AGENDA #4f

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

FROM:            Kathryn Spatz, Parks and Recreation Director

SUBJECT:       Potential to Use Modular Building for Pottery Program

DATE:             April 2, 2003

This memorandum is in response to a Council member’s question concerning the potential use of modular building space adjacent to the Community Center for pottery and other arts and crafts programs.

Under provisions of the recently adopted Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), most of the Town’s parks, including Community Center Park, that do not currently have an existing Special Use Permit (SUP) are considered non-conforming. Any modification to the park, including the installation of a modular unit, would require an SUP application.

In addition, FEMA is currently conducting a comprehensive study of rivers and streams in the area. We anticipate that a result of this study may be the expansion of the existing 100 year flood plain. It is possible that much, if not all, of the area in question will be added to the designated flood plain.

With regard to the general use of modular units, compatible square footage is limited within the design of modular unit to house the pottery program as it now exists. The standard modular unit size is 28’ X 76’ or 2,128 square feet. For a pottery program to function, we would need to include specially ventilated space for a kiln room (12’ X 24’) at a minimum. We believe restroom space should be included in the unit as well.

The minimum footprint required for installation of a 28’ x 76’ unit is a level area of 40’ x 110’.

With regard to financial costs, the purchase price of a new 28’ x 76’ modular unit is approximately $70,000. Used units are available for somewhat less, beginning about 45,000. Modular units can also be leased. A minimum lease of 24 months for the 28’ x 76’ modular unit is approximately $1,200 per month. Alternative lease options are available with existing rental units for roughly half the lease of a new modular unit.   However, additional costs will be necessary to customize an existing unit to fit specific needs. Kiln space would require significant customization due to ventilation concerns. 

The costs to install a modular unit average $15,000. This figure does not include site work or costs associated with the installation of electric, plumbing, telephone, and permits or landscaping and aesthetics.