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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-03-2000-9bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 3, 2000 Action Agenda Item No. Q "~ SUBJECT: Interim Action Plan -- Lands Legac~Proc,~ram DEPARTMENT: Environment and Resource PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Conservation ATTACHMENT(S): Proposed Interim Action Plan Report on Parks Bond and Other Parks- Related Projects INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Stancil, 245-2590 Rich Shaw, 245-2591 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider adapting an Interim Action Plan for the Lands Legacy program, far the. period May, 2000 -June, 2001, as discussed on April 4. BACKGROUND: On April 4, the Board adopted the Lands Legacy program as the County's policy and program for acquisition of priority resource lands and parks. As a part of that action, staff was instructed to bring back an Interim Action Plan to cover the time from the present through the end of fiscal year 2000-01. On April 18"' and 25~', the BOCC Open Space Task Force discussed ways to develop the Interim Action Plan, with a focus on beginning a process of land-banking for parks. The draft plan (attached) is focused on locating appropriate sites for parks in Chapel Hill, Bingham and possibly Eno Townships, as well as enhancement of the park at the Northern Human Services Center in Cedar Grove Township. In terms of other priorities, the Interim Action Plan would seek to preserve important lands in the Seven-Mile Creek Bottomlands natural areas (Cheeks Township), a pilot project for an agricultural conservation easement, and acquisition of links in a pilot project woodland trail in Chapel Hill Township. Potential partnerships with other agencies are recommended where possible, and aggressive pursuit of grants and other outside funds to augment County dollars is .also assumed. The Interim Action Plan has a strong emphasis on taking parkland acquisition to the next level in terms of identifying sites using the adopted parkland criteria, the Master Recreation and Parks Plan and the Joint Master Recreation and Parks (JMRP) Work Group report. The proposed component for parklands would acquire sites to address identified needs as well as an equitable geographic dispersion of future park sites throughout the County. The parkland acquisition component of the Interim Action Plan focuses on the vision in the JMRP report, with the County taking the lead in developing a vision for parks at the district and community park level -including the co-location of parks and schools where possible. A timetable of activities, with proposed uses and rough cost estimates is included with suggested priorities from the BOCC Open Space Task Force. Also included is a Report on the Parks Bond and Other Park-Related Projects. This report describes the park projects initiated over the past several years, utilizing bond proceeds and other funds. The combination of these projects and the projects outlined in the Interim Action Plan should lead to an equitable geographic distribution of park sites. Rural areas as well as the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough are all represented. Furthermore, approval of the Interim Action Plan and subsequent acquisitions in targeted areas should provide a sound foundation upon which parks plans (and coordinated CIP's) for future years can build. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed acquisitions in the Interim Action Plan would impact the Parks bond for land acquisition ($2.89 million remaining), as well as the Lands Legacy fund, the Payment-in-Lieu funds. In addition, the School/Park Reserve Fund ($2.4 million) could be used, when appropriate. The Priority List for 2000-2001 includes rough cost estimates for the Action Plan. The total cost of all priorities,. (not including grant funds and contributions from other sources and partner entities) ranges from $2.1 to $5.1 million. One project (the Seven-Mile Creek Nature Preserve) with a cost of $0.5 to $2.1 million is anticipated to be multi-year in nature. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and adopt the Interim Action Plan (adding any needed revisions), and instruct staff to begin inquiries for the acquisition priorities, as outlined in the Plan. Staff will bring information on potential acquisition of priority areas back for BOCC consideration at a future meeting. The Interim Action Plan as written would allow for land-banking efforts in conjunction with municipalities and other partners, with the County taking the lead in identifying and acquiring sites. Lands Legary Interim Action Plan 04/27/pp Lands Legacy -Interim Action Plan For the period May 3, 2004 -tune 30, 2001 Introduction The Lands Legacy program, adopted on April 4, 2000, is activated through an Annual Action Plan process. In future years, this process will begin in August of each year with a stafF-generated draft which wilt be reviewed initially by the Board of Commissioners and then sent to relevant advisory boards for further development of priorities for the taming fiscal year. The revised draft would be distributed to the Board of Commissioners at the December goal-setting retreat, and finalized during the budget/CIP process in the spring of each year. For the initial year of the program, the Board has authorized an Interim Action Plan to be created to guide Lands Legacy resource land purchases from the present through the fiscal year 2000-2001 (which begins on July 1). The Interim Action Plan that follows is consistent with the template adopted as part of the Lands Legacy program, and contains goals for the period May 2000-June 2001, more specific objectives and a priority table with timetable and purpose. The document closes with a performance report for the previous year (which is incomplete in this case, since the program was just adopted). Goals for May 2000 -June 2001 (Note: the following goals implicitly include continuing to aggressively pursue grant funding for many of the County's proposed projects.) 1. Purchase parklands strategically throughout the County, for both active and low-impact recreation, to land-bank for future parks that can provide leisure opportunities for all citizens (and potentially be co-located with future schools). 2. Partner with the towns and other entities such as OWASA in acquiring future park sites, where possible. 3. Work with a willing seller (and a partner entity, if possible) to purchase a "pilot" farmland conservation easement in conjunction with the N.C. Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. 4. Finalize park management and facility development/use plans via an inter-local agreement with Durham County for the Little River Regional Park and Natural Area. 5. Protect sensitive natural areas in the Seven-Mile Creek bottomlands and along New Hope Creek. Lands Legacy Interim Action P/an 04/27/00 6. Accomplish preservation of riparian buffers, historic and archaeological sites, and identified natural areas and wildlife habitat/prime forest through parkland acquisition, when possible 7. Update the 1988 Inventory of Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat. Specific Acquisition objectives A. Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat • Work to preserve (through acquisition and other means) identified Natural Areas in the Seven-Mile Creek area • Work to preserve (through acquisition and other means) properties along the Eno River, adjacent to Duke Forest (Hillsboro Division) or Eno River State Park • Work with the UNC Botanical Garden and Triangle Land Conservancy and others to preserve an identified natural area surrounding the Mason Farm Preserve in Chapel Hill • Continue to monitor the efforts to preserve Pickard's Mountain natural area, with standing offer to assist in preservation if needed • Work in conjunction with Triangle Land Conservancy to pursue opportunities for preservation of additional lands along the New Hope Creek Corridor (as they might arise) B. Farmland Preservation • Work (with the Soil and Water District and/or OWASA) to identify a ,. willing seller of a conservation easement pilot project, preferably in Cane Creek watershed, Preservation of a farm in the watershed that also contains riparian buffers would optimize the purchase for all potential partners and could meet multiple goals. Apply for a grant from the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund by December 1, 2000, for assistance in purchasing the conservation easement. • If practical, finalize arrangements with the Soil and Water District to hold the conservation easement, with specified monitoring and maintenance responsibilities worked out through a Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the District. C. Parklands and Open Space • Using existing plans and the comprehensive resource database, pursue acquisition of park sites in the following areas: Lands Legacy Interim Action Plan 04/27/00 • A district or regional park (with a combination of active and low- impact and natural area preservation) - in Chapel Hill Township, between Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Hillsborough. This park could serve both rural and Town populations. • Expansion of the "Cedar Grove Park" at Northern Human Services Center into a district park (with a combination of active and low-impact recreation) A community park (with active and low-impact recreation) - in Bingham Township A community park (with an active recreation focus) -Eno Township or Schley area (unless needs are met through other park possibilities in north or east Hillsborough) Develop a map and plan for a pilot project trail (paved greenways in urban settings, rustic woodland trails in rural areas) linking Chapel Hill and/or Carrboro Town parks, less-sensitive areas of Duke Forest, future County parks and Eno River State Park. Acquire (through easement, donation or purchase) the missing links for the pilot project trail, as practical. In all park acquisitions, be cognizant of the potential for school site co- Iocation D. Riparian Buffers • With the focus on parklands, natural areas and a farmland easement pilot project, attempt to accomplish preservation of buffers in water supply watersheds through parkland acquisitions during this timeframe. • Develop possible priorities for riparian buffer acquisitions in 2001-2002 E. Cultural and Archaeological Sites • Given the focus on parklands, natural areas and a farmland easement pilot project, attempt to accomplish preservation of cultural and archaeological sites through parkland acquisitions during this timeframe. • Develop possible priorities for cultural and archaeological site acquisitions in FY 2001-2002 g `C O Q •~. B ~. U ~.I N ~L ~' ~a ~ N ~ Q ~ ~ ~ f6 U' d m •v L ~~ c ~ fO ~ y ~ O ~ r"1 Q ~ o ~~ a~ ~ -o ~ ~ ~~ 4) ~~ 10 ~ ~ O ~ G U.I. N N ~ ~ O d ~ ~ 1~ o ~ Q. +~•' ~ o+ O U cn c ~~ c v ~ ~^ 7 O u O O y~ V ]:+ E ~ o ra ~ ~ u °~ ~ ~ ~ t0 .` ,~ ~ ~ o c~o. .~ ~ Q 7 w ~ ~ N ~Vl a.. 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A F ~ ~ ~ m ~ ~ ~ ^ o 0 ~ ~ ,~ y ° .~ . ~ ~ ' $ a. ~ o w .. ~ ° U ~' ~ ~ ~ ~ `~ ~ r° ~ ~ .x ~ ~ v ~ ~ R~°°~ ~~ooy3~-~ ~~~~ ~3~ ~~ o c p c '~ o ~° ~. ~ V V Q c ro ° rn m ro ~ ~ c 1O ~' o v ° C cvi ~ ° a ~ v ~ ~ a ~ o O ~ q 0 0 m p .-1 N ~ C ~ O U ro ; ~ Y ~ ro ~ ~, U 'C{ '(~ ~ .1C ~ ~ ~ m ro d ~ ~ N Q~ L w 0 ads ~ E 4~ ~ N O ~ .v ~o ~ ro ~ C ro L ~ ~ ~a~im ~, ~, ~ ~~ ~ ro 3 ro ~ o ~~~ a~~ $. p o° Lands Legacy Interim Action Plan 04/Z7/00 Other Notes and S ecial In uiries As acquisitions are explored, staff will consider parks and resource lands in the context of long-term trail linkages with parks as listed in Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group Report (and include these in the update to County Master Recreation and Parks Plan). Staff will also consider acquisitions in context of potential school/park co-location, and pursue accordingly. • Other acquisition inquiries received from landowners and potential partners during the year will be compiled and periodically presented for the Board's review and direction on whether to pursue acquisition. At present, there are four additional inquiries that have been made that have not been broached with the Board. A summary of these inquiries will be forthcoming. Same may be in keeping with the goals and objectives listed herein. • Discuss conservation easements with Duke on less-sensitive portions of the forest for future trails. Performance Re.~ort for Previous Year This is the first year of the program. in future years this section will contain more detail about accomplishments during the previous year. A Performance Report will be prepared for the first Annual Action Plan (FY 2001-02) in December 2000. However, there were several opportunities that arose during FY 1999-2000 that occurred and can be listed: Received grant of $143,000 from Clean Water Management Trust Fund toward March 31, 2000 purchase of Duke University property in Upper Eno watershed critical area, adjacent to public water supply. This property is currently being referred to as the McGowan Creek Preserve (pending official board action). • Received grant of up to $377,000 (Durham and Orange) for the proposed l.iitle River Regional Park and Natural Area from Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Submitted application to Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for project a5 well (decision anticipated in early-May, 2000). Evaluated consultant work on Greene Tract, which led to eventual preservation of 60 acres of the property by the Board. Lands Legacy Interim Action P/an 04/27/00 • Brought six properties for potential acquisition to the Board for formal review and direction. Staff developed an evaluation of each site, based on relevant criteria. Tn addition to these activities, there are other projects that have furthered the . goals of Lands Legacy - in particular the provision of parkland and parks facilities. The following report, "Report on the Parks Bond and Other Parks- Related Projects" addresses these activities. Conclusion Although the Lands Legacy program was not adopted until April, the draft program was used to evaluate and pursue two acquisitions of parkland and watershed riparian buffers. A total of $520,000 in grant money was awarded by the Clean Water Management Trust Fund toward these projects, with another application pending before the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The proposed action plan for the coming 14 months focuses on addressing the parkland deficit in the County, developing a pair of pilot projects for farmland preservation and a rustic woodland trail link, and preserving land in what could become a Natural Area Preserve in the Seven-Mile Creek area. The total cost of the proposed Priority List of projects for the upcoming fiscal year ranges from a low of $2.11 million to a high of $5.05 million --depending on the acreage acquired, the cost of the land, location of the land, and the timing of acquisitions. This cost estimate is a rough estimate, and will be refined as more- detail is developed on potential sites. The cost estimate does not reflect grant funds that might be achieved to pursue the projects, nor does it include contributions from prospective partner entities. Staff will continue to aggressively pursue grants to fund these projects, and solicit the involvement of partner agencies, wherever possible and practical. Co- location of school and park facilities will be evaluated in each case. While pursuing the current action plan as adopted by the Board, staff will also begin developing the first regular Annual Action Plan for 2001-2002 in the early-fall, with advisory boards helping draft priorities and initiatives during the fall - to be presented at the Board's December goal-setting retreat. Reuort on the Parks Bond and Other Parks-Related Projects For the period November X997 to the present A. 1997 Parks Bond -Status Report 1. Facilities Development- $3.0 million (Bond included $1 million for Homestead Parkin Chapel Hill, $1 million for Southern Community Park in Chapel Hill, $500,000 for Efland-Cheeks Community Park, $500,000 undesignated) S ent or A ro rioted From Bond To Date $757,690: Efland-Cheeks Community Park (Phase Y) • $105,000: To Town of Chapel Hill for Southern Community Park (lights, bleachers and irrigation for soccer field) • $145,000: To Town of Chapel Hill for Homestead Community Park (utility building for skateboard park and batting cage) • $75,000: To match Town of Carrboro funds far enhancement of fields at Smith Middle School No other facility development bond money has been requested for . authorized projects (remainder of Homestead Park, Southern Park) Total Facilities Bond spent/appropriated to date - $1,082,690 As of current date, $1,917,310 remaining ($167,310 undesignated) 2. Parkland Acquisition - $3.0 milliion $110,774 for Cedar Grove Park (Northern Human Services Center) As of current date, $2,889,226 remaining See Lands. Legacy Interii» Action P/an for Proposed Park/and Banking Program B. the Park-Re to Pro' cts 1. Little River Regional Park and Natural Area (option) - $88,000 to $132,000 total County cost (projected from combination of sources) 2. "McGowan Creek Preserve" (Duke property) - $157,000 total County cost (i/2 from ERC fund and ~/~ from School/Park Reserve accumulated interest) 3. Riverwalk Parkin Hillsborough -agreed to use of County-owned lands along Eno River adjacent to County campus for park area.