Outlined below
are the working assumptions for the process of revising the Greenway
Master Plan. Planning process. These assumptions will frame the
general direction, focus of the study, and clarify what is to be accomplished
through this planning effort. The manner in which the Plan will be developed
and presented will reflect the basic assumptions underlying the study.
1. The Greenways Master Planning process is part of a continuing, multi-faceted effort to establish a long-range planning strategy and development policy for the future growth of the Town.
The Greenway Master Plan will focus on the physical planning, implementation goals and operational policies of the greenway system. The Plan’s recommendations are to be supportive and consistent with the goals, objectives and policies established within the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
2. The Greenway Master Planning process is an opportunity for the Greenways Commission to fulfill its specific charge of establishing a Town-wide system of greenway open spaces and greenway trails.
The Greenway Master Plan will exhibit the Town’s commitment to continually upgrade and expand the greenway system. The Plan will provide a broad-based framework within which appropriate decisions can be made about the future growth of the greenway system and to encourage positive coordination with other Town programs such as parks and recreation development, sidewalk and bicycle plans, and open space preservation.
3. The process is an opportunity to strengthen important relationships and community perceptions.
The Master Plan will foster public input, awareness and participation in the planning process. The planning process will assimilate concerns and ideas from a variety of diverse constituencies, interests, municipalities and other institutions.
The findings and recommendations set forth in this document are to reflect and remain consistent with this statement of goals. The Goals of the Master Plan revision process will serve as criteria against which the progress and direction of the study may be tested at key points in the planning process.
1. Create a Plan that will provide a comprehensive direction for the physical development of the greenway system that is both strategic and action-based.
Create a guide for a continuing program of land acquisition, trail development and improvement, and open space preservation. Provide a framework within which future projects can be conceived and remain responsive to changing needs.
Prepare a planning foundation from which more detailed analysis and design of individual greenways and trails may be generated. Provide recommendations for immediate and near-term physical improvements that may be realized within realistic and prudent financial parameters.
2. Create a Plan that balances a sense of stewardship for the Town’s natural resources and scenic qualities with the need for public use, recreation and alternative transportation.
Provide policy and planning guidelines which will maintain open space systems and natural areas and expand their potential use and aesthetic quality.
3. Provide for the needs of current and potential greenway trail users.
Create a guide for greenway trail implementation and greenway corridor preservation that appeals to a broad range of passive recreational pursuits and offers a variety of experience. Determine standards for greenways development, trails functions and amenities.
4. Establish strong operational policies.
Provide security policies to help create a safe, enjoyable system for the public that is also respectful of the privacy of adjacent property owners. Outline a maintenance policy to assure the protection of the Town’s investment in greenways and to assure the upgrade of the facilities over time.
5. Create a Plan that may serve as a vehicle for acquiring grants and other funding opportunities.
A sound master plan is often required to be eligible to receive certain grants.
6. Create a Plan that may serve as a promotional tool.
Provide a document that will raise awareness of greenway and open space issues and encourage broad community-based support for greenways.
The original greenways planning document was the 1985 Greenways Task Force Report. This document, which was authored by a citizen task force, laid out the basic framework of a greenways program for Chapel Hill and recommended the formation of a Greenways Commission.
As an update to
the 1985 Task Force Report the 1998 Chapel Hill Greenways Comprehensive
Master Plan, this Master Plan has sought reaffirmation of reaffirmed
the original goals of the greenways program. In 1989, William Webster, while a
Masters of Public Administration student at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, completed an extensive identification of greenway corridors
throughout Chapel Hill. Specific trail segments were identified and rated
according to recommended levels of development. Corridors were evaluated in
terms of their natural features, environmental sensitivity and site conditions
favorable for trail development. The 1998 Chapel Hill Greenways
Comprehensive Master Plan, provides provided an expanded
study of these greenway corridors, refines refined the trail
classification system and offers offered updated findings. The
recommendations in this report are not simply recapitulations of earlier
planning efforts. Rather, they are the result of detailed studies, on-site
inspections, map reviews, consultation with area professionals and Town staff.
Each corridor has been walked to assess its physical and visual character, to
evaluate its environmental condition, aesthetic quality, and the feasibility
and potential for trail development.
Prior to preparing the 2005 Report the Greenways Commission held five public forums. Each forum was targeted to review the greenways in certain areas of Town. Prior to each forum the staff mailed notice to everyone living within the targeted areas. Most of these mailings ranged from 800 to 1,200 individual pieces. Approximately 60 citizens attended the meetings and provided input. In addition, numerous telephone and e-mail communications were received from citizens who desired to comment but could not attend the meetings. The Commission used the information gathered to develop recommendations for the first draft.
The 2005 Report continues the tradition of building on the work of the past. The 2005 Report contains the major goals and themes of both past documents while addressing specific changes that have occurred since the publication of the 1998 Report. Much of the 1998 Report is left intact or little changed. Some sections have been heavily revised to respond to changes. In summary the major changes made to the 2005 document relate to the fast moving and changing financial and physical conditions of the Town and its neighboring jurisdictions.
The Master Planning process has followed a logical sequence to ensure that the project’s decision-making has been consistent with the stated goals for the Master Plan. The process was organized to forge a consensus plan which is technically workable and responds to the full range of community interests.
The Greenways Commission
actively participated throughout the entire process. Participation by citizens
was established as an integral part of this planning process. Public information
forums and working sessions were conducted to solicit general input and
identify issues of concern from the community-at-large.
It has been a planning process that attempted to broaden the sense of community ownership of the Town’s open space and greenways. The Greenways Commission has sought to solicit and assimilate views and input from a variety of public perspectives. The following agencies, municipalities, institutions and public interest groups were made part of the review process of this Plan and the formulation of recommendations during its draft stages:
·
Chapel Hill Advisory Boards and Commissions:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission,
Planning Board, and Transportation Board.
·
Chapel Hill Town Staff:
Town Manager’s Office, Long Range Planning, Current Development Planning,
Transportation, Engineering, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation.
·
Neighboring
governmental bodies:
Orange County, City of Durham, Durham County, and Town of Carrboro.
·
Agencies and institutions:
Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), University of North Carolina
Department of Facilities Planning and Design, and North Carolina Botanical Garden.
·
Conservation groups:
Triangle Rails to Trails, Triangle Greenways Council, New Hope Creek Corridor
Committee, Sierra Club, and Triangle Land Conservancy.
It is hoped that the planning methodology used for this update to the Chapel Hill Greenways Comprehensive Master Plan has allowed a balance to be achieved between technical feasibility, input from concerned neighbors and broader community goals.