HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-06-2002 - 4 JOINT MEETING
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
' HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Oate: May62002
Action Age
Item No.
SUBJECT: Fairview Joint Efforts
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No -
Conservation, Planning
ATTACHMENT INFORMATION CONTACT:
Possible Master Plan Scenario David Stanch, 245-2590
Fairview Park—Activities to Data Craig Benedict, 245-2592
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 7328181
Chapel Hill 9684501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336227-2031
PURPOSE: To discuss joint County/Pown activities in the Fairview community.
BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years, a number of potential joint activities in the Fairview
community have been discussed and/or pursued by the Town and County.
The concept of a community park at Fairview dates back to the 1980x, and is reflected in the
County's Parks Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Following geotechnical soil testing In
2000, the cost of which was shared by the County and Town. the "Field of Dreams"was
constructed and opened In September 2001. The attached background sheet provides
additional information on discussions and actions regarding Fairview Park to date.
In November 2002, County voters approved -as part of the Parks and Open Space band -
$850,000 for park facilities at Fairview Park. A playground and ballfeld currently exist on
41 acres owned by Orange County. The Town of Hillsborough owns an adjoining 25 acres at
this site. The Cou ny Manager's recommended CIP for 2002-2012 includes$100,000 for
fiscal year 2002-03 for the Fairview Park project, with the remaining $750,000 split between
2003-04and2004-1 Preliminary proposals for the park discussed in 2001 outlined the
potential for a regulation soccer field, a multi-purpose field (softball/youth soccer), a picnic
area and basketball courts. However, there is no current concept plan for Fairview Park.
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In addition to Fairview Park, other issues of mutual Town/County interest include the new
community policing center and annexation of portions of the publicly awned property in
Fairview, as well as other issues.
Prior to proceeding with the park and otherjoint initiatives,however, some key questions
remain unanswered, including:
1) Should the park and other faoilues be pad of a master plan that incorporates all potential
uses at the site (as listed above)?
2) Will the park be a County park, or ajoint County/Hillsborough park?
3) Should a master plan, if developed, include the Tom's land as well as the County's 41
acres?
4) If the total 67 acres are master planned, how might this process be accomplished (one
draft proposal for how this might be accomplished may be found is attached)?
Once these questions are addressed, planning for the park, other facilities and eventual
operation and maintenance may be better addressed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with discussion of this
topic at this time. Fairview Park improvements, as noted above, are being considered in the
County's 2002-12 CIP.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss current and
prospective opportunities for collaboration in the Fairview area between the County and the
Town, and provide appropriate direction to staff.
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A Possible Fairview Master Plan
Work Group Scenario
If the County and Town decide that the activities at Fairview (park, policing
center, other facilities) should be rvardinated in a senator plan process, the
following is an example of how the process might work. The process that
follows was developed consistent with two similar ventures:
• the draft Chapel Hill Township Park and Educational Campus Master
Plan process, and
• the draft 'Planning Process for Joint County/Town Parks and Open Space
Projects', currently being considered by the Intergovernmental Parke
Work Group
Stan l
Appoint a Project Planning Group(PPG) of elected officials to make key
decision about project,including:
• develop a pre concept plan for chasers
• develop Guiding Principles to be used in the Master Plan
• address publicc participation in the Master Plan(including Master Plan
Work Group composition)
address lead entity for construction,operation and maintenance of the
facility
Stan 2
PPG reports to elected boards on recommended process above
Step 3
Master Plan Work Group appointed to use pre concept plan and guiding
prumiplea to develop site Master Plan(which includes park concept plan and
site plan fur other facilities). Work Group might begin with review of 1986
park concept plan
An example of the makeup of such a group might include:
• Elected offMwls
• 6'ouaty/Town Managers
• Community citizens
• County/Town advisory, board representatives(parks, open space,
environment,planning, other)
Cl
Step,
Master Plan Work Group develops Moaner Plan, breaking into sub omm@tees
as needed and providing elected boards with interim report
Step 5
Master Plan reviewed and approved by elected board(s). Project lead entity
initiates bid and construction process
step 6
Park and site facilities are constructed and opened
S
Fairview Park - Activities to Date
1982-83 Initial ideas for park at Fairview discussed
April 1983 County acquires 41-acre parcel
1980 Initial Pork concept plan (Orange County
consultant) completed. No funding for park,
issues regarding former landfill raised
Ca 1988 Playground developed at park
1997 Town of Hillsborough receives presentation
from Euroaport regarding soccer complex (not
pursued)
July-September Joint County/Town Fairview Ad Hoc
1999 Committee* formed to discuss site and
potential facilities. Committee recommends
geotechnical tests to see if site/soils are
suitable.Test funds shared by County and
Town.
August 1999 Community residents install backstop for
baseball play("Iceld of Dreams" at park site
Spring 2000 Geo-technical testing of soils conducted,
completed in July 2000 with site given clean
bill of health for park
2001 County-constructs ballfield ("held of
Dreams). Field opens September 2001.
Funding for further park development
included in County bond referenda
November 2001 County voters approve bonds, including
$850,000 for Fairview Park
•-Committel"rostra 4 County Commissioners el.eva aalkious and Barry Jacobs.
Eillaboroug], Commissioners Ken C'mnons and Nark 6haridas,County Manager John nos,
Town Nauaver Eric Peterson, County lennneer Paul Thsmee and Recreation and Parke
Director}kb Jancs