plan Work Group is designed to
comprehensively integrate the many and varied components of
this 152 -acre site, located near the intersection of NC 86 and New
Hope Church Road.
I. Tentative Schedule of Activities*
Action
Master Plan process and charge approved
Date
March, 2006
Master Plan Work Group appointed /
Preliminary Concept Plan approval
May 16, 2006
Work Group begins work
June
Surveys authorized and conducted
June-August
Interim report to Board of Commissioners
October
Work Group completes Master Plan
January 31, 2007
Board of Commissioners reviews, modifies
and approves Master Plan
February- March, 2007
Site plan approval, engineering, construction
and bid documents completed
TBA
-drawings
Finalize and solicit bids, Board awards
contract
TBA
Construction of park - completed
TBA
Park Opens
TBA
* subject to change
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11. Proposed Master Plan Committee
A. Charge
1, DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN FOR THE NEW HOPE PARK AT
BLACKWOOD FARM SITE, WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE
PRE-CONCEPT PLAN, GUIDING PRINCIPLES (PLEASE SEE
ATTACHMENT 1) AND OTHER DIRECTION PROVIDED FROM THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
2. THE MASTER PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
COMPONENTS:
a. A master plan map for thepark. The plan map should include all proposed
buildings, playing fields, other fields, roads, parking, facilities, and
amenities, as well as vegetative cover, hydrology and other components
that are commonly included in park master plans.
b. A written report in support of the master plan map, outlining the proposed
uses, the design rationale, description of work group process, natural and
cultural features, existing and proposed land uses, means of soliciting
community input, potential future phases, and construction cost estimates.
3. THE MASTER PLAN WILL ADDRESS CO- LOCATION OF
PROPOSED FACILITIES WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING FOR
SYNERGIES OF USE AND APPROPRIATE TRANSITIONS BETWEEN
DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF THE PARK.
4. THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL SUBSEQUENTLY
ADDRESS PHASING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARK.
B. Product and Timeframe
A Master Plan report and map, as described above, by January
31, 2007 **
Timeframe: May 2006 -- January 2007 **
** - subject to change based on actual start date of the master plan design
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C. Proposed Makeup of the New Hope Park Master Plan
Committee
• 2 County Commissioners (also serve as Committee conveners)
• 2 Recreation and Parks Advisory Council members
• 1 Agricultural Preservation Board member
• 1 Commission for the Environment member
• 1 Historic Preservation Commission member
• 1 Economic Development Commission member
• 1 Orange County Planning Board member
• 4 citizens (at- large), including one farmer
Staff
County Manager or designee, Environment and Resource Conservation Director (project
coordinator), Recreation and Parks Management Director, Economic Development Director,
Planning Director, Open Space Design Specialist. Land Conservation Manager, Preservation
Planner, Parks Supervisor
(Assistance also to be solicited from County Engineer, Purchasing Director, District
Conservationist and Cooperative Extension Director).
III. Steps After Completion of the Master Plan
Once completed, the Master Plan will be submitted to the Board of
County Commissioners for approval.
The Board may approve the Plan, remand it back for further work,
modify the Plan, or decide not to pursue the Plan.
I
ATTACHMENT
Guiding Principles
In addition to the charge, the Committee shall use the following Guiding
Principles in developing a Master Plan for the site:
• The park design should conform to the Pre - Concept Plan approved by the
Board of Commissioners on May 16, 2006
• The site should promote a pedestrian - friendly environment and work to
discourage automobile traffic within the site
• The protection of important stream corridors and natural areas should be a
foremost consideration, and recreation and other facilities should be designed
in concert with the natural surroundings wherever possible. Grading and
alteration of the natural landscape should be minimized.
• The master plan should address the site primarily as a low- impact recreation
park that reflects and features the agricultural and environmental heritage,
historic structures and scenic and natural resources present
• Generally, all portions of the site not used for recreation or other facilities
should adhere to "Olmsteadian" park and open space design principles,
promoting open spaces, meadows, and fields that may flexibly be used for a
variety of purposes
• Efficiency opportunities in grouping of fields, facilities and infrastructure
should be explored
• The master plan should promote xeriscaping (native vegetation and minimal
water use) within the entire site
• The master plan should address incorporating the farmstead structures into
the overall park design
• The master plan should include the protection of scenic vistas within and
adjacent to the site
• The master plan should be designed with sensitivity to adjoining landowners
• The master plan should ensure that facilities location are based on access
and commonality of use
Additional basic operating principles may be developed by the Board of
Commissioners
Adopted by Orange County Board of Commissioners,
3/21/06