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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-09-2003-6cORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 9, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. ~j - G,,, SUBJECT: Report of the Efland Cheeks Park (II) Concept Plan Review Committee DEPARTMENT: ERCD, R&P PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT: 1) Possible Timetable of Activities David Stancil, 245-2590 2) Committee Report (Under Separate Cover) Lori Taft, 245-2660 Kimberly Siran, 969-9026 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To receive the report of the Efland-Cheeks Park (Phase 2) Concept Plan Review Committee. BACKGROUND: In the early 1990's, plans began for the construction of a community park co-located with Efland Cheeks Elementary School in western Orange County. In 1996, a park concept plan was developed by a citizen work group and consulting firm. Funds for Phase 1 of the park ($861,000) came from the voter-approved 1997 County Parks and Open Space bond, and Efland-Cheeks Park was constructed in 1998-2000 and opened for public access in May 2000. Amulti-purpose field, picnic shelter and basketball courts were constructed in Phase 1 of the park. A proposal to fund a second phase of the park was developed in 2001, and $250,000 was included as part of the successful 2001 County Parks and Open Space bond. In February of this year, the Board considered and approved a process, mission and charge for a committee to develop recommendations for Phase 2 of the park. Appointments were made to the Committee in May 2003. The committee charge included: • Review of the 1996 concept plan to determine its validity for use in Phase 2 construction • Develop recommendations for facilities to be constructed in Phase 2 of the park, using Board-approved criteria and guiding principles 2 The Efland Cheeks Park Committee met on three occasions between September 24 and October 29 to develop its report. The Committee used background information about the park along with astaff-generated Opportunities and Constraints report to explore issues, identify needs and discuss potential facilities. A summary of the Committee's meetings and the Opportunities and Constraints report are included as appendices to the Committee report. In summary, the Committee recommends that the following facilities be constn~cted in Phase 2 of the park (the list was generated based on priorities, available funds, and site limitations such as impervious surfaces): • A second picnic shelter • Lighting of the existing playing field • Lighting of the walking track around the playing field • A paved ADA-accessible trail linking the existing community center to the picnic shelter • %2-mile of nature trails in the northern portion of the park, linking to adjacent Richmond Hills subdivision open spaces • Relocation of existing playground equipment In addition to these recommendations, the Committee also discussed two additional items that were not resolved. The Committee asked the Board to consider two additional actions that the group felt should be addressed during the Phase 2 construction: 1) addressing the potential use of the "northern field" area directly north of the school (proposed far discussion at a future BOCC/School Board meeting), and 2) further review by County staff of alternatives for the existing sediment basin. Members of the Committee will be present to answer questions and clarify recommendations as needed. Upon receipt of the report, and subsequent approval by the Board of facilities for Phase 2 of the park, staff would begin the pre-construction phase of the project, which includes developing construction drawings, receiving site plan approval, and developing construction bid documents. It is anticipated that these steps would be completed and a construction bid award ready for Board action approximately four months after Board approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no financial impacts in receipt of the report. The recommendations in the report propose facilities to be constructed with $250,000 in 2001 Parks and Open Space band funds for Phase 2 of the park. Of the amount for this project, $125,000 was appropriated in FY 2002-03 and the remaining $125,000 is programmed for appropriation in the current fiscal year. The estimated cost of the proposed facilities is projected to range from $231,000 - $297,000. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the Committee report, thanking the Committee for its work, and provide feedback and direction to staff regarding the proposed Phase 2 facilities which staff can then incorporate into a draft site plan. Possible Timetable* Efland Cheeks Park, Phase 2 November Map revisions com lete, Committee report completed December 9 BOCC receives Committee Report, provides feedback .January- February, 2004 BOCC discussion /approval of Phase 2 plan, (approve Phase 2 plan, authorize staff to submit site plan, develop construction drawings and bid documents, and solicit bids) February, 2004 Site Plan re aced February, 2004 Site Plan submitted to Planning March, 2004 Site Plan approved (courtesy copy to Committee) March-A ril Final construction drawings and bid documents re aced Late-April Review of bid documents May 3 Bids solicited May 25 Bids due May 28 Bid o ening June 8 BOCC approves contract award Tuly-October Construction (mechanism for communication with community citizens in place) Late-Fall, 2004 Phase 2 Completed * -This timetable assumes best-case scenario, without unforeseen delays.