AGENDA #4m
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Proposed Easements for the Booker Creek Linear Park
DATE: November 11, 2002
The attached resolution would accept easements required for the Booker Creek Linear Park from the Little & Cloniger Partnership, owner of the Staples property. Please see the attached map.
On October 27, 1997, the Council adopted a resolution endorsing the concept of building a park and trail along the portion of Booker Creek between Franklin Street and Fordham Boulevard and directing the Manager to seek funding for the project.
On February 9, 1998, the Council authorized the Manager to develop a conceptual plan for the project. The Council also established a Booker Creek Linear Park Advisory Committee.
On July 6, 1998, the Council approved a Special Use Permit for the Staples property that included provisions for a paved greenway trail to be built from Franklin Street to the extreme southeast corner of the property, as well as a direct pedestrian connection to the Eastgate Shopping Center.
On August 23, 1999, the Council adopted the Booker Creek Linear Park Advisory Committee’s Report to the Town Council.
On February 12, 2001, the Council authorized the Manager to execute an agreement with NCDOT accepting a grant of $349,707 with $87,427 in local matching funds for the construction of the Booker Creek Linear Park.
On June 10, 2002, the Council authorized the Manager to make necessary changes to the Booker Creek Linear Park project to reflect changes to the site since the adoption of the plan and new flood study information.
Description: The Booker Creek Linear Park will include restoration of a pond that, until recently, was located on the site. The pond was removed as part of a drainage improvement project performed by the owners of the Eastgate Shopping Center. The restored pond will be located on both the Staples and Eastgate Shopping Center properties. A permanent 4,078 square foot easement would allow the Town to restore and maintain the portion of the pond that will be located on the Staples property.
The project also includes a realignment of the southern end of the existing trail on the Staples property. The realignment is necessary to allow the trail to continue onto the neighboring Village Plaza property at the correct angle. A temporary 2,500 square foot access and construction easement would allow the Town to perform this work. This easement would end after construction of the trail.
Project Status: We are currently working on the construction details of the project including details for the pedestrian/bicycle bridge over Booker Creek near Elliott Road. We expect plans to be finished in early 2003. We still need easements from the owners of the Plaza and Eastgate Shopping Centers. We have been in discussions with representatives of these businesses concerning the needed easements and are optimistic that they will be forthcoming.
If the remaining easements can be acquired and no substantial design problems arise we should be able to bid the project in the spring of 2003.
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolution accepting temporary and permanent easements from the Little & Cloniger Partnership, which is required for the Booker Creek Linear Park project.
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS FROM THE LITTLE & CLONIGER PARTNERSHIP FOR THE BOOKER CREEK LINEAR PARK PROJECT (2002-11-11/R-8)
WHEREAS, on August 23, 1999, the Council adopted the Booker Creek Linear Park Advisory Committee’s Report to the Town Council; and
WHEREAS, the Council accepted a grant for $349,707 from NCDOT with $87,427 in local matching funds for the construction of the Booker Creek Linear Park; and
WHEREAS, on June 10, 2002, the Council authorized the Manager to make necessary changes to the Booker Creek Linear Park project to reflect changes to the site since the adoption of the plan and new flood study information; and
WHEREAS, easements from the Little & Cloniger Partnership are required in order to build the Booker Creek Linear Park;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council accepts a permanent 4,078 square foot access and maintenance easement and a temporary 2,500 square foot access and construction easement from the Little & Cloniger Partnership for construction of the Booker Creek Linear Park project.
This the 11th day of November, 2002.