HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-23-2005-5sORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: .tune 23, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. 5 - s
SUBJECT: Authorization to IP Wark Group to Prepare Countywide Coordinated Parks
Plan Document
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource
Conservation, Recreation &
Parks
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
1, Memo and Attachments from IP Work
Group
2, Draft Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
Lori Taft, 245-2660
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider a proposal from the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (IPWG)
to prepare a countywide coordinated parks document,
BACKGROUND: Qn May 25, the IPWG met and discussed the need for a single document
that would combine the existing park plans from the jurisdictions within the County. The
Work Group felt that it would be beneficial to create a coordination document that combines
the existing parks plans of each jurisdiction into one brief document which would also include
maps of each individual parks plan and a master overlay map showing the plans for all
Towns and County together, This would build on the efforts undertaken in 1999 with the
Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group Report,
This concept would not propose to create a new Countywide plan, but rather to coordinate
the existing plans from each jurisdiction. It was felt that the resultant product would prove to
be a useful tool - to allow a glimpse of all parks plans at one time -and would enable elected
officials, parks planners and citizens to see how these plans fit together and perhaps identify
current or future gaps or potential duplication, In conjunction with this, the existing inventory
of facilities would be updated as a table attachment.
2
The attached memo includes information about the proposed document, along with an
attached resolution authorizing the IPWG to undertake this work. The memo and resolution
have also been sent to the Towns far consideration.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with creation of the
proposed document. However, the project will impact staff resources from ERCD and
Recreation and Parks, with the possibility of some ripple effects on schedules for other
projects, depending on the complexity of the work.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached
resolution and authorize staff to meet with their counterparts in the Towns to prepare a
timetable far completion of the project, if adopted by all jurisdictions.
MEMORANDUM
To: Michael Nelson, Mayor; Town of Cazrboro
Canboro Board of Aldermen
Kevin Foy, Mayor, Town of Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Town Council
Joe Phelps, Mayor, Town of Hillsborough
Hillsborough Board of Commissioners
Glendel Stephenson, Mayor, City of Mebane
Mebane City Council
Moses Cazey, Jr., Chair of the Board of Commissioners
Orange County Board of Commissioners
From: Alice Gordon, Chair
Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (IPWG)
Date: June 14, 2005
Re: Proposed Countywide Pazks and Greenways Coordination Document
On May 25`h, the Intergovernmental Parks (II') Work Group discussed the status of parks
plans in the different jurisdictions. As you probably recall, the Work Group was
reconstituted in 2004 to continue providing a mechanism for sharing of information and
coordination of parks efforts, There are 17 members on the Work Group, including
elected officials and advisory board members from each jurisdiction.
As part of this discussion, the Work Group felt that it would be beneficial to create a
coordination document that combines the existing parks plans of each jurisdiction into
one brief document, which would also include maps of each individual parks plan and a
master overlay map showing the plans for all Towns and County together. This would
build on the efforts undertaken in 1999 with the Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work
Group Report.
To be clear, this concept would not propose to create a new Countywide plan, but rather
to cowzlinate the existing playa from each,jurisdiction. It was felt that the resultant
product would prove to be a useful tool - to allow a glimpse of all parks plans at one time
- and would enable elected officials, parks planners and citizens to see how these plans
fit together and perhaps identify current or future gaps or potential duplication. Itr
conjunction with this, the existing inventory of facilities would be updated as a table
attachment.
4
Attachment 1 serves to provide additional detail about this idea, It was approved by the
IPWG on May 25, 2005.
The IP Work Group would request that each elected board consider authorizing the
IP Worlc Group and relevant staff from each jurisdiction to undertake the
compilation of this document over the next several months. It is expected that the
document would use existing text and language from the,jurisdictional plans where
possible, and that it would be concise in nature. If this is agreeable, staffs would report
back on a timeline for accomplishing this task.
The II' Work Group would be glad to undertake this task, under its charge to coordinate
and offer opportunities for information-sharing about parks and recreation in the County.
Approval of the resolution in Attachment 2 would allow the Work Group to proceed.
The Work Group will be glad to expand on these ideas if needed, and looks forward to
your response, Please forward responses to David Stancil, Orange County Environment
and Resource Conservation Director, dstancil(ndco.orange.nc.us,
Copies: Cal Horton, Chapel Hill Town Manager
John Link, County Manager
Eric Peterson, Hillsborough Town Manager
Steve Stewart, Carrboro Town Manager
Robert Wilson, Mebane City Manager
Attachment 1
Proposed Countywide Parks and
Greenways Coordination Document
Each of the local governments in Orange County has a parks plan of its own, addressing
the facilities and future plans of each ,jurisdiction, Some of the plans have been in
existence for many years, some are new and updated, and others are in the midst of being
updated.
A document and set of maps that tied together the different plans into one source would
be a useful tool to parks planners, elected officials and interested citizens - to see what
parks exist, where they are located, and what future parks are planned. It could also
identify places where there are "gaps" between the plans, or areas of possible future
duplication for further discussion by the ,jurisdiction(s) in question. This document could
be a relatively brief "user-friendly" publication.
The purpose of this document would Ge to coordinate atul combine the existing plarts into
one "seamless" document/n:ap, mtd not to alter the plans, or develop a new countywide
plan.
Possible Outline
1. Introduction /Rationale
2. Status of Park Plans
3. The Jurisdictional Parks Plans
a. Carrboro
b. Chapel Hill
c. Hillsborough
d. Mebane
e, Orange County
4, Countywide Map of Existing Parks, Greenways and Open Space
5, Countywide Map of Platmed Future Parks, Greenways and Open Space
6. Coordination and Future Updates
7. Conclusion
6
Attachment 2
A Resolution Asking the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group to
Work on a Countywide Parks and Greenways Coordination Document
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group was reconstituted by the
jurisdictions within Orange County in 2004, with a charge to further continue the
collaboration and coordination of parks planning within Orange County, and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group has identified a need for a concise
document, witlr maps that illustrate eaclr,jurisdiction's parks and greenways plans, and
WHEREAS, such a document and maps would enable the public, elected officials and
pazks planners to see, at a glance, how the different plans fit together and where gaps may
exist, and
WHEREAS, the creation of this document would not serve to supersede any existing
plans but rather serve to pull these plans together as a tool for future evaluation and
planning:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by (the relevant iurisdiction) that the
Intergovenunental Parks Work Group is authorized to undertake preparation of the
Countywide Parks and Greenways Coordination Document, as outlined in further detail
in Attachment 1,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that (the relevant staffs from each~isdiction that
participate in the Work Group) be authorized to participate in this effort,
This the _ day of , 2005
WITNESS:
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A Resolution Asking the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group to
Work on a Countywide Parks and Greenways Coordination Document
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group was reconstituted by the
jurisdictions within Orange County in 2004, with a charge to further continue the
collaboration and coordination of parks planning within Orange County, and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group has identified a need for a
concise document, with maps that illustrate each jurisdiction's parks and
greenways plans, and
WHEREAS, such a document and maps would enable the public, elected
officials and parks planners to see, at a glance, how the different plans fit
together and where gaps may exist, and
WHEREAS, the creation. of this document would not serve to supersede any
existing plans but rather serve to pull these plans together as a tool for future
evaluation and planning:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Orange County Board of
Commissioners that the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group is authorized to
undertake preparation of the Countywide Parks and Greenways Coordination
Document, as outlined in further detail in Attachment 1.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staffs from Orange County Recreation and
Parks and ERCD be authorized to participate in this effort, and meet with
counterparts in the Towns to discuss a timetable for the project and implications
on other project schedules.
This the 23rd day of June, 2005
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
WITNESS:
Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board