TOWN Of  CARY

Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board

2005  Meeting Minutes

Date:   April 4, 2005 - 5:15 PM

Herb Young Community Center

101 Wilkinson Avenue

Cary , NC   27513

www.townofcary.org

Attendance:   Jeff Boucher; Susan Davenport; Jamie France; Tom Hemrick; Tullie Johnson; Toby Kennedy; Steve Smutko; Kay Struffolino; Melissa White; Laura Robertson, Youth Member

Absent:  Leta Huntsinger; Marla Dorrel, Council Liaison; Selby Lo

Staff:  Mary Henderson; Judy Newsome; Bruce Crocker; William Davis; Doug McRainey; Dwayne Jones, Lyman Collins; Gail Taylor   

Guests: 
Ben Shivar; Chuck Smith; David Finger; Randy Robinson; Mike Curran; Wendy Lemus 


*********************************************************************************

I.          Call to Order – Tom Hemrick, Chair

II.         Minutes March 7, 2005
ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to approve the March minutes as written.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III.        Public Speaks Out - None

IV.         Special Presentation
’05 Clean Water Bond Referendum
Assistant Town Manager Ben Shivar attended the meeting and gave a PowerPoint presentation on the upcoming ’05 Clean Water Bond Referendum on May 3rd which includes:

1)  Clean Water Bonds for Wastewater Facilities - $110 million
Purpose
: To fund Cary ’s share of costs for regional wastewater treatment facilities that must be built by 2011 to meet a state regulatory requirement and to meet Cary ’s wastewater capacity needs through 2020.

2) Clean Water Bonds for Open Space - $10 million
Purpose
: To continue Cary ’s commitment for preservation as outlined in the Town’s Open Space and Historic Resources Plan.

Mr. Shivar provided Fact Sheets on the referendum and advised board members that law prohibits town resources from lobbying for town issues but the Town’s goal was to provide the public with the best possible information.  Board members were asked to educate and encourage citizen voting.

Fees and Charges – Dwayne Jones & Bruce Crocker
Staff continues to develop a new fees & charges policy. PRCR Director Mary Henderson noted that as a directive from Council; staff has been working on this study for several months.  Staff will come back next month with more definitive information and it might be necessary to hold a meeting solely to review the proposed Fees and Charges Policy prior to Council’s review.

Bruce Crocker provided an updated draft ( 4/4/05 ) of the Program Satisfaction Guarantee Policy and a draft Fees and Charges Policy for review and comment.

Additionally, Dwayne Jones, in a PowerPoint presentation (attached), gave a comprehensive overview of the draft recommendations for the study.

Land Dedication Overview – Doug McRainey
Parks Planning Manager Doug McRainey, in a PowerPoint presentation (attached), gave an overview of the land dedication process.  Doug explained that when land is subdivided for residential or non-residential use, the developer is required to dedicate a portion of land or pay a fee in lieu for public parks and/or greenway development, to serve the recreational needs of the residents of the subdivision or development.   The dedication consists of two categories:  parks and greenways.

PRCR Director Mary Henderson noted that staff uses the Master Plan as the guiding force when reviewing land dedications in determining when the Town asks for land and  when the Town asks for payment-in-lieu.

PRCR Board member Steve Smutko asked about the order of the Town’s review process and asked that any rezoning, affecting parks/greenways first come before this board for review prior to going to the Planning and Zoning Board.  PRCR Director Mary Henderson commented this would be a Council decision regarding what recommendations they want from this committee.  The question was raised about other scenarios (i.e. Black Creek Greenway Realignment) that would be appropriate to come before this board.
ACTION:  Steve Smutko made a motion that the PRCR Advisory Board weigh in on decisions that would affect existing PRCR parks, greenways and cultural resources if there is an effect from rezoning or land development issues prior to the submittal going to the Planning and Zoning Board.  Toby Kennedy seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

V.  Land Dedication Review
Copperleaf 04-REZ-30
– Chuck- Smith, Withers & Ravenel , PA  
Copperleaf is a 137.39 acre planned community that combines a mix of very low density residential uses with common open space.  The project is located south of
Green Level Church Road near Ferson Road .  The number of proposed units is 137 with a required dedication of 3.91 acres. 

Staff’s Recommendations include:
-  Approval of a payment-in-lieu in place of parkland dedication for the value of 3.91 acres.
-  Approval for developer to construct, to Town standards, an approximate 1800’ greenway segment through the center of the PDD that will link with the future
Raftery Park .
-  Approval for the developer to construct, to Town standards, a multi-use trail along the north side of the East/West collector road which will link together the various public trails.
-   Approval for the developer to construct and maintain 6’ wide asphalt trails as shown on rezoning Circulation Plan map.

PRCR Board member Toby Kennedy noted that, in the future, if the horse farm is redeveloped, that the board should revisit the greenway connections.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation as listed above.  Tullie Johnson seconded the motion.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Trinity Ridge #04-REZ-31 – Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
This request is to amend the zoning on 48.87 acres from Residential 40 to Transitional Residential  Conditional Use (TR CU).  The project would be limited to no more than 2.75 dwelling units per acre and no more than 98 dwelling units.  The range of uses allowed could consist of single-family, duplex, patio, multi-family, and/or townhouse housing types.  The required dedication of 2.80 acres.

Staff’s recommendation is the approval of a payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication for the value of 2.80 acres.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation for the approval of a payment-in-lieu of parkland dedication for the value of 2.80 acres.  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.  

VI.  Reports

A.  Committee Reports
Athletic Committee – Jeff Boucher, Chair Did not meet
ACTION:
  Jeff Boucher made a motion that the board accept his recommendation to appoint Brian Brezina and Randall Bennett to the Athletic Committee, both serving their 1st Term (3-yrs.; 4/5-4/08).  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Cultural Arts Committee – Toby Kennedy, Chair 
Toby Kennedy noted that the committee submitted their recommendation to the budget office for approval of $89,000 to fund the 2006 Non-profit Funding Requests.
ACTION:  Toby Kennedy made a motion that the board accept his recommendation for Cultural Arts Committee appointments as follows:  Michael Salim, reappointment to a 2nd 3 year term, expires 4/08; Katie Crain to serve two years of an un-expired term, expires 4/07; Gyan Gupta and Dennis Hoadley to serve one year each of un-expired terms, both expire 4/06 and Mamta Bisarya and Virginia Trautman to serve their 1st Term (3 yrs.; 4/05-4/08).  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Greenway Committee – Leta Huntsinger, Chair
ACTION: 
On Leta Huntsinger’s behalf, Doug McRainey made a motion that the board accept Leta’s recommendation to appoint Candace Burt and Greg Lytle to the Greenway Committee, both serving their 1st Term (3-yrs.; 4/05-4/08).  The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Teen Advisory Committee – Steve Smutko, Chair
Steve Smutko noted the group reviewed the Teen Forum that took place in March.  Steve asked for a volunteer to serve on the Lazy Daze Scholarship Review Committee that awards college scholarships to high school seniors.  Susan Davenport volunteered to serve on the committee.
Steve reported that he will be meeting with committee members and staff to discuss how to restructure the Teen Advisory Committee in order to make the committee work and more meaningful for the teens.  This group will meet, prior to the next Teen Advisory Committee meeting, to brainstorm and to make whatever changes are necessary.
No committee assignments were brought before the PRCR Advisory Board at this time.

B.  Public Meeting Update
Black Creek Greenway Realignment Project – March 28th - Doug McRainey
PRCR Director Mary Henderson advised board members that approximately 80 citizens attended the March 28th public meeting.  She also stated the rezoning did take place on the condition that the greenway be moved outside of the property line and that the site plan was approved.  Council then directed staff to get public input but the objective now was not ‘to realign or not realign’ but to ‘how best’ to realign the 1400’ segment of the greenway.  A staff report with staff’s recommendation will go to Planning and Zoning in April and then onto Council at the end of April.

A comment/question summary was provided to board members for their review. 

Concerns addressed included:  impacts on the buffers; flooding; loss of vegetation and re-vegetation; potential PCB contamination; overlook; whether to straighten dog leg at the south end and straighten north end to eliminate steep drop.  Board member Toby Kennedy questioned the tree survey which indicated that there would be 25.30 trees removed.  He walked the corridor and his count ranged from 75-85 large trees and over 200 smaller trees/vegetation.  

Staff’s recommendation was to make changes as presented and move forward with the realignment plan.

PRCR Advisory Board member Steve Smutko asked if
Wake County had weighed in on the proposed realignment and PRCR Director Mary Henderson indicated yes and they deferred action to the Town of Cary but did want to be included in the re-vegetation.

ACTION:  Toby Kennedy made a motion to relocate the Black Creek Greenway within the existing easement closer to the edge overlooking the lake; construct it to current town standards; correct the sharp S-curve at the northern end, and to the extent possible, replace the bridge and correct the S-curve at the southern end; plant additional trees to create an opaque screen immediately adjoining both sides of the easement, within the lake buffer, around the dry retention pond and within the designated buffer east of the easement to screen the development.  The motion was seconded by Susan Davenport.  The motion did not carry with 5 opposed votes; 3 in favor.

ACTION:  Kay Struffolino made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation to move forward with the proposed greenway realignment with the provision that everything be done to save as much of the vegetation as physically possible and replacement of removed vegetation and then some.  Melissa White seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Walnut Street Park Master Plan – March 29th – Doug McRainey

This meeting was well attended with 109+.  Residents were excited about the proposed park with many interested in serving on the Citizen Design Committee.  The project will move forward with three Citizen Design Committee meetings; a second public meeting and it is anticipated that the Master Plan will be presented to the PRCR Advisory Board in August of 2005.

C.  Staff Report Update – Tom Hemrick

See handout.

D.  Administration
May 2nd PRCR Advisory Board Meeting – Judy Newsome
Judy advised board members that the May meeting will be a one-hour meeting followed by a Joint Board/Committee Orientation (board meeting @5:15p-6:15p; orientation at 6:30p). 

Tom Hemrick reminded board members of the Board/Committee Orientation reception hosted by Town Council tomorrow evening at the
Senior Center .

E.  Recreation Programs – Dwayne Jones
Dwayne referred to the handouts and Program Updates.

Senior Center – Kay Struffolino, Liaison, Senior Center
Kay referred to the handout of center updates and noted that since the inception of SeniorNet (4 years ago), approximately 1500 seniors have participated in these programs producing revenue of $30,000.

Teen Council – Laura Robertson, President reporting for Selby Lo
Laura reported 108 volunteer hours for the month of March.  The Teen Forum went well.  Members have volunteered to assist with Senior Games; Cary Road Race; Bike Rodeo; Soup Kitchen and April’s Band Night and Movie Night.

F.  Cultural Arts Programs – Lyman Collins
Lyman reported that the Koka Booth Amphitheatre opening season was announced today and that Aretha Franklin will be appearing in June.   

Melissa White commented that the Easter Egg Hunt went well but suggested that future plans for the Sertoma performances include more interactive activities with the children.  Melissa noted this year, many children lost interest and she felt the program was too long.  Recreation Program Manager Dwayne Jones noted he would pass those comments along to staff.

G.  Festivals Committee – Kay Struffolino
Kay referred to the handout and noted that staff is in need of more volunteers for Spring Daze on Saturday, April 23rd.  Time slots open are 6-9 a.m. and 5-6:30p.  Please contact Kay or Sara Bunch at the PRCR Administration office.

H.  Athletic Programs – William Davis
William noted that staff was excited about the new Road Race location at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park .  Volunteers are needed for race day, April 9th and William provided contact information for those interested in assisting with this event.

VII. Old Business
PR05017
Dog Park – It was noted that the Dog Park was approved for the Buffalo Tract location adjacent to Skate Park .

VIII. New Business
Walnut Street Park Liaison Appointment
ACTION: 
Chair Tom Hemrick made a motion that he and Tullie Johnson be appointed as liaisons to the Citizen Design Committee for the Walnut Street Park .
The motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IX.  Adjourn

Please contact Gail Taylor with any questions about the minutes.  The e-mail address is gail.taylor @townofcary.org and the phone number is 462-3961.

Back to TOP