HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-21-2016 Minutes PRB Regular MeetingPage 1 of 4
Minutes
Parks & Recreation Board
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
7:00 PM, Town Barn
101 E. Orange St.
Present: Chairman Todd Stabley, Vice Chairman Ashley DeSena, Kate Albrecht, Robb English,
Annie Jarabek, Noah Mace, Chris Wehrman – PB Rep., Kim Woodell, Brian Lowen – Ex Officio – TB rep.
Absent: Rebecca Swartz, Nancy Taylor
Staff: Stephanie Trueblood
Item 1: Call meeting to order, roll call, and confirm presence of a quorum
Chairman Stabley called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the
presence of a quorum.
Item 2: Consideration of changes or adjustments to the agenda
There were no changes or adjustments.
Item 3: Approval of minutes from May 17, 2016
Motion: Vice Chairman DeSena moved to approve the minutes as submitted.
Second: Mr. Wehrman seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Item 4: Review mock ups for Interpretive Signage-Phase 2
Ms. Trueblood reviewed that there are many contributors to the interpretive sign content. She reviewed
the locations and the topics of the signs. Vice Chairman DeSena made a suggestion regarding the
wording of the “panic of 1893” to reflect that it was a severe economic depression. She suggested
clearer wording on the Confederate library sign as well.
Motion: Mr. Mace moved to approve the signs.
Second: Ms. Woodell seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Item 5: Site Plan review on the provision of recreation areas for Lennar Carolinas, LLC in
Waterstone (Development of 200 townhomes on 57 acres)
Ms. Trueblood and the developers reviewed the recreation plans. Board members asked clarifying
questions. Board members asked whether they’d considered a bigger pool, splash pads, a community
garden, and recreation for teens. There was discussion about community gardens and reserving open
space for it if it’s desired by residents. It was noted that the change in the presented plan from what was
in the agenda packet was taking 50 points off the clubhouse because it doesn’t offer inside recreation
space and adding a picnic shelter, picnic stations and small gazebos to make up the difference. Ms.
Trueblood asked whether the sidewalk would be within the public access and whether people who live
outside the development will be allowed to walk on the trails. Both were affirmative. Ms. Trueblood
suggested the developers install bike racks at the pool and play area.
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Motion: Mr. English moved to recommend approval of recreation of Parcel 17 with
encouragement to go beyond the recreational points if possible, adding as many amenities to meet
those goals, advocating for space set aside for community garden and noting that it’s contingent on
meeting the required number of points and receiving an updated plan.
Second: Mr. Stabley seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Conditions/Notes: Recommend approval of Waterstone Parcel 17 site plan with encouragement toward
additional amenities to meet resident needs and community goals such as setting space aside for
pollinator or community gardens.
Item 5: Connectivity Plan Update: Review text updates/edits from review of existing
plans/policies
Ms. Trueblood reviewed that she had changed language to reflect that Riverwalk is complete. She had
added language regarding accessibility throughout the document.
There was interest in crafting several questions to be included in the town’s Citizens Survey rather than
the Parks and Recreation Board creating a separate survey.
Ms. Trueblood reviewed the Safe Routes to School Plan.
Ms. Trueblood asked board members to read this revised section and let Ms. Trueblood know if they
have changes, questions, or additions.
Item 6: Reports and Updates
Town Board: Brian Lowen
Commissioner Lowen said the board had a presentation on what the public can
do to limit mosquitoes in light of the Zika virus.
Planning Board: Chris Wehrman
Mr. Wehrman said the Planning Board had been addressing text amendments
and he had been re-elected to serve on this board.
Orange County: Annie Jarabek (Joint meeting follow up)
Ms. Jarabek sent highlights to the group and was out of town for the most
recent meeting.
Intergovernmental Parks Work Group- IPWG: staff
There was no IPWG meeting this month.
Park Steward reports:
1. Gold Park: Annie Jarabek, Dog Park: Nancy Taylor
Ms. Jarabek said there’s some debris/dead vegetation in major areas like the
sidewalk along the pollinator garden. Ms. Trueblood explained that it might be
related to the railroad clearing the corridor. They have a corridor 100 feet from
the tracks. Ms. Trueblood said there are a lot of downed trees in the buffer that
can’t be removed (east side of soccer field along the river). Ms. Trueblood said
our policy is to leave dead things for the habitat. Ms. Jarabek said it’s major and
looks like debris. Ms. Trueblood said she would go take a look. Ms. Jarabek
added there’s another area near The Expedition School. Ms. Trueblood
explained that these areas are most likely Duke Energy clearing the power line
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easement. Their common practice is to leave material on site rather if it is a
wooded or undeveloped site. Ms. Jarabek also said the handrails are in worse
condition/split or disintegrating along the Eno and are beginning to buckle. Ms.
Trueblood said she would inspect and ask Public Works to hire a contractor to
fix the handrails.
2. Turnip Patch Park: Annie Jarabek
There is debris in the creek that runs under West Margaret Lane. The water
fountain is broken. Ms. Trueblood said there’s a work order to replace the
fountain’s valve again.
3. Murray Street Park: Ashley DeSena
Looks good.
4. Kings Highway Park: Todd Stabley
Looks pretty good. A little bit of poison ivy and a few downed branches that
extend into the path.
5. Hillsborough Heights Park: Kim Woodell
The gate is missing. Ms. Trueblood said it isn’t coming back. The park hasn’t
been mulched yet. Ms. Trueblood said it’s on the rotation. Some branches are
hanging low and need to be trimmed.
6. Riverwalk: Robb English
He hasn’t been recently. Ms. Trueblood reported the Ayr Mount pedestrian
bridge is being installed and will be open to the public in July. The latest plan is
for the kiosk to say please walk your bicycle. Bill Crowther doesn’t want
mountain bikers making their own trails. Ms. Trueblood would like people on
the other side of the river from downtown to be able to walk their bikes to
Riverwalk.
7. Downtown Sidewalks/Mayo Park: staff
No updates.
Staff Updates
Ms. Trueblood reported the KHP trash can is coming in July as well as downtown
trash/recycling units and recycling units for Riverwalk. A family in town has raised
money for three benches – two for Gold Park on the back bridge and one on
Riverwalk on phase 3. There might be enough money for a fourth. She has been
contacted by a business that also would like to donate a couple of benches.
An Eagle Scout has decided to work on a project in KHP – undecided as yet. She
would like it to be trail clearing but he wants to build something. It might be nice to
have a Parks and Recreation Board work day to clear KHP. There was interest in
Public Works treating the poison ivy before a work day.
There was brief discussion about an upcoming OWASA meeting regarding the
Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail.
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Item 7: Adjourn women
Motion: Ms. Albrecht moved to adjourn at 9:16 p.m.
Second: Vice Chairman DeSena seconded.
Vote: Unanimous