ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AGENDA #4e
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Parkside II Annexation: Response to Citizen Comments
DATE: April 11, 2003
An e-mail correspondence from Beth Waldron was received on April 7, 2003, with questions related to street lighting, public access to Homestead Park, and storm drain inlets (see Attachment 2 of Agenda #4e). We have restated the questions below, and responded to each.
Street Lighting: Who is responsible for the installation of street lights in the Parkside II area?
The Parkside II developer is required to install the street lights in the development in accordance with Town standards and the approved street lighting plan, or pay for upfront costs for installation and maintenance. The streets within the Parkside II development have not been accepted by the Town for maintenance, and are currently bonded for required improvements until such time that they are accepted for maintenance. The Public Works Department is in the process of reviewing pending street related issues (including street lighting) with the developer.
Public Access to Homestead Park: In terms of public access to Homestead Park, what does the development plan call for, and who is responsible for the improvements?
The resolution (2000-07-05/R-9a) approving the preliminary plat application for the Parkside II subdivision contained the following two stipulations related to public access to Homestead Park:
14. Access Easement to Homestead Park: That a 20-foot wide pedestrian access easement be provided between Christine Court and Homestead Park. That an access easement (Tract “D” Open Space) shall be recorded, concurrently with the final plat, at the Orange County Register of Deeds and shall grant an easement in perpetuity to the Town of Chapel Hill. That the recorded easement shall include wording that guarantees public pedestrian, non-motorized vehicle, and motorized wheel chair access. That the easement guarantee the Town of Chapel Hill’s right to construct and maintain a trail, allow for access of emergency vehicles, signage, removal of dangerous or diseased vegetation, or any other function necessary to guarantee public safety.
15. Ownership of Pedestrian Access Area: That the pedestrian access to Homestead Park not be part of individual lots but are part of land owned and controlled by the Homeowners’ Association. That a deed granting ownership of the pedestrian access area to the Homeowners’ Association shall be recorded, concurrently with the final plat, at the Orange County Register of Deeds.
These stipulations note that the developer was required to provide an access easement to the park that guarantees the Town’s right to construct and maintain the trail improvements. The pedestrian access area is to be owned by the Homeowners’ Association. The Town intends to construct the trail improvements when funds are available.
Storm Drain Inlets: Can the existing storm drain inlet on Caitlin Court be made safer for children?
The storm drain inlet on Caitlin Court meets Town standards. The height of the opening measures five inches, and the Town standard allows up to six inches. Openings less than five inches could interfere with inlet performance, causing debris collection and obstruction of drain openings.