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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-14-2005-2ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 14, 2005 Action Agendas Item No. SUBJECT: Twin Creeks Master Plan Work Group Report DEPARTMENT: ERCD, Recreation and Parks PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): * -Work Group report * -Master Plan (map) * -Possible Timetable * -Citizen comments INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, ext 2590 Lori Taft, 245-2660 Marabeth Carr, 960-3880 Paul Thames, 245-2303 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive the report of the Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp") Master Plan Work Group, BACKGROUND: On .January 24~', the Board of Commissioners created a Twin Creeks Master Plan Work Group to consider a finite set of issues and questions related to the Twin Greeks master plan, and report back to the Board by April 15, The Work Group wad charged with the following tasks: Utilize the October 2004 (Design #2) draft Master Plan for Twin Creeks Park and Educational Campus to undertake only the following changes: a. Look at relocating/redesigning the proposed Elementary School #10 to the southeastern portion of the site (east of Jones Creek currently shown as "Futtare Educational Facility') b. Keep the four soccer field configuration intact in the redesign c. Consider locations for action sports facility/activities in the park d. Look at the feasibility of relocating the "stadium field" to the south with the park Address minor modifications needed as a result of the above work, for the locations of other schools within the schools campus and park facilities within the park site The Work Group was comprised of six persons, including Commissioners Carey and Gordon, CHCCS School Board members Nick Didow and Pam Hemminger, along with Patrick Sullivan of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council and Johnny Randall of the Commission for the Environment. z The Work Group met on two occasions -February 23`d and March 23`d, and issued the following findings: 1. Relocation of Stadium/track: While there might be benefits to locating the proposed stadium/track in the park, the Work Group felt that the need for keeping the stadium/track with the middle school that is planned for the northern part of the site was an overriding consideration, for programming reasons, Complicating factors based on topography and stream buffers were also noted, The Work Group did propose a proposed 1/3-mile loop trail around the meadow as an alternative to meet the needs for a measured walking or running trail. 2, Action Sports: While there does appear to be a need for such a facility as a BMX bike trail, the Work Group noted that the other proposed park facilities have been identified as needs by both the original work group and individual parks advisory boards, and that these -plus the concept of a community gymnasium -would appear to be a higher priority. That said, staff identified a potential area within the Piedmont EMC powerline easement that might be able to serve as such a facility, and the Work Group forwards that concept to the Board to consider further, as desired. 3, Elementary School (ES) #10: The Work Group found that its current location adjacent to the proposed future middle school was preferable to the possible location in the southeastern corner of the site. In general, the Work Group feels that the benefits of co- locating the two schools together, which can only occur on the educational campus in the northern portion of the site, outweigh the benefits of possible increased walkability for ES #10 in a southeastern location, Keeping the elementary school and middle school together offers synergies for shared supervision, food services, media centers, and other possible advantages. 4, Other minor modifications to the Master Plan: a, A footprint of a possible Action Sports (BMX bike course) in the Piedmont EMC easement, which would need to be explored further with PEMC and the Board of Commissioners, if desired. A proposed timeline of activity for the site is attached, which was provided to Work Group members, The next action step would be the approval of a Master Plan for the site, which will enable the preparation of a Conditional Use Permit application to the Town of Carrboro for the park, Elementary School #10 has recently been proposed far a fall 2009 opening, which would be the first scheduled school at the site, Staff has used the Fall 2004 master plan, with the few changes offered by the Work Group, to create the revised plan, and this is provided as the map attachment. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no cost involved in receiving this report and considering the Master Plan for approval, Funding for an initial phase of Twin Creeks Park was included in the voter-approved 2001 Parks and Open Space bond, in the amount of $1,2 million. The County Engineer has provided a preliminary estimate of connection for water and sewer of $575,000. However it is recommended that water/sewer connection may be deferred to future phases of the park. No portion of the planned connector road (total cost estimated at $950,000) is proposed for Phase 1 as currently shown, but a portion of the park entry road (southern boundary) would need to be constructed as designed, To address anticipated shortfalls for the first phase of the park, the concept of using the Soccer Superfund has been discussed briefly in previous meetings to advance the creation of fields in Phase I. Approximately $1,380,000 remains in the $2.0 million Soccer Superfund as identified in the 2001 bond. In addition, staff has proposed a possible grant application far up to $500,000 to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund or PARTF (next cycle is .lanuary 2006). RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the BOCC receive the report of the Work Group, and consider adoption of a Master Plan at this or a subsequent meeting. A phasing plan for the park and authorization for the Carrboro CUP application would also be requested at a subsequent meeting. MEMORANDUM To: Board of County Commissioners From: Twin Creeks Master Plan Work Group Date: April 14, 2005 Re: Recommendations of the Work In January, the Board appointed a 6-member short-tens work group to address specific issues related to the design of the plamred Twin Creeks Park and Educational Campus. Specifically, the Work Group was chaz-ged to: Utilize the October 2004 (De-sign #2) drnft Nln-rtes Plan for Twin Cree%s Park acrd Educntiorml Cmnpus to undertake only the following changes a Look at relocatingh ede-rigniug the proposed Elementary School #10 to the southeastern portion of fire site (east of.7oue-s Creek currently shown a.r "Future Educational Pnciliq~ ") b Keep the four soccer freld cos fgurntion intnct in the redesign c Consider locations fa' actin: spw6r fncility/activitie-s in the park d Loolc nt the feu-sibility of relocating t/re "staditnn field " to the south with the pork Address minor modifications needed ns a re-stilt of the nbone work, for the locutions of other schools within the school-s canrptts and pm k facilities within the park site Our Work Group met on February 2.3"~ and March 2.3`a to consider these questions and issues. The following recommendations constitute our findings and thoughts on the questions at hand: 1. While there might be benefits Yo locating the proposed stadium/track in the park, the Work Group felt that the need for keeping the stadium/track with the middle school that is planned for the northern part of the site was an overriding consideration, for programming reasons. It also appears to be difficult to fit this size of facility into the park area, given the topography, stream buffers and the probable need to delete another facility to make room for the stadium/track. However, the Work Group does think that the proposed loop trail around the meadow could be constructed as a measured walking track of 1/3 mile, as an alternative to meet the needs of citizens who desire a measured walking or rumring trail. 2, hi considering the action sports facilities requested, the Worlc Group considered what was involved in constntction of such a facility. While there does appear to be a need for such a facility as a BMX bike trail, it was noted flzat the other proposed park facilities have been identified as needs by both the original work group and individual parks advisory boards, and that these -plus the concept of a community gynmasium -would appear to be a higher priority, That said, staff has identified a potential area within the Piedmont EMC powerline easement that might be able to serve as such a facility, and that might be an issue for the Board to consider further, as desired. 5 3. Considering the matter of the location of Elementary School (ES) #10, the Work Group found that its current location adjacent to the proposed future middle school was preferable to the possible location in the southeastern corner of the site. In general, the Work Group feels that the benefits of co-locating the two schools together, which cazl only occur on the educational campus in the northern portion of the site, outweigh the benefits of possible increased wallcability for ES #10 in a southeastem location. 1Ceepirrg the elementary school and middle school together offers synergies for shared supervision, food services, media centers, and other possible advantages. 4. Minor modifications to the Master Plan as a result of the Work Group deliberations include: a. A footprint of a possible Action Sports (BMX bike course) in the Piedmont EMC easement, which would need to be explored further with PEMC and the Board of Commissioners, if desired. While not related to the Work Group charge, the Work Group also noted the benefits of rearranging and co-locating the temris courts. Staff concurs and would bring this back as a minor "tweak" to the Master Plan for subsequent Board consideration. We hope these recormnendations will be of use to the Board as it considers adoption of a Master Plan for the site, and we all look forward the end product of a co-located County district park and educational campus that will meet the needs of our citizens. We will be glad to respond further to additional questions, as desired. Twin Creelrs Work Group Moses Carey, County Conurzissioner Chair Alice Gordon, County Conunissiorrer NickDidow, CHCCSBoard of Education Pam Henuninger; CHCCSBoard of Education Johnny Randall, Connnissiar_forche Environment /NC Botanical Garden Patrick Sullivan, Recreation & Parlrs Advisory Council /Orange County Soccer Alliance ~~ ii tl iri _ li~iii~ j~_ ~ ~~ ~ III, rlllu~!~! ~~ vi e' © O © © ~ p O O O O ® O Iq,ul~ :: l III IIIIIIIII I~ II . d1161~~-_--_-- ~ E r .~ ( ' I III ~' ^ u :~,r,~: ~ $ a. a f~ / n 111 9! ~ u 4d ~ e 2 ~tm ~ yg i I •,/, all, VIII III Ili~lu~ i g tllll, , ' I §pp pp" •J'°~ - ~ ~ o I. ~ ~` ' ~ ~"¢ ~i 'il },~, '° I' ~~ tl 5~ OwU ' l I ,II 111111 ~ `~"'1111111, w Ill t , , 'l ; - ~ ~ ~o ~ 'I I~~ I ' I'' ill l o~:r 1. ,~_-- F ~ : I ~ i ~~ ~ ~ I J) I ~l , lu l VI II I~ ' (III I' I I ~) I IVI I~I III II I ,..~ ~. ~=~ ~-".i _ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ( I I i ~ Illlllllll:nulnu: u~_ '`. I ~ = III III:IIIIIIIIII) IIIIIIIII' ~, ( .~ ~ .:Im !Mil hull III . 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'~ : (7~~ (~°M1L'm'le~~~' ill ~I(.~.I f~..t:1ni~'.I~I ~ I ~ ~ ~ ~}~ ( I X111 ~ i$3~ i '~ 1~ =°= ~. ~1~ I II~ :~~ill _ :~ i ..._-- .----. _ -- e __~~ ~~ ~~ Twin Creeks Park Phase 1 A Possible Timetable Tentative schedule, subject to change If the Master Plan is adopted in May, 2005, the above schedule would result in: Cai~rboro CUP approval - Late-spring 2007 Conshuction begimling - Spring 2008 Opening of the park (Ph 1) - Spring 2009 Proposed Recommendations to the Board of Commissioners Regarding the County's Twin Creeks Park 1. Instruct Rich Shaw and other staff to develop a conservation easement or easements for all azeas of the Park which are not planned to be developed, especially the rhyolite site, streams and stream buffers, slopes, the pond and meadow, and forested areas shown as undeveloped on the current plan. 2. Allow Mary Ayers and Rich Shaw to continue to identify trees on the Park site which are less than 18 inches in circumference but which are of special or native species, place them on a survey and use this survey to protect said trees from development. 3. Develop a plan to use boardwalks, which aze used far example at Lake Crabtree Park or at the Johnson Mill Nature Preserve on Turkey Farm Road in (}range County, for walking trails along the two streams on the site, and solicit local Boy Scout Troops to help build them and the trails, 4. Instead of curb and gutter and pavement for roads and the parking areas, use gravel, swales and other methods associated with Low Impact Development (I,ID) practises. S. Allow the Planning Board to have its Chair and Vice-Chair, or proxy, have notice of, attend and participate in all negotiations with the Town of Carrboro regarding the development of the Park Site. 6. Allow the Planning Board to review all constnzction drawings for the Park before submittal to and review by the Board of Commissioners. 7. Create opportunities, including separate work forces, for members of the local birding communities and gardening communities to make recommendations for the creation of bird habitats on the site, including the meadow, for the creation of gardening, bird and other habit growth on the power line easement rnnning through the property, and for the creation of stonnwater wetlands for any stormwater retention ponds in a manner similar to what has been done at the Ellerbe Creek on the Hallandale Golf Course in Durham. (see www.ellerbecreek.ora and stormwater wetlands). 8. Examine carefully the justification for the number of parking spaces shown on the current plan. I 9. iJse the entrance road off of Old N.C. 86 far Park-related only traffic and not for access to any adjoining development. 10. Allow for input from local citizens and the Planning Board as soon as possible for glow-impact design and standards for any bridge or crossing of any stream in the Park. 11. Negotiate with the OWASA a reduction in their standard width for the clearing needed for any sewer and/or water line easement through the property especially along any stream comdars. Make certain that any such lines are offset from the streams and buffer areas as much as passible. 12. Instruct the Planning staff to develop Interpretative Trails through the site in conjunction with input from local naturalists. 13. Make all trails, other than those to be used by emergency vehicles, in keeping with a rustic woodland trail as defined by Chapel Hill's plan for Greenways. (See attached). 14. Before construction drawings are begun, examine ways to reduce the impact of development on the highest elevations on the site. 15. Put in place the buffering between passive and active uses on the site necessary to protect existing viewsheds, to create new viewsheds that nurhzre the Ohnsteadian pastoral principles for urban parks, and to provide visual separation between uses. 16. Plane the parking shown on the school site next to the power easement in the power easement instead of adjoining it. 17. Instruct the staff to examine ways to have any lighting far fields or active recreation areas be restricted in light flaw to those recreation areas only and prevent spillage onto passive areas of the Park. 18. Examine ways to allow for private donations for specific projects on the site. io 19. Enstu'e that the construction company that does the work on site has a track record of being sensitive to environmental issues including tree protection.