HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/30/2009 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board Cir or Courrc. Swot:
JOINT PARKS PLANNING AND ZONING SUB-COMMITTEE
NOTES
11:00AM, Friday, January 30, 2009
The Administrative Conference Room - 1101 Texas Avenue
College Station, TX 77840
STAFF PRESENT: Marco A. Cisneros, Director of Parks and Recreation,
David Schmitz, Assistant Director — Operations, Pete
Vanecek, Senior Park Planner; David Wood, Park Planner;
Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager
SUB-COMMITTEE PRESENT: Gary Erwin, Park and Recreation Advisory Board Chair;
George Jessup, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
SUB-COMMITTEE ABSENT: Jody Ford
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Hugh Steam, Thomas Woodfin
Marco A. Cisneros, Director, explained that the meeting was scheduled to inform them about
the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor and the projects being discussed to develop in the Corridor.
Handouts were given. The development of a water feature in the Wolf Pen Creek Corridor was
the main topic of discussion. The water feature has already been discussed within several
meetings. Kathy Merrill, Assistant City Manager, explained that the Wolf Pen Creek T1F Board
will make a recommendation to City Council on the water feature and its' location, and the City
Council will make the final decision. The handouts given showed the different areas that were
discussed to place the water feature. Primarily in discussion of this feature, the Wolf Pen
Creek TIF Board said that they wanted to explore what could be developed on land that the
City already owned. Marco A. Cisneros explained that the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight
Committee said that parking was an issue and that the feature should be placed in the festival
area as a focal of Wolf Pen Creek.
Hugh Stearns asked, 'What was being conceptualized for this feature, and how we expect to
best use the festival area?" He also asked, "Are we creating an under utilized development
rather than bringing in commerce to the area?"
Hugh Steams, "Why is there not an overlay in the Wolf Pen Creek District?"
Marco A. Cisneros, "1 do not think that it ever came about."
Thomas Woodfin, 'Are we committed to the water feature?" He explained that he likes the
recommendation from the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee of moving the water feature in
to the festival site. However, the maintenance costs are costly, and the upkeep is time
consuming. He explained that not having a water feature does not bother him.
Marco A. Cisneros, "We are committed to building the water feature, we just have to make it
the best we can make it." , "The City is also required to build a water feature in the WPC
Corridor as per the trail real estate contract requirements."
•
Gary Erwin recommended that we move forward with the water feature and its' location as
submitted, in being in the festival area. The members agreed by consensus to his
recommendation.
Marco A. Cisneros explained that the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater has very high acoustic
restrictions which causes the promoter world to view our facility as an unfriendly venue.
Hugh Steams explained that people do not like the moat at Wolf Pen Creek. "Why couldn't we
spend some of the money allocated toward the Wolf Pen Creek water feature, to trying to
correct the moat?"
Marco A. Cisneros explained that the dynamics of the Wolf Pen Creek venue are very unusual,
but that suggestion could certainly be taken into consideration in the future.
Hugh Steams said that our facility can become known for acoustic type concerts.
Kathy Merrill explained that, "This group is our voice to others of why the water feature is being
built and the cost reasoning."
George Jessup explained that he would like to see the city acquire the four or five acres
located along Dartmouth by the proposed festival area site.
Hugh Stearns "If there was an overlay, would we then need to acquire the acreage?" •
Thomas Woodfin explained that the, "Water feature parking needs to be pedestrian and bus
friendly, and that this is one of the best locations to do that."
Hugh Stearns, "Would it be possible to present an overlay district?"
Thomas Woodfin said, "I'm not sure if an overlay district is the best action to take to achieve
the end result that we are looking for."
Hugh Stearns said that having an overlay district may help.
Thomas Woodfin, "It seems to make the most sense to invest the remaining funds into
something that will tie in the Arts Center, Amphitheater, and park area."
Hugh Stearns, "There needs to be something to encourage small scale retail into the area."
Kathy Merrill, "The Lofts will have some small retail in the bottom of the building."
Gary Erwin, "There is ample room to make this a destination."
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Joint Park Planning and Zoning
Sub-committee Notes
January 30, 2009
Marco A. Cisneros, Director — Parks and Recreation, explained that there would be more
meetings held next week by the Wolf Pen Creek Oversight Committee and the Wolf Pen Creek
TIF Board to discuss the water feature area project. The City Council would ultimately need to
approve the project.
The meeting ended at 12:18PM.
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Joint Park Planning and Zoning
Sub-committee Notes
January 30, 2009