HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-13-2001-1ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Oa[a: November 13, 2001
Action Agentla
Item No. _ '~_
SUBJECT: Confirmation of Allcwad Uaea at Lille River Ra9ional Pad
DEPARTMENT: ERCD, Recreation & Parks PUBLIC NEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
DmH October 22 BOCC Actions- Davitl Sfancil, 245-2590
Future Uae and Development of Lille Rich Shaw, 245-2591
River Park Bob Jones, 245-2561
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough ]3241181
Chapel HIII 9664501
Durham 888-]137
Mebane 336.22)-2031
PURPOSE: Tc conhrm the actions taken by BOCC on October 22 with regeN tie appropdate
uses for the Lille River Regional Park and Natural Area.
BACKGROUND: In 2000-01, Orange County and DuMem County aopuiretl a 391-acre
property for the new Little River Regional Park antl Natural Area. The Intentletl use of the site
is forlow-impact recreation antl preservation of important wiMlhe habhat antl open space. The
regional pad will be joinlly owned and managetl by Orange antl Durham counties in
accortlance with an in[etlocal agreement (ye[ b be tlevelopetl).
The Little River Park Atlvispry Committee (LRPAC) was established by Me project partnem in
Fell 2000 to evaluate the property and [c help develop plans for the future use of the padlantl.
An Augual1. 2001 report from the Comminee containetl a set of recommentlations on what
uses ahoultl antl should not be allowed within the new park. The recommentlatbns were basetl
on seven meetings, during which members toured the pads property, evaluatetl the property
values antl site limitations, received inputfrom different usergroup represen[aWes, and
gathered cdaen input on desired park uses and facilities
The LRPAC Report was presented tc the Orange County BOCC on August 14, 2001 antl was
diacueaed further on October 22.2001. The BOCC proppsetl takings number of actions wRh
regaN to [he future use antl development of the park. A list of the proposed actions is
aHached. Decisions on the future use antl development will neetl to he a9reetl upon by the
Orange and Durham bcaMa. The Durham County BOCC accepted the proposed uses as
remmmentletl by the LRPAC on August 21, 2001.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for park development wmes froma$262,000 gren[awaMetl
from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (to be expended by September 2002). Park
opemdon and maintenance will require future expentlitures of Orange County antl Dwham
County funtls, which are as ye[ unbutlgeted by either county. The speclflc roles and
responsibilhies for LiHle River Regional Park tlevelopment, opemlicn antl maintenance will be
indutletl in a forthcoming In[edocal agreement between the hvo counties.
RECOMMENOATION(8~: The Manager rewmmentle that the eoeM review and confirm the
liar of positions discussed by the BOCC an October 22, 2001.
LI(ile River ftagional PoM1 end Neturel Area
Draft October 22 BOCC Actions:
Future Use and Development of Little River Regional Park
On OROber 22, 2001 the 02nge County BOCC discussed taking the fallowing
actions with regaM M the Little River Park Atlvisory Comm'Rtee (LRPAC)
recommentladons for Ne future use and development of the Little River Regional
Park antl Natural Area:
L Approve allowing the follmving uses Mat hatl been recommended by
Me LRPAC hlking/nature trails, picnic area/shelter, hartl surtace
trail/picnic loop, playground, open play meadows, fishing;
2. Approve prohibiting the following uses that had been recommentletl by
Me LRPAC: nrotorizetl vehicles, hunting, (rearms;
3. ARer consitlerable tllscusslon, to approve allowing mountain biking,
subjeR ro the mndidons that were recommended by the LRPAC;
4. Ask that Durham County BOCC be apprised that a) Orange County
WCC has serious reservafions about constructing facilities far
horseback riding (but agrees that horseback riding on a designated
trail is an allowable use), antl b) Orange County BOCC is intersstetl in
allowing both group camping apd individual camping, conditioned on
there being an on-site caretaker. Oange County BOCC would Ilke to
engage the Durham County BOCC in further discussion about these
uses;
5. Authorize stag to solicit bitls for a wntractor to develop a ConrRpt plan
for Me agreetl-upon proposed park fadlltles with rewgnPoOn of other
possible contlitional uses; antl
6. AuNOtlze staff to work with Durham County to tlevelop a tl2R
interlocal agreement far the Board's review antl tleusion at a future
meeting.