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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/1998 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board NOTES - City College Station Parks and Recreation Board Regular Meeting October 13 1998 7:00 p.m. City Hail Council Chambers 1101 Texas Avenue South Members Present: Chris Barzilla, Chair; George Dresser, Vice Chair; Susan Allen; John Crompton, and John Nichols Members Absent: Sarah Birkhold and Glen Davis Visitors: Tim Crowley, Jay Procter, Shanne Jones, Brookie Werth, Stephanie Crabtree, Stacey Lero, J. J. Kerker, Tom Hanrahan, Kevin Blumberg, Jennifer G elf o 1. Approval of Minutes: No changes were suggested. 2. Hear Visitors: No comments 3. Discussion of Parkland Dedication for the Crowley Tract Development: Mr. Crowley stated that State Highway 40 has been realigned, changed and expanded since the first presentation he made to the Board. He mentioned that the environmental conservation easement had also been preserved, changed and expanded beyond the required 16 acres. It will take 90 days for initial development. Mr. Crowley stated that the highway will be under construction in about a year, and will last about 30 months. He informed the Board that 32 of the 70 acres are mitigation-area acres. The Board expressed their concern about how pedestrians will cross the highway since it intersects the park. John Crompton asked about requesting grants for this project with the Texas Department of Transportation's (TXDOT) cooperation for a possible underpass to allow for safe pedestrian crossing. Mr. Crowley stated that the total acreage for development is 735 acres. One area in the parkland dedication proposal is age-restricted and does not connect with the rest of the park trails. John Crompton suggested connecting both trails which would encourage grant approval. George Dresser inquired about the annual maintenance cost of the proposed parkland. Steve Beachy stated that the City has not looked at it in detail. He said that it should be a low-maintenance area since it will be left in its natural state. Mr. Crowley stated that maintenance of the mitigation area falls on TXDOT. Any improvements made to the area would then be maintained by that respective entity. The retention area, approximately 5 acres, would be the responsibility of the Public Works Department. The Board agreed that putting an underpass beneath the highway is very important to the community. John Crompton stated that retention areas are ugly and wanted to know if Mr. Crowley could make it a permanent water feature. The motion will be the acceptance of the proposal of the parkland dedication, including a right-of-way under State Highway 40 to provide a linkages between the two sections, the closed greenbelt for the age- 13-Oct-98 • restricted area, the location of Victoria Street, location of streets to be placed for visibility and access on the dedicated park areas, and the detention site to include some type of pond for aesthetic purposes. 4. Discussion of Parkland Dedication Ordinance Revision: Jane Kee reviewed the revision process for the Parkland Dedication Ordinance. She stated that the current ordinance provides for a fee per dwelling unit that must be spent in the respective zones and within a certain time period. The refund criteria is being changed from 2 years to 5 years. The revision is also proposing for the review of fees every 3 years. Ms. Kee stated that community parks are not included in the parkland dedication ordinance. She handed out a parkland dedication fee methodology and reviewed the changes. Some of the design criteria includes: substantially out of flood plain, central locations, safety, scenic elements, adjacent to schools, easy access, and street frontage. The Board discussed their concern regarding the criteria that "requires" that the parks must have 50% street frontage. The Board suggested changing the wording to include that it would be "desirable" to have 50% street frontage, instead of requiring a minimum of 50%. Jane stated that she would change the wording so that it would reflect the Board's recommendation. Ms. Kee also said that the Planning and Zoning Commission(HEW) could grant a variance to the ordinance criteria. The Parkland Dedication Ordinance will go to P&ZC on October 15, and to City Council on November 12, for approval. 5. Discussion and Possible Consideration of a Recommendation for Additional Property of Parkway Park: Steve Beachy reviewed the site plan for Parkway Park. He stated that no discussion of price has taken place and that the existing house would have to be moved. The additional land could be used for added greenbelt in the area. The Board discussed the issue further and agreed that funds could be used for other needed park projects. 6. 1-7scuss'ol, I'S' Co. s7cle a oi o a a , e Recommendation for the "e.io al Athletic Park Site: John Nichols reported on the committee's process for naming the park. The name they decided on was "Veterans Park and Athletic Complex." 7. Advisory Committee Appointments: Bridgette George handed out additional applications and the Board decided to form a subcommittee to review all of the applications. Susan Allen and Chris Barzilla agreed to serve on the subcommittee. The Board requested that Lance Jackson, James Steen and Grace Calbert be at the meeting on Monday, October 19, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss recommendations for appointments. 8. Co. se t A_ e Ida: • Discussion of Board Goals: Parks Master Plan: A draft copy of the Memorandum of Understanding was handed out for the Board's review. Steve Beachy reviewed the memo and stated that he met with Joni Baker and she was excited about getting started on the project. They both agreed that the report would be produced in conjunction with guidelines of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. • Capital Improvement Program Report: -No discussion. • Committee Reports: - No discussion 9. Board Concerns/Other Business: No other business was discussed. 10. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m. • Parks&Recreation Board Notes Page 2 of 2