AGENDA #4h
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Dedication of a Utility Easement in Pritchard Park
DATE: February 12, 2001
OWASA has requested that the Town dedicate a 30-foot wide utility easement across 330 feet of Town property in Pritchard Park.
OWASA has had recurring water main breaks in the vicinity of Franklin Street and Estes Drive, the most recent occurring in December 2000. Due to the location of isolation valves along Franklin Street, breaks in this area have caused the disruption of water service to restaurants and other businesses in the Chapel Hill Center complex and at the Siena Hotel.
In response, OWASA has installed a temporary water line across a portion of Pritchard Park, at the rear of the Siena Hotel.
In order to correct this situation, OWASA plans to replace and upgrade the existing Franklin Street water main by installing approximately 5,000 feet of new 16-inch water main. This work is under design, with construction anticipated to begin this summer.
During the interim period, OWASA plans to complete two short sections of water main reinforcement to serve the Siena Hotel and Chapel Hill Center. In order to construct one of the reinforcing mains, OWASA is requesting that the Town grant a utility easement across Pritchard Park.
The permanent water line would replace the current aboveground temporary water line installed in 2000. The permanent water line would be buried approximately 3.5 feet in the ground in the center of an easement that would traverse Town property for about 330 feet. The easement would be 30 feet wide, we would expect that only 20 feet of the easement would be cleared.
The proposed location for the water line is north of Estes Drive, east of Library Drive, and immediately west of the Siena Hotel. The area that would be affected was identified in the Report of the Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee as an area that could be used for a future art or sculpture garden. Please see the attached page 17 of the report.
OWASA has agreed to insert language into the deed of easement that would recognize the right of the Town to build park amenities over the easement that do not require foundations. Amenities that could be built would include trails, parking lots, picnic areas, or other features that would not require significant digging or trenching. They would agree to make repairs to Town park improvements in the event that the water line has to be replaced or repaired.
The attached resolution authorizes the Manager to execute a Deed of Easement.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolution authorizing the Manager to dedicate a utility easement to OWASA, such easement being located on a Town property described in Orange County Deed Book 724, Page 231.
1. Map showing water line system in vicinity of Pritchard Park (p. 4).
2. Map showing location of requested easement (p. 5).
3. Page 17 of the Report of the Pritchard Park Conceptual Plan Committee (p. 6).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING DEDICATION TO OWASA OF A UTILITY EASEMENT LOCATED IN THE TOWN’S PRITCHARD PARK, WHICH IS DESCRIBED IN ORANGE COUNTY DEED BOOK 724, PAGE 231 (2001-02-12/R-7))
WHEREAS, OWASA’S water line in Franklin Street has experienced several breaks; and
WHEREAS, the proposed easement would allow OWASA to install a permanent water line that would serve as a alternative water line in the event of a break in the main line; and
WHEREAS, the property is also the proposed location of future park improvements;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manager is authorized to transfer to OWASA a sewer easement approximately 330 feet in length by 30 feet wide located on Town land described in Orange County Deed Book 724, Page 231.
This is 12th day of February 2001.