AGENDA #4b
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to a Petition Requesting that the Town Use Town-Owned Property in the Pine Knolls Neighborhood for Recreation Purposes
DATE: June 14, 2004
This memorandum responds to a March 22, 2004, petition from Daneeda J. Hicks requesting that the Town use two parcels of Town property adjacent to the Pine Knolls Community Center for recreation purposes.
The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to proceed with a process to determine a suitable program for use of the property adjacent to the Pine Knolls Community Center and report back to the Council with recommendations.
In 1993 the Town acquired two lots on Johnson Street adjacent to the Pine Knolls Community Center in the Pine Knolls neighborhood. The lots have a total of 15,000 square feet and are located north of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools’ property. Please see the attached map.
The petitioner stated that there had been three community meetings at which the idea of creating a recreation area had been discussed. She noted that at those meetings the participants had made several suggestions for use of the Town property including:
We believe that it would make sense to use the Town parcels for the purpose of providing additional recreational opportunities for the Pine Knolls neighborhood. In addition, improvements to these lots would be consistent with the Town’s current neighborhood revitalization efforts. However, the size and physical constraints of the Town-owned parcels may make some potential uses impossible or impractical. Therefore, we recommend initiation of a formal process that would include:
Potential Funding Sources: Once a project has been selected, Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization funds could be used to fund this request. On April 26, 2004, the Council approved a 2004-2005 Community Development plan that included $121,700 for neighborhood revitalization activities in the Northside, Pine Knolls, and public housing neighborhoods. Neighborhood Revitalization Activities must serve households earning less than 80% of the HUD published area median income. Eligible activities include: second mortgage assistance; property acquisition and/or renovation; code enforcement; demolition; public improvements such as installation of sidewalks, curb and gutter improvements or parks and recreation facilities; or community service activities. The potential uses mentioned above would be eligible for Community Development Neighborhood Revitalization funds. If the Council chooses to use 2004-2005 Community Development funds for this request, funds would be available in mid-July.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Manager to proceed with a process to determine a suitable program for use of the property adjacent to the Pine Knolls Community Center and report back to the Council with recommendations.
ATTACHMENT
1. Map of Pine Knolls Lots and Community Center (p. 4).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO PROCEED WITH A PROCESS TO DETERMINE A SUITABLE PROGRAM FOR USE OF THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE PINE KNOLLS COMMUNITY CENTER (2004-06-14/R-5)
WHEREAS, in 1993 the Town acquired two lots in the Pine Knolls neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, on March 22, 2004, Daneeda Hicks petitioned the Council requesting that the Town convert parcels of Town property adjacent to the Pine Knolls Community Center into a recreation area and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Manager to proceed with a process to determine a suitable program for use of the property adjacent to the Pine Knolls Community Center and report back to the Council with recommendations.
.
This the 14th day of June, 2004.