MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor and Town Council

FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT: Acceptance and Referral of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee’s Report

DATE: January 14, 2002

The attached resolution would thank the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee for their work and accept their Report of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee. The resolution would also refer the report to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Community Design Commission, Greenways Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Transportation Board, and the Town Manager for comments and recommendations. In addition, copies would be provided to the Orange County Commissioners and their staff.

BACKGROUND

The Town Council formed the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee in July 2000. The Committee representatives include:

· Two members of the Parks and Recreation Commission

· One member of the Greenways Commission

· One designee of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

· One designee of the Orange County Board of Commissioners

· One designee of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen

· Three representatives of neighboring residential communities

· Four citizens at-large

The Committee met regularly from March through November 2001. Public forums were held at Mary Scroggs School on September 6 and October 9. More than 50 persons were in attendance at both meetings.

DISCUSSION

The attached Report of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee is the culmination of nine months of work by the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee and citizens. We recommend the following review schedule.

January 2002

· Referral of the draft plan to boards, commissions, and staff for comments

· Provision of copies to County Commissioners and staff

February 2002

· Review of conceptual plan by Town boards, commissions, and staff

· Discussions through Intergovernmental Parks Work Group to resolve process for involvement by the Board of Orange County Commissioners

March 2002

· Comments from Boards and Commissioners presented to the Town Council.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee Recommendation: The Committee met on November 7, 2001, and voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend that the Council adopt the Report. The Committee also intends to review the recommendations of other Boards and Commissions prior to final consideration by the Council. At that time they may modify their recommendations if other boards present new information and/or ideas that they believe would enhance the plan. Please see the attached copy of the Committee’s recommendations.

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolution thanking the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee for their work and accepting their Report of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee. The resolution would also refer the report to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Community Design Commission, Greenways Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Transportation Board, and the Manager for comments and recommendations. In addition, the resolution would authorize the Manager to provide copies to the Orange County Commissioners and staff.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Recommendation of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee (p. 4).

2. Report of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee (begin new page 1.

A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND REFERRING THE REPORT OF THE SOUTHERN COMMUNITY PARK CONCEPTUAL PLAN COMMITTEE AND EXPRESSING THANKS TO THE COMMITTEE (2001-01-14/R-11)

WHEREAS, the Council created the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee to make recommendations concerning the potential development of a park on Town property; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee has completed and presented its report;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council accepts the Report of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee and refers the Report to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, Community Design Commission, Greenways Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Transportation Board, and the Manager for comments and recommendations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Manager is authorized to make copies of the Report available to the Orange County Commissioners and staff.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council expresses its gratitude to Elizabeth Branch, H. Coleman Day, Jim Earnhardt, Scott Madry, Douglas Ostanek, Michael Ullman and Runyon Woods, members of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Committee for their hard work and service to the Chapel Hill community.

This the 14^th day of January, 2002.