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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 Parks & Rec- Town of Hillsborough planning for Fairview Park, parks operations base & Public Works facilities - Land SwapRETURN THIS COPY TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE FOR THE PF.RA ANENT AGENDA FIIZ STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF ORANGE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY OF ORANGE REGARDING PLANNING FOR FAIRVIEW PARK, COUNTY PARKS OPERATIONS BASE AND TOWN AND COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES TM AGREEMENT, made and entered into between the Town of Hillsborough, North Carolina, a North Carolina municipal corporation, 101 East Orange Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 (hereinafter referred to as the "Town'), and Orange County, a body politic and corporate, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, 200 South Cameron Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 (hereinafter referred to as the "County`% for the joint development of a park and public facility campus. WHEREAS, the parties to this agreement are public. bodies, politic and corporate, under the laws of the State of North Carolina; and WHEREAS, the parties are vested with the power and authority to own and improve real estate for recreational and other public purposes; and WHEREAS, the Fairview area of Hillsborough has a designated park site (hereafter "the Fairview park site') that was established as part of the Community Revitalization effort funded through Community Development block Grants in the 1980s, and identified in both the County and Town Comprehensive Plans; and WHEREAS, limited facilities have been constructed at the Fairview park site, including a playground and playing field; and WHEREAS, the 2001 Park and Open Space Bond for Orange County included $850,000 for planning and construction of the Fairview park site; and WHEREAS, the Town and County both own property including and in the immediate vicinity of the Fairview park site, including the Orange County Public Works facility, totaling 92 acres; and WHEREAS, the Town and County recognize the mutual benefit and interest of the parties hereto, and to the public generally, in the construction of park and community facilities on the 1 Fairview park site and other Town and County owned property in the vicinity of the Fairview park site; and WHEREAS, it is recognized by both parties that there are limitations imposed by safety o considerations caused by the Fairview park site's previous use for waste - disposal purposes, as addressed in part by a geo-technical report ("Report of Geotechnical Evaluation, Closed Hillsborough Landfill Site, July 19,2000') in 1999; and WHEREAS, the parties recognize the mutual benefit in the County acting as the lead entity in the construction and financing of facilities at the Fairview park site (but not the Town's proposed Public Works facility), to be built with funds from the 2001 bond amount of $850,000; and WHEREAS, the laws of the State of North Carolina provide that the parties hereto may contract, for the joint design, construction, development and use of facilities for the stated public purposes; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto agree to allow master planning for the future constriction and use of all of the three properties identified on the map in Attachment 1 to be developed and programmed for public activity as one unit meeting mutual needs contingent on future approval of plans for the properties by the entity or entities having jurisdiction to approve such plans; and WHEREAS, the funding for any additional facilities or activity at the Fairview park site (beyond the $850,000 currently appropriated by the County for Phase II of the park) will be addressed by the County and Town in a mutually - agreeable fashion at a later date: NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises and obligations set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which .is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 1. PROCESS FOR PLANNING & DESIGN OF PARK, COUNTY PARKS OPERATIONS BASE AND TO" AND COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES The.process for planning and designing the Fairview park site, County Parks Operations Base and Town and County Public Works facilities will encompass the land currently owned by both the Town and County in the immediate vicinity of the Fairview park site (as shown in the map in Attachment 1). Together these parcels represent approximately 92 acres and are hereinafter collectively referred to as "the Site." The Planning for the Fairview Park and County Parks Operations Base will focus on the parr but will also consider and address, to the extent possible, the interests of both the Town and County to locate additional, facilities on the property, such as the County Parks Operations Base and Town and County Public Works facilities. The County and Town will appoint, as soon as practical, a Master Plan Committee to develop recommendations for the design and use of the Site. The Committee shall be appointed by approval of both County and Town Boards of Commissioners, and shall consist of the following charge and membership: 5 A. CHARGE to the Master Plan Committee: Develop a Master Plan for the Site, within the framework of any operating guidelines or other instructions as offered by the elected Boards, to include the following. 1. A map of the Site with the design for the Fairview Park, including proposed buildings, playing fields, roads, parking, trails, other facilities, amenities, infrastructure locations, vegetative cover, hydrology and other components that are commonly included in a park or public facility concept plan. The map of the Site shall include existing and planned buildings of the County Parks Operations Base and the Town and County Public Works facilities. Planning of the County Parks Operations Base and the Town and County Public Works facilities is limited to the location of buildings, roads, parking and other infrastructure. 2. A written report outlining the proposed uses, the design rationale, description of work group process, natural and cultural features, means of soliciting community input, the potential future phases, and construction cost estimates. If needed, the report should also include a phasing plan, showing how the Fairview Park and other public facilities could be developed over time *in a cost- efficient fashion. The report should include a recommendation concerning which facilities should be constructed, utilizing the funds remaining from the $850,000 allocated for the pmject after the planning, design, and survey work (estimated to cost $200,000) have been completed. 3. The report should address and recognize the limitations imposed by safety considerations caused by the Fairview park site's previous use for waste - disposal, as addressed in part by a geo- technical report prepared in 1999 ( "Report of Geotechnical Evaluation, Closed Hillsborough Landfill Site, July 19, 2000'). Further recommendations may be needed to address phased remediation of portions of the Fairview park site. 4. The Master Plan should address co- location of existing and future public facilities and provide for a synergy and compatibility of uses between park functions and other public functions wherever possible. The rights of neighbors should be respected by buffering incompatible uses. 5. The Committee should review the "old" 1988 Fairview Park Concept Plan as part of the Master Plan and determine its validity, if any. Product: A Master Plan report and map, as described above. Timeframe for Product: by September, 2005 M, Final Steps: Once completed, -the Master Plan will be submitted to both Boards of Commissioners for approval. The Boards may approve the Plan, remand it back for further work, identify revisions and alternatives, or decide not to pursue the Master Plan. Proposed Membership of Master Plan Committee: ➢ 2 Orange County Commissioners ➢ 2 Hillsborough Town Commissioners ➢ 1 member, Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Commission ➢ 1 member, Orange County Recreation and Parks Advisory Council ➢ 6 community citizens Staff assistance to the Committee would be provided jointly by Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough, including the County and Town Managers (or their designees), County Open Space Design Specialist, County Recreation and Parks Management Director, County Environment and Resource Conservation Director, Town and County Planning Directors, County and Town Engineers, County Purchasing Director, County and Town Public Works Directors, and other staff members as shall be deemed necessary. Operating principles for the Master Plan Committee should include the following: 1. The Committee should review and consider the 1988 Concept Plan and determine its validity and usefiilness 2. The Committee should consider impacts on the County Parrs Operations Base and the Town and County Public Works facilities in developing the Master Plan, incorporating these facilities into the scheme of the Master Plan as far as practical. 3. The Committee is asked to address and site the following as part of the Master Plan: ➢ Active and low - impact recreation facilities ➢ Provision of buffers for adjoining neighborhoods ➢ Protection of sensitive natural resource lands A Reflect existing and proposed County Parks Operations Base and Public Works facilities and the infrastructure necessary for these facilities 4. The Committee should not address the following facilities as part of the Master Plan: D Orange County Public Works expansion or a Town of Hillsborough Public Works facility — beyond the Site infrastructure design and designating the areas for such activities on the Master Plan ➢ County Parks Operations Base — beyond the Site infrastructure design and designating the areas for such activities on the Master Plan 3. PROCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AND PROGRA EVHNG OF Sl"I'E The Master Plan Committee shall recommend the following with respect to a further interlocal agreement between the Town and County: I. the roles and responsibilities of the park and facility construction process; 2. The roles and responsibilities for operation & maintenance of the park, including contributions for operation and maintenance; 3. The roles and responsibilities for programming of the park 4. If desired, mechanisms for funding of additional facilities in Master Plan beyond the County's $850,000 for the park 5. Process for deciding how to embark on next phases, joint agreement, etc. 4. AMENDMENTS This agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the Town and County. 5. TERM This agreement shall terminate (a) upon the decision by the Boards of Commissioners of the Town and County on the Master Plan, adoption of a Town and County construction and operations interlocal agreement and the "sunsetting" of the Master Plan Committee, or (b) sixty (60) days after either party serves written notice on the other of its intention to terminate the agreement. 6. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS= Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as waiving, modifying or granting any local government permits or approvals which may be necessary for the development and/or construction of any facilities or improvements, nor shall it be construed as creating any additional permit or approval process beyond that provided in the applicable local- land use regulations. It is contemplated that the County will be responsible for seeking and obtaining such local government approvals as may be necessary for any work undertaken pursuant to an approved Master Plan. The party responsible for this work shall be identified in a subsequent interlocal agreement. 7. ENTIRE AGREEMENT= This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement of the parties hereto. 0 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Agreement have duly and validly approved it and caused it to be executed in their behalf by the undersigned agents. This, the 16th day of November, 2004. TOWN OF HILLSB ROUGH y- Approved Town Attomdy OF Orange "S, Attest: Donna Baker, Grlerk to the Board /*d as to Form and authorization: K :s .s Is This Agreement has been pre - audited in the manner required by the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act. r Finance Director 9 9 P11 MAP :November 16, X006 Mr, Rod Visser. . Interim County Manager P.O. Box 81$1 Hillsbomugb NC 27278 RE: Fairview Master Plan Approval and iTillsborough Motor Pool/Public Works Site This is a follow-up to the October 3011 meeting at the proposed Fairview Pad fiflsbomugh Motor Pool - site between key staff and elected officials from Orange County and the Town of Iffibborough. I feat having the opportemiiy to siaonultaneously walk the `hardwoods'' portion of the site while dishing: eat, aeon's .Wfs end spring ideas in develop possible solutions was quite helpful — thank you for making this suggestion! During this meeting, the concept of HiMborough being able to participate with Orange Comity in the development of shared meeting space at the L ink Government Services Center created an opportunity to address m Uny of the intetwis that were discussed dozing the October 301i meeting. In summary, the' following is a list of the key points that County and Tows officials `roughed out' while we were on the IArdwoods" site Ong this mattes: • The Town of if llsbmough would reduce the size of the land pm wl it receives as part of the "land. swap" with Orange County, by agreeing not to build in the "hatdwood» section, thusAelpmg fzzWize the Fairview Public Campus Master Plan approval process. • Site fimitatiotrs mwftd by the loss of the use hardwoods areal and the buffeting needs due to the. reddences bordering this property to the south limit the aniouat of facilities &e 'Town bad baped to sit this poperty. the possibility of partnering with Orange County for stinted meeting space *vides an oppor<timity to more than make up for the loss. of the acreage and it pietvas the `tiardvwarods." • Designate the popetfy west of the fuel pun4w as 4ifterved for fame use to' be negotiadod between Orange Coumy and the Town of at an point when Otte of the patties has a patential use that this property could accommadate. I am planning to -recdpifaeitid to die Town's. Board of Commissioners, at theta Decembear 11* meeting, . they fo nn$lly adopt the Mernotandum of Uadersta� j- for the Fairview -public Campus Master Plan in accordance with the conditions oudined-6ove. Mayor Stevezts, 101 Ead Orange.S&xw • P.O. Box 420 • Hillsborough North Carolina 27278 Jb ` Page Two November 16, 2006 :.. Fairview Public Campus Master Plan Assistant Town Manager Demdric Potts, and I all felt this was an excellent exercise in collaborative problem solving and $ms want to thaw you, Chair Jacobs, Commissioner Idalldotis, and the Orange County staff for your help and patience during our meeting on October 300. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any alternative suggestions, ideas, questions, or concerns on this matter. Sincerely, Eric Peterson Town Manager r -C: Mayor Tom Stevens' Willsbord6gh Board of Commissioners Demetac Pottk Assistait Town Manager /Public - Works Director ,R 1�4 ham,- • a 2)c Ca rQ 4- -�Co RCLr kw- & + 4 Recommendations of the Committee aa^ °LO0tD)C-;� Note: In reviewing the master plan and the following recommendations, it may be useful to think of the master plan for the site as having three sections, or 'pods.' The "southern pod' includes the majority of proposed park facilities and would be accessed from Torain Street or the connector trail (see below) - or for persons outside of the neighborhood, from the NC 571 NC 86 intersection. The "western pod" is located adjacent to the existing community policing station and is adjacent to Rainey Avenue. The eastern pod' contains the County Public Works site and future Town Public Works site, along with other planned future County facilities. The reason for the 'pod" design approach is explained in the rationale section on page 6. After considering all of the above information and discussing the possibilities, the Committee recommends the following actions as facility improvements for Phase 2 of the park: 1. That the following facilities be constructed as Phase 2 of the Fairview Park as the top priorities (as shown on the attached Master Plan map on page 4). These facilities are listed in priority order, with the understanding that some facilities may need to be deferred based on available funds: • Two hard - surface lighted basketball courts, located the "southern pod." • A full-size youth baseball /softball field, located in the southern part of the site. • Two new playg ounds, one near the new ballfield in the "southern pod," and a replacement playground in the "western pod" near the existing structure and police station. • A picnic shelter with concessions bay (and 12ossible restrooms), located near the new ballfield in the "southern pod" • Walking trails of approximately 1/2 mile in total, with a main trail connection between the ballfield ( "southern pod ") and the police station / playground ( "western pod "). There would also be a trail around the new ballfield, with spur to the southern parking lot and Torain 13 Street, and a connection to Rainey Avenue at Homemont Avenue. • Three tennis courts, located adjacent to the new ballfield. • A voll eyball court, adjacent to the existing ballfield While not a park facility per se, a main parking lot and access road is also proposed from the east and the NC 86 / NC 57 intersection. A smaller parking lot would be located on Torain Street, and the existing parking at the "western pod" police station/ playground would also be retained. 2. It is proposed that the former landfill areas on the northern part of the site be maintained in grass and allowed to be used informally for non - structured activities (dog - walking, open meadow, bird - watching). 3. Opportunities for integrating environmental education and habitats in conjunction with the former landfill should be considered, including signage. 4. Interest exists in both a community room and use of the former landfilled areas for subsequent phases of the park as opportunities arise and Town/ County funds permit. 5. The Town and County may wish to pursue additional funding through grants (Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, US tennis Association, for example) and future bonds, to enable the construction of more facilities at the park. 6. Once the master plan is finalized and a construction schedule is identified, a copy of both should be placed at the Fairview Community Policing Substation for community information. A sign noting "Future Site of Fairview Park" would also be helpful. 7. The facilities planned for the "eastern pod" (the Public Works and County Facility portions of the site) have been sketched in M.M F hwh� AA on the master plan, as per the Committee's charge. It is our understanding the exact location of these future activities will be addressed at a subsequent time. Master Plan Rationale As the master plan design unfolded, the Committee became aware that the majority of the proposed. activity would need to be located . in two 'pods' of the park. This was made apparent by the uncertainty surrounding use of the former landfilled areas ' and the existing plans for the County and municipal future uses on the eastern part (eastern pod) of the site. Therefore, the facilities were designed to avoid these areas, work around the existing stream buffer, and try to protect as much of the mature hardwood forest in the southern part of the site as possible. However, the remaining best usable land was largely located in the 'southern pod' near the hardwoods area. The master plan sites most of the facilities of the park In this area, while preserving a block of the hardwoods. The design attempts to keep as much of this area intact as possible, and sites only a picnic shelter and playground (which can be nestled among the trees). The larger facilities are located to the north and west of the best part of the hardwoods. Specimen trees of large caliper or age were also protected. The retention of this forested area will also serve as a buffer for residents along Torain Street The Town of Hillsborough plans to construct a 10,000 to 12,000 square foot Public Works/Motor Pool facility on its designated site (generally the southwest comer of the County Public Works property, which•would be transferred to the Town). Also to be included on the site is 7,000 to 8,000 square feet of covered storage facilities. NOTE Based on subsequent discussions by the Town and County. the Town will reduce the size of the land parcel it receives as part of a land swap ,nrith Orange Countv, by aareeina not to build in the "hardwood'- section. As such. ,.he Master Plan map should reflect the area west of the existing fuel pumps. as r-.; t t -n^ to ho nortntiatori hFtwApn Oranrie Countv and the :his property could accommodate Please see Apoendix 4 fior additional details. The second pod of activity is smaller and would be located near the existing Hillsborough Community Policing Station. The group recognized that there is an arbor and history of using this area, termed the 'westem pod', as a gathering spot, and while the available or usable land is limited, some facilities would be retained here. These facilities are also easily accessed from Rainey Avenue. To facilitate greater accessibility between the two pods of park activity, a connector trail is proposed that offers a direct way of moving from the 'western pod' (police station/picnic/playground area) to the `southern pod" (ballfield and other facilities). This 1000 -foot trail also allows persons entering the park from 14 1 Deleted: The Town plans to beats i its taeDlies on ft western portion or the eats with 20 Urtmrt b leave f ee for _ Deleted: t - - VA either Torain Street or Rainey Avenue to access the other portion of the park. In addition to this trail, trails around the ballflield and a connector trail to the intersection of Rainey and Homemont Avenue are also reflected. Thus, pedestrians could enter the park from Rainey Avenue, Torain Street or Homemont Avenue, as well as from other intersections with Rainey Avenue. Access for non - pedestrians would come via three possibilities. The primary entrance for persons coming to the park from outside of Fairview would be via an extension of the existing Public Works Drive. This road would be continued west and then curve northwest into the main parking area of the park (adjacent to the ballfield and large "southern pod "). This will discourage park traffic from outside of the neighborhood from putting more vehicles on community streets to reach the park. For persons driving from within Fairview, there are two parking opportunities — the existing lot off Rainey Avenue at the "western pod," and a new small lot along Torain Street near the ballfield and "southern pod." The committee remains interested in the future possibilities for the northern (former landfilled) portion of the site, but understands that addressing the actions needed to make this area usable might siphon away some or all of the funds to build the park. The focus of the master plan is thus to create a design that provides for good pedestrian and vehicular access to the park, using the best areas for facilities and leaving the uncertain open areas for future consideration. It is proposed that the former landfill areas (shown as open lands on the master plan) be planted in grass for now, to provide an open meadow area, with birdboxes and areas for unstructured activities (such as dog - walking, bird - viewing and other non - facility use). In designing the park, the group developed a list of possible facilities and then selected preferred facilities based on community needs and interests, as well as cost estimates for the facilities. The cost estimates used in this effort, and the priority listing, are shown as Appendix 3. The budget for the park is $850,000, and the Committee attempted to design a park in this range. CONCLUSION Citizens in Fairview have looked forward to the creation of the community park at this site for many years. The Committee has attempted to design a park within the parameters of the group's charge. There were a number of limitations that affected the flexibility for park design, largely due to the former landfilled areas and the challenges of retaining the needed lands for future County/Town use and protecting the mature hardwood areas and a buffer along the southern boundary. Given these constraints, and the stream buffer, the areas that remained for potential park use were limited and led to the "pod" design approach - to attempt to make the most out of the areas _1_1/ l� of the site that were usable. The pod design also helps promote pedestrian access to different portions of the site, and directs traffic to the park away from the residential streets in Fairview. The Committee thanks the Orange County and Town of Hillsborough Boards of Commissioners for the opportunity to develop this master plan design, and eagerly looks forward to seeing Fairview Park come to fruition. In this spirit, the Fairview Master Plan Committee commends this report to the Town and County Boards of Commissioners. APPENDICES Appendix 1 — Memorandum of Agreement Appendix 2 - Opportunities and Constraints Report Appendix 3 — Cost Estimates and Priority Facility Listings ✓_;.S'1 t {,..� '- _ tro, t n ni�E i'SS's