HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-02-2004-10aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 2, 2004
Action Agenda
Item No. ",
SUBJECT: Fairview Park Report
DEPARTMENT: Recreation & Parks, ERCD
Public Works, County
Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
A'iTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, ERCD Dir.,ext, 2590
Aerial Photo Property Maps (3) Wilbert McAdoo, Pub. Works Dir.,ext, 2625
(under separate cover) Lori Taft, Rec, & Parks Dir., ext. 2660
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To present a series of maps showing existing, proposed and potential uses of the
properties belonging to Orange County and the Town of Hillsborough in the Fairview Park,
Orange County Public Works vicinity.
BACKGROUND: Orange County has had an ongoing interest for many years in the potential
uses of its Fairview Park property since it was acquired in the early 1980's. The property, which
was used by the Town of Hillsborough as its municipal landfill until its acquisition and closure by
Orange County, was purchased as a part of the Community Development Block Grant project
that provided paved roads and water and sewer utilities to the Fairview community. The County
has undertaken several park master planning studies and landfill evaluations since the property
was acquired, Most recently, the Board of County Commissioners and the Hillsborough Town
Board have directed County and Town staff to work together to look at what might be
accomplished in terms of County and Town needs for Public Works sites and site expansion
and park development, Since November 2003, County staff (County Manager, Assistant
Manager, Purchasing, Recreation & Parks, ERCD and Public Works Directors, County
Engineer) and Town staff (the Town Manager, Planning and Public Works Directors) have met
on several occasions to evaluate which areas of the properties are unsuitable or less suitable
for development (active landfill area, steep slopes, wetlands, etc.); are suitable for Public Works
expansion or active recreation; or have high value in terms of natural features and thus less
suitable for active recreation or public works uses. A prapased "land swap" of Town and County
properties suitable for public works development (a portion of Town property immediately
adjacent to the County's existing public works buildings/work areas for a portion of County
property south of the existing entrance drive) has also been an important topic of discussion.
Three iterative maps have been developed to provide a graphic description of the park and
adjacent land characteristics and potential uses overlaid on aerial photography that shows the
juxtaposition of existing forested and cleared areas, housing, roads, infrastructure, etc. The
initial map iteration, Alternative I, represents the staff group's first effort at delineating existing
conditions and potential desirable uses. The second map iteration, Alternative II, though very
similar to the initial iteration, does reflect Hillsborough's preference for an increase in the size of
the area designated for Hillsborough public works development with a corresponding decrease
in the size of the area (containing high value hardwood forest) targeted for preservation and low
impact recreation. The third and final map iteration, Alternative III, continues to reflect the
Town's desire for a larger public works site but also addresses the problematic location of active
recreation uses on areas historically used far landfill activities. Alternative III shows a
reconfiguration of the areas proposed for County public works expansion, inactive and active
park recreation, and Town public works development to allow the active recreation to be
developed in an area where no landfill activities have occurred.
All iterations assume a buffer area (approximately 50 feet wide) across the southern end of the
Town's property and the existing County Public Works property to separate public works
activities from the adjacent residential area of the Fairview community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board:
® review the Fairview Park alternatives, mindful of potential implications relative to
developing park activities on landfill areas, fulfilling recreational activity commitments,
and addressing Town and County interests in other potential uses of the property, and
® direct County staff as to how the Board wishes the staff to proceed.