ATTACHMENT 8
Excerpt of June 21, 2004 Town Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Foy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Council members present were Sally Greene, Ed Harrison, Cam Hill, Mark Kleinschmidt, Bill Strom, Dorothy Verkerk, Jim Ward, and Edith Wiggins.
Staff members present were Town Manager Cal Horton, Deputy Town Manager Florentine Miller, Assistant Town Manager Bruce Heflin, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, Town Information Officer Catherine Lazorko, Principal Planner Gene Poveromo, Traffic Engineer Kumar Neppalli, Planning Director Roger Waldon, Senior Planner Kay Pearlstein, Parks and Recreation Director Kathryn Spatz, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Bill Webster and Acting Town Clerk Sandy Cook.
Item 5 - Concept Plan Review:
Southern Community Park
Mr. Poveromo summarized the concept plan for a community park on a 70-acre site along the west side of Highway 15-501 south of Southern Village. Brian Starkey, of OBS Landscape Architects, reviewed the process for developing the plan, explaining that they had modified it by reorienting the athletic fields and relocating the dog park. He said that about half of the site would retain its natural character and that they had discussed having the Town assume control of the portion of Dogwood Acres Drive that passes through it. Town control of that road would enable them to lower the speed limit and introduce pedestrian crossings, he explained. Mr. Starkey said that the greenway trail would be extended all the way through to the southern tip of the park. A park and ride lot is just north of the site and they would build a supplemental lot, he said.
Wave Road resident Sidney R. Smith asked that there be an adequate buffer between the park and the residential areas. He noted he was speaking for others on Wave Road as well as some on Dogwood Acres Drive. Mr. Smith stated that he would be perfectly happy with the concept if that assurance was included.
Council Member Ward verified that there would be a sidewalk along the southern side of Dogwood Acres Drive and two pedestrian crossings. He asked Mr. Starkey to look into whether sidewalks were needed on both sides. Council Member Ward expressed concern about how the programming for the ball field, dog park, and meadow on the south side of Dogwood Acres Drive would compare with the proposed number of parking spaces. Mr. Starkey explained that parking had been increased to accommodate moving the dog park. Council Member Ward said that 15 spaces for the youth baseball field would not address the needs of those who attend a game.
Council Member Ward wondered if the Committee had discussed the possibility that the Scroggs playing field might end up being the football stadium for the third high school. Would that impact Town plans for the Southern Community Park, he asked. Mr. Starkey stated that the schedule of this project would closely coincide with that for the Aquatics Center. But the phasing still needed to be determined, he said, noting that there were not enough funds to build the entire park. Phase 1 would be determined during the next month, he said.
Council Member Verkerk reiterated Council Member Ward's request for sidewalks on both sides of Dogwood Acres Drive.
Council Member Harrison verified that the Town planned to take over Dogwood Acres Drive and institute traffic calming devices there. Council Member Harrison proposed that traffic calming would be more important than having sidewalks on both sides of the road if funds are limited.
Mayor Foy clarified that the Town would only take over only the portion of Dogwood Acres Drive that runs through the park.
COUNCIL MEMBER WARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VERKERK, TO ADOPT R-4. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION TRANSMITTING COUNCIL COMMENTS ON A CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE SOUTHERN COMMUNITY PARK (2004-06-21/R-4)
WHEREAS, a Concept Plan has been submitted for review by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, for the Southern Community Park; and
WHEREAS, the Council has heard presentations for the applicant, and citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Council has discussed the proposal, with Council members offering reactions and suggestions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council transmits comments to the applicant regarding this proposal, as expressed by Council members during discussions on June 21, 2004, and reflected in minutes of that meeting.
This the 21st day of June, 2004.
.