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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2003 - Regular Minutes - Parks Board (2)Staff Present: Steve Beachy, Director of Parks and Recreation; Eric Ploeger, Assistant Director; Peter Vanecek, Senior Park Planner; Curtis Bingham, Parks Operations Superintendent; Kristin Lehde, Staff Assistant; Pamela Springfield, Senior Secretary. Board Members Present: John Nichols, Chairman; Don Allison; Jodi Warner; Larry Farnsworth; Bill Davis; Glenn Schroeder. Board Members Absent: Glen Davis. Visitors: Mike McClure, Engineer, 9262 Brookwater Circle - Woodcreek Elizabeth, Patrick, and Preston Cunha, 4019 Tiffany Trail - SPHOA Charles Murray, 4006 Tiffany Trail - Shenandoah Lydia and Rob Eby, 1209 Remington Court Richard Friedberg, 1307 Roanoke Court - Shenandoah Emaline Clark, 1211 Roanoke Court - Shenandoah Margaret Ward, 1414 Front Royal Drive - Shenandoah Randy Russell, 3980 Windfree Drive - Shenandoah James Lukeman, 1515 Strasburg Circle - Shenandoah Jeff Sellers, 3904 Stony Creek Lane - Shenandoah Laura & Mike Jackson, 1311 Remington Court - Shenandoah Candy Garrett, 1206 Portsmouth Court - Shenandoah Richard Neuendorff, 1414 Kernstown Lane - Shenandoah Dave Jones, 3967 Windfree Drive - Shenandoah Janice Crockett, 4005 Stony Creek - Shenandoah Nan Jones, 1308 Remington Court - Shenandoah Jason Fikes, 1309 Danville Court - Alexandria Nickie Woodward, 4009 Windfree - Shenandoah Drew & Sophia Dunlap, 4015 Hunter Creek - Shenandoah Richard Bishop, 4007 Stony Creek - Shenandoah Kelly De La Cruz, 1208 Skyline Court - Alexandria Lonnie Brothers, 1405 Kernstown Lane - Shenandoah Brandon & Heather Boatcallie, 1202 Norfolk Court - Shenandoah Armando Solar, 1514 Jasmine Court - SPHOA Keith Ploch, 1410 Kernstown Lane - SPHOA Clyde & Molly Hance, 3706 Marielene Circle - Future home owner Bea Neal, 4100 Tiffany Trail - SPHOA Carl Drost, 1212 Portsmouth - Shenandoah John & Dawn Tollett, 1301 Roanoke Court - Shenandoah Dusti See, 1300 Portsmouth - Shenandoah Robert Orzabal, 1505 Richland Court N. - SPHOA President Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Shenandoah Park Public Hearing Tuesday, May 6, 2003 Page I of 4 1. Call to order: Chairman John Nichols called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Pardon — possible action concerning requests for absences of members from meeting: No requests for absences were submitted. 3. Public Hearing, discussion, and possible action concerning the development of a park in the Shenandoah Subdivision: John N. thanked everyone for attending and explained that the purpose of the meeting was for public discussion of ideas relating to what people would like to have in the proposed Shenandoah Park. Steve Beachy introduced the Board and staff members present. He explained that the public hearing was the first step in working towards a Master Plan for Shenandoah Park. He stated that although the financial resources may not be in place to develop what everyone wanted initially, it was important to try and achieve a Master Plan in order to determine priorities and to begin implementing them. He introduced Mike McClure who was representing the developer and would be working closely with staff throughout the design process. Eric Ploeger stated that the idea was to provide a park with facilities that the residents wanted, while trying to get a Master Plan that fits with that vision and fits within what is normally built within a College Station neighborhood park. The 14.7 -acre park in Park Zone 10 is located on the corner of Alexandria Street and Southern Plantation Drive. It has good street frontage and once Alexandria is complete, it will have good street access. Ric explained that neighborhood parks normally did not have athletic facilities for organized sports or parking facilities. They are primarily pedestrian parks, generally within a half -mile walk from any residence. Ric stated that, based on the input received, staff would go back to the Advisory Board with a suggested plan. Decisions would also need to be made regarding scheduling for the development of the park and use of the available funds. Pete Vanecek presented a conceptual plan for the 14.7 -acre park, along with cost estimates and pictures. Pete stated that this park was a little larger than the typical neighborhood park and so there would be room for a 1.4 -mile walking/jogging track. He suggested nestling play equipment and a small picnic shelter or gazebo in the open area at the front of the park. The plan showed two separate play areas. One area with play equipment for 1 -4 year olds and one for 5 -12 year olds, both with rubber cushion surfacing and possibly covered. A couple of picnic tables, barbecue grills, benches around the play area, a swing set, drinking fountains, and bicycle racks were also included. Trees could be planted around the playgrounds and jogging trails. A portion of the park is heavily wooded with some areas meant to help with the drainage in the subdivision. Nature trails could be located in the wooded areas, with a few picnic units. Low - intensity, security lighting could be installed around the shelter and playground or possibly along the trails. The question was asked if restrooms or a swimming pool would be considered for the park. Pete stated that restrooms and swimming pools usually went into the larger community parks. John opened the floor for public input. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Shenandoah Park Public Hearing Tuesday, May 6, 2003 Page 2 of 4 Elizabeth Cunha: She would like to see plenty of water fountains, with one on the far side of the trail; and, tennis courts. Preston Cunha: He would like to see monkey bars. Patrick Cunha: A small track around the playground area, a tennis court, a slide, and swings. Richard Bishop: He asked where the next community park would be located and what population Shenandoah Park would serve. (It would serve residents within a half -mile walking radius. The Park Master Plan calls for another community park on the west side of Texas Avenue and a 65 -acre area adjacent to the current landfill will also serve as a community park.) Lonnie Brothers: He would like to see playground equipment and surfacing that are handicap accessible and special swings for children who need extra support. (All of the park plans have to meet State ADA requirements. That type of swing can be looked into.) Carl Drost: He would like to see an area for rollerblading, a Veloway track for bikers in the back half wooded area, and wanted to know what type of covering would be used on the playground. (A fabric cover like those installed at the Southwood Park playgrounds.) Chuck Murray: He asked if the park elements would be put out to bid and if staff had considered working with the prison systems. (Working with the prison system has been done in the past and they were more expensive than general contractors.) Sophia Dunlap: She was concerned about the increase in traffic because it would attract people from outside the area, and wanted to know if there would be any reserved areas, soccer fields or baseball fields? (Probably not, unless the group wants a large pavilion. The small shelters are first -come, first- serve. Balyiields would increase traffic and a lot of trees would have to be cleared - there would be trade - offs) Dave Jones: He said he would like to see a couple of basketball courts, with one being for younger children. Rob Eby: He wanted to know if extra stop signs could be put up and if there were plans to control the speed of traffic along Alexandria Drive? (Traffic concerns can be passed on to the Traffic Engineer in the Public Works.) Mary Ann Jones: She wanted to know if there was any way that restrooms could go in the park. (This is something that could be discussed. Normally they aren't put in because of the cost involved with maintaining them and it also becomes a policing issue.) Dave Jones: He commented that when he lived in Dallas, the restrooms were an issue because they weren't being used for what they intended. Residents wanted the city to close them. Armando Solar: He asked about the timeframe for this type of park. (If funds are available, normally six to eight months from the public hearing to completion. The funds were not in place to complete the full package, and the Advisory Board will work with staff on the timeline.) John Nichols explained the Park Land Dedication Ordinance. He stated that development fees had only been received over the last four years adding that as new homes were built the funds would increase. Jason Fikes: He wanted a lot of open space and he liked the trails. Mary Ann Jones: She was concerned about an increase in traffic. (Traffic will be monitored and managed as it is throughout the rest of the community) Jeff Sellers: He wanted a covered playground and nature trails. He liked the layout presented. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Shenandoah Park Public Hearing Tuesday, May 6, 1003 Page 3 of 4 Richard Bishop: The community needed to think about whether they wanted amenities that would attract people from outside the neighborhood or whether the park should be kept simple. He felt that staff knew best and could give feedback on the types of amenities that they don't want. Sophia Dunlap: She liked the design presented. Richard Friedberg: He liked the plan presented and wanted to know if there were funds available to start right away. (Even though it can't all be done at once, both the Advisory Board and staff would like to see the first phase underway as quickly as possible.) Carl Drost: He would like to see emergency /911 call boxes installed in the park. (This has just recently been done in the Wolf Pen Creek Park and staff can take a look at the cost.) John Tollett: He doesn't want to see any type of pond that would attract mosquitoes; He would like to see a basketball court, tennis court, and rubber surfacing on the running /walking tracks. (Rubber surfacing was a possibility. Tennis courts are possible, but require intense lighting that would be on at night. They would also attract people from outside the neighborhood.) Emaline Clark: She was concerned about on- street parking on both sides of South Plantation causing a problem for residents. (If there are bike lanes, there will be no parking along that street. The majority of people walk to neighborhood parks.) Richard Bishop: He asked about the number of lights planned. (An exact number is not known, but a few could be installed at the playground, pavilion, along the front sidewalks, and a few on the trail through the woods.) John Nichols stated that the master plan would be done next and once the priorities were set, a more specific design would be done. There could be some dialogue at that point as to specific features. Richard Bishop: He asked if the construction of Alexandria Street was contingent upon the developer building out the subdivision; and, how large the sidewalk would be on the north side of the park. (Alexandria Street would definitely be built. Mike McClure stated that the developer was interested in getting the park built immediately, as it will help him sell lots.) (The sidewalk would be at least six feet wide, probably larger.) Rob Eby: He asked if the retention areas were existing lowlands and if they could be made smaller. (The detention area, designed to serve that subdivision, is achieved through a small levee with trees left in place, which would not hold water all the time. The south end detention is achieved through the use of a culvert under the street.) Richard Bishop: He asked if the area was classified as wetlands. (No, it is not) Carl Drost: He suggested a putting green in the open area. Jeff Sellers: He would like to have as many trees as possible and none removed. John N. asked for the Board's comments and questions. Jodi W. agreed about leaving the trees. She felt the plan maximized the site. The Board thanked everyone for their input. John N. stated that Shenandoah Park would be on the agenda for the next regular meeting on May 13, 2003. Proposed priorities along with projected costs would be developed for the Board to consider at that meeting. An official presentation of the master plan would be done at a later date. 4. Adjourn: Bill D. made a motion to adjourn. Jodi W. seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Shenandoah Park Public Hearing Tuesday, May 6, 2003 Page 4 of 4