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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-17-2015 Minutes PRB Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3 Minutes Parks & Recreation Board Tuesday, November 17, 2015 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, Rebecca Swartz, Chris Wehrman – Planning Board Rep., Kim Woodell, Ex Officio – Town Board – Jenn Weaver Absent: Nancy Taylor Staff: Stephanie Trueblood Item 1: Call meeting to order, roll call, and confirm presence of a quorum Chair called the meeting to order. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and confirmed the presence of a quorum. Item 2: Consideration of changes or adjustments to the agenda No changes or adjustments. Item 3: Approval of minutes from October 20, 2015 Motion: Mr. English moved to approve the minutes with no changes. Second: Ms. Albrecht seconded. Vote: Unanimous Item 4: Kings Highway Park Master Plan work session:  Review DRAFT text for previously discussed topics  Develop recommendations for amenities/activities (trails, benches, trash cans, picnic areas, fishing areas, kayak launch/biodock, parking area, new park uses, etc.) The board reviewed that they would like to enhance awareness about this park’s amenities. There was interest in updating the name of the park to highlight it as an educational resource. There was interest in keeping the work “park” in the name. There was discussion about renaming it to “Kings Highway Educational Park” or “Kings Highway Educational Forest Park.” There was discussion that perhaps “Kings Highway Educational Park and Forest,” which would lead people to believe there were educational signs throughout. The board will revisit the name next month. Connectivity to this park for pedestrians and cyclists is very important to this board, but the board also recognizes that vision may not be realized for years. Ms. Trueblood summarized that parking lot improvements, though they may take some years to work into the budget, will enable this park to accommodate more visitors. There was a recommendation for creating trails or linking trails with a clear sense of flow. There was a suggestion improve trails on the north side to include a loop and eventually connect it to the south side. And on the south side, to connect the trails better. Page 2 of 3 Ms. Trueblood shared that she has been scoping out the potential for a parking area on the north side, which needs to be decided before trail layout can occur. She indicated a spot she’s identified on a map. After walking the place the board had been considering, Ms. Trueblood has decided it’s too beautiful to place the parking lot there. The board liked the new location, thinking it was good to have two parking lots across from each other to indicate there are two parts (north and south). It may also help slow traffic. Commissioner Weaver asked for the rationale for building two parking lots. Ms. Trueblood explained the south side parking lot can only hold four or five cars, and the south side is more for fishing or kayaking. The north side parking lot would likely be gravel and would have a kiosk with maps and would be more hiker-focused. The north side parking lot would probably accommodate eight cars. Most people are not going to walk or bike to the park. Some will. The board summed up that they are interested in trails and picnic areas, perhaps natural playground features like something someone could lie on and take a nap, picnic tables or benches, an accessible picnic spot. Perhaps the existing picnic area could be improved. Ms. Trueblood said the banks are going to be cleared down again in the next few months, as there is intent to keep the banks clear for the next dredging. There was support for benches. The board reviewed the interpretive signs (de-watering basin, bio-dock, historic roadbed, Eco-Heal if it’s located here, the dam (perhaps placed in the parking lot from which you can see the dam). Some would love more than one for the roadbed. There was quick discussion about the silt fence – why it’s left for so long and why it’s difficult to later remove it. There was recognition that some desire further discussion of whether this could be a good place for Eco Heal. This topic was not discussed in depth at this meeting. Staff will bring draft in December and cost estimates in January. Item 5: Begin discussion for setting park development priorities for FY17 Ms. Trueblood asked what additional information this board needs for the January meeting. Staff will bring the KHP cost estimates in January to add to the discussion. The board then will figure out how to fit the KHP ranking into the existing ranking. Item 6: Reports and Updates  Town Board: Jenn Weaver – She reported that the board continued its discussion on affordable housing. The Collins Ridge public hearing is ongoing. At the December meeting Mark Bell will be sworn in. She thanked Ashley DeSena for bringing attention that we didn’t have a policy on closed meeting minutes. That policy has just been created so that closed meeting minutes can be opened on a scheduled basis and upon request if there is no longer attorney-client privilege.  Planning Board: Chris Wehrman – He reviewed the proposed Collins Ridge development currently in the public hearing process for Master Plan approval. Ms. Trueblood reviewed that Page 3 of 3 several studies are being conducted that will help determine how to move existing and additional people around Hillsborough. Commissioner Weaver clarified that the town doesn’t have an affordable housing policy yet but the developer is offering an affordable housing component. There was brief discussion about wanting the public to participate more in the public hearing process. Ms. DeSena suggested larger notice signs.  Eco-heal subcommittee: Todd Stabley, Kate Albrecht, Annie Jarabek  Park Steward reports: 1. Gold Park: Annie Jarabek, Dog Park: Nancy Taylor 2. Turnip Patch Park: Annie Jarabek 3. Murray Street Park: Ashley DeSena 4. Kings Highway Park: Todd Stabley 5. Hillsborough Heights Park: Kim Woodell 6. Riverwalk: Robb English 7. Downtown Sidewalks/Mayo Park: staff  Staff Updates: Riverwalk plantings, Cates Creek Park Item 7: Adjourn Motion: Ms. DeSena moved to adjourn. Second: Ms. Jarabek seconded. Vote: Unanimous