STAFF REPORT

Planning and Development Committee, July 27, 2006

Neighborhood Improvement Program Matching Grant (PL06-054)
Consideration of Park Village Home Owner Association’s request to increase the matching grant amount from $5,000 to $8,538

Speaker: Raymond Magyar

 

From:  Jeff Ulma, AICP, Planning Director
Prepared by:  Raymond Magyar, Senior Planner
Approved by: William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager

Background:  The Neighborhood Improvement Matching Grant program was created and approved by Council on March 24, 2005 as an element of the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative. The program provided a dollar for dollar matching grant of up to $5,000 for a bona fide neighborhood organization or Home Owners Association (HOA) to make new physical improvements to the neighborhood. The purpose of the grant was to provide an incentive to HOA’s to preserve the attractiveness and unique character of Cary’s residential neighborhoods. Normal neighborhood maintenance and upkeep are not eligible projects for this program.

The Park Village HOA applied for and received approval for a matching grant of $5,000 for neighborhood projects totaling $13,905 to include a new playground, picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles, fencing, stocking a pond with fish, and a pond fountain.  These improvements are located off near the intersection of Park Village Drive and Castle Hayne Drive.  Since the initial cost estimate of the project, an unforeseen additional expense for electrical service and a transformer was added at a cost of $3,538 thus increasing the total project cost to $17,443.

Request:  Any matching amount over $5,000 must receive Council approval and must be justified as showing a benefit to the general Cary community in addition to the direct benefit to the Park Village neighborhood. Due to the additional expense, the Park Village HOA is requesting a total grant amount of $8,538 for their match of $8,905 for a total project cost of $17,443.

Justification for Increase:  A revised application has been submitted indicating a revised project budget and a justification for the increase showing the benefit to the Cary community. The Park Village HOA justifications are as follows:

·         Park Village is a large neighborhood of over 1,000 residents in 600 homes whose main roads carry many non-resident visitors and passers-by. The installed pond fountain will be visible to all in the neighborhood plus the visitors and passers-by on Park Village Drive during the daytime as well as in the evening.

·         A Town of Cary greenway runs through the neighborhood and connects to Davis Drive Elementary and Middle schools. Many people outside Park Village utilize this greenway, and the pond fountain would be an attractive view from the public greenway.

Fiscal Impact:  The Town Council appropriated $75,000 for the matching grant program.  There are currently six other applicants being considered for up to $5,000 grants through the program, leaving adequate funds available to fund this increased award.  Doing so will reduce funds available for future projects. The cost of maintaining the playground, park furniture, pond stocking, and fountain will be absorbed by the Park Village HOA through their homeowner’s dues and assessment fees.

Staff Recommendation:  Consider the increase of the Park Village request for an additional matching grant amount of $3,538.