|
|
|
| ATTENDANCE: Tom Hemrick, Chair;
Lisa Duke; Jamie France; Bob Hickey; Leta Huntsinger; Toby Kennedy; Kay
Struffolino; Dave Upton; Melissa White; Doug Meardon, Youth Member; Marla
Dorrel, Council Liaison
STAFF: Mary Henderson; Lyman Collins; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Dwayne Jones; Doug McRainey; Judy Newsome; Gail Taylor ABSENT: GUESTS: Robert Bush; Peter Eckle; Mark Rose; Kim Kuebler |
|
| I | Call to Order - Chair Tom Hemrick called the meeting to order. |
| II | Minutes - Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the November 2003 minutes with corrections duly noted. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. |
| III | Public Speaks Out Platform Tennis aka Paddle Tennis - Peter Eckle requested that staff and board members give consideration to offering a Platform Tennis program. Mr. Eckle noted that all ages can play and can quickly develop a skill level. Fall/winter is the primary season for this activity and it requires 2 courts (30x60'). The major challenge for newcomers is finding a place to play. The closest facilities are located at Duke and in Winston-Salem. Municipal Golf Course - Kim Kuebler, urged by his Cary Park neighbors, addressed the board in support of a municipal golf course. PRCR Advisory Board chair Tom Hemrick noted that he had received 30 e-mails from Cary Park residents supporting a golf course in the Cary Park area. Mary Henderson pointed out that Phase I of the Golf Course Feasibility Study indicated that Cary could support a municipal golf course. Phase II of the study focused on a location for the course and noted that the Hawes Tract is a suitable area for consideration. Staff is working on a location recommendation to bring to Town Council. Mr. Kuebler indicated he would be happy to participate in a citizen planning group, if needed. |
| IV | Special Presentation |
| V | Land Dedications - Doug McRainey |
| Ferrell-Hatcher Rezoning - This project
is located south of Morrisville Carpenter Road and west of the Carpenter
Village PUD and Louis Stephens Road extension. This project consists
of 80 units with a required dedication of 2.29 acres. The PRCR Master Plan
recommends a greenway linking Louis Stevens to the Historic
Carpenter District. ACTION: Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff's recommendation: approval of payment-in-lieu in place of parkland dedication for the value of 2.29 acres; approval of a greenway to be located at time of subdivision approval (to be brought back to the PRCR Advisory Board at that time); approval of construction of a multi-use trail along Louis Stevens Drive. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. Pulte-Highhouse Rezoning - This project is located at the
north side of High House Road and consists of 80 units with a required
dedication of 2.29 acres. The PRCR Master Plan includes no
recommendation for parks or greenways in this area. Toby
Kennedy asked about an alternative route for Black Creek Greenway to gain
flexibility for easements and access road to the recreation area. It
was noted that no traffic study was required. |
|
| VI | Reports |
| A. Committee Reports | |
| Athletic Committee - Bob Hickey Bob reported that members worked at the recent basketball tryouts with a full-house at the Bond Park Community Center. Additionally, members acted on requests for players to move up or down in their respective leagues. |
|
| Cultural Arts Committee- Toby Kennedy Toby noted that members discussed the Master Plan prioritizing CAC projects as follows: design of Cary Elementary, Ph I; improvements to Page-Walker Arts and History Center; Sertoma Amphitheatre improvements; flat floor space at North Cary Park community center. Toby announced that the next CAC meeting would hopefully take place at Cary Elementary and that an email would be sent to board members advising them of the point of access to the building. |
|
| Greenway Committee - Let Huntsinger Leta reported that the committee discussed several development projects with greenway elements. As a result of the Forest Oaks development, the committee felt guidelines were needed for reviewing projects that impact the American Tobacco Trial. The committee agreed that crossings should be minimized and that a 100-foot buffer should be maintained. Recommendations relative to Forest Oaks include: 100-foot buffer along the ATT; SF-9 property on the western edge of ATT should convert to parkland or open space. Access to this parcel should be provided under the ATT at existing bridge. Greenway connection to Yates Store Road should be provided at Cary Glen Boulevard. Committee members recommended prioritizing projects for budget purposes as follows: Black Creek; White Oak Creek; Higgins/Lake Pine; Speight Branch; Batchelor Branch, Trailhead/sign plan. Board members voiced concerns about trail head signage; marked crosswalk at Dynasty at Black Creek Greenway; traffic calming and parking at Cary Park Greenway. |
|
| Teen Advisory Committee- Kay Struffolino Kay provided members with a handout of recent activities. It was noted that Dwayne updated members on the progress of the town web site with regard to information for teen related events and activities. Members also continued with plans for the upcoming Teen Forum. Kay will make a formal report to this board in March. |
|
| Senior Center - Kay Struffolino, Liaison Kay provided members with a handout of recent activities. The largest crowd to date (155) attended the Veteran's Day luncheon. The numbers are in for the 2003 Volunteer Sewing Group for a total of 1300 items made and donated to area hospitals, nursing homes and other organizations. Additionally, the Warm Up America knitting and crochet group made and donated over 60 afghans to the Women's Center and to a local nursing home. |
|
| Teen Council - Doug Meardon, President Doug reported the Teen Council's involvement with recent programs, Movie Night Out, Mad Dash Babysitting (20 participants); Samaritan Purse. Upcoming events for December include Santa's Workshop and visitation to a nursing home on the 13th. A holiday party is planned in lieu of their regular monthly meeting. |
|
| B. Public Meeting Update Catherine Widgery, Town Hall Campus Gateway Public Art Designer (11/19/03) - Lyman Collins reported an excellent meeting with 40 people in attendance. Participants in the discussions were impressed with Catherine's design approach in that she was looking for an image that would reflect Cary as a place where energy goes out; yet is welcoming and embracing. Mary Henderson encouraged members to attend future meetings. Lyman passed out copies of the design image. The presentation will be available on the website. White Oak Creek Greenway/MacArthur Park Neighborhood Meeting (11/18/03) - Doug McRainey reported that 18 attended this meeting that focused on a mile and a quarter section of greenway under construction between Bond Park and Davis Drive. This segment effects 18 landowners. Doug noted it was a positive meeting, lots of exchange with landowners in support of the greenway. One landowner did voice his opposition to the greenway. |
|
| C. Administration Aquatics Update - Mary Henderson advised board members that the Town was not at a point to make a recommendation to Council. Ms. Henderson noted that consultant Scott Hunsaker had met a couple of times with both groups, Triangle Aquatics Center and Capital Sports Management. Triangle Sports Center (TAC) has purchased 21.5 acres adjacent to the Cary mall and is ready to move forward. They would like to partner with the Town early in 2004. TAC's interest is predominately competitive swimming. Capital Sports Management (CSM) is looking at 25 acres in Weston currently owned by Highwood Properties. They are looking at getting the Town ownership (no details at this point). CSM sees this venue as a destination point with fitness and ice amenities in addition to swimming. Funding sources are being studied to aid in the development, i.e. hotel/motel tax; naming rights, etc. Ms. Henderson asked for comments from board members. Comments include: 1) do not rush to commit; make certain the aquatic center meets the recreation and leisure needs of Cary (including parking); 2) noted four stated uses, competitive, fitness, leisure and recreation, therapeutic. Need three different bodies of water to accommodate these four user groups. 3) make certain the needs of seniors and health recreation are not overlooked. Members discussed pros and cons of working with both groups. Ms. Henderson noted she would report back to this board on the direction of this project. Council Member Dorrel noted her preference would be to move the decision on the aquatics center to January/February 2004. The additional time would allow this board to address issues more thoroughly and that new Council members take office at the December meeting as well. Capital Budget Priorities - Mary Henderson Ms. Henderson advised board members that this year and next year will be difficult budget years for the town, noting revenues have not grown with the new facilities currently online. Ms. Henderson requested the board's input on development priorities presuming the PRCR Facilities Master Plan is approved. Board members were given the following categories in which to prioritize PRCR projects for development: Community Park Property; Neighborhood Park Property; Park Types; Greenways; Cultural Arts Center; Cultural Arts Facilities; Renovations/Upgrades. A listing of the prioritization will be provided with the final minutes. |
|
| D. Recreation Programs - Dwayne
Jones Dwayne referred to the Program Update. |
|
| E. Cultural Resources - Lyman
Collins Lyman reminded members of two upcoming events: Holiday Tree Lighting and Page-Walker Open House on Sunday, December 7th @6 p.m. on Town Hall Campus and the 9th Annual Cary Kwanzaa on Saturday, December 27, 1-6 p.m. at the Herb Young Community Center. Lyman announced that the Amphitheatre at Regency Park has been nominated as one of the best small outdoor venues in the country by Pollstar magazine. Other nominees include Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA.; Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA; Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA and Wolf Trap Filene Center, Vienna, VA. The winner will be announced in February. Lyman reported a new staff member in PRCR. Heidi Stump, Performing Arts Coordinator joined the Cultural Arts staff in November. |
|
| F. Athletic Programs - William
Davis William referred to the Program Update. |
|
| VII | Old Business Volunteer Awards Committee Update - Bob Hickey Bob reported that he, Judy Newsome, Jeff Boucher and Carol Allen met and reformatted the nomination form. Nomination forms are due January 9th. This committee will meet January 21, 2004. The banquet is scheduled for February 24, 2004. |
| VIII | New Business Winter/Spring Program Brochures - Members were provided with copies of the 2004 Winter/Spring Program Brochure. |
| IX | Adjourn |