HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-15-2016 Minutes PRB Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3
Minutes
Parks & Recreation Board
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
7:00 PM, Town Barn
101 E. Orange St.
Present: Chairman Todd Stabley, Vice Chairman Ashley DeSena, Kate Albrecht, Robb English,
Annie Jarabek, Rebecca Swartz, Nancy Taylor, Chris Wehrman (Planning Board
representative), Kim Woodell, Brian Lowen (Ex Officio – Town Board representative)
Absent: Noah Mace
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.
Item 3: Approval of minutes from October 18, 2016
Motion: Mr. English moved approval of the minutes as submitted.
Second: Ms. Woodell seconded.
Vote: Vote
Item 4: Continue Connectivity Plan Update: Review DRAFT plan and maps
Board members asked general questions.
Jae Furman introduced himself. He writes Trailhead News (trailheadnews.wordpress.com) and is very
interested in connecting trails in Hillsborough. Bev Belle came with interest in the Mountains-to-Sea
Trail.
Ms. Trueblood reviewed that the Connectivity Plan was adopted in 2009. At that time, Riverwalk hadn’t
been built and Gold Park was perhaps just opening. Nash Street sidewalk was coming. This plan was last
updated in 2014. Cates Creek Park was just coming along. And Cates Creek Greenway was just an idea.
The plan is set up with recommendations for sidewalks and trails and recommendations that are either
policy-related or budgetary-related.
Ms. Trueblood reviewed the maps. She highlighted recommended sidewalks and explained that for this
update the board is removing several recommended low-priority sidewalks that are not likely to be built.
The board discussed the possibility of recommending greenways be built 10 feet wide instead of 8 feet
wide. Board members were supportive, particularly looking ahead to the greenway in Collins Ridge. In
other areas that are lower impact zones, 8 feet might be more appropriate.
Ms. Trueblood and the board reviewed the Greenways and Trails map. It was noted that a major
difference between this updated plan and the 2014 updated plan is the proposed north-south alignment
of the greenway instead of aligning with the railroad and going under Interstate 85. There’s a shift away
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from Cates Creek Greenway that would have run to Elizabeth Brady Road because of likely difficulties in
building it and a replacement with the Collins Ridge Greenway that will tie into the new train station.
There was brief discussion about controlling speeding. Ms. Trueblood advised that speed bumps fall
under the town’s traffic calming policy.
The board reviewed the policy recommendations including petitioning the North Carolina Department
of Transportation (NCDOT) to either relinquish to the town King Street, Nash Street and West
Hillsborough Avenue so that the speeds can be lowered and traffic calming measures can be taken or
petition NCDOT to lower the speeds on those streets. This acknowledges that the town is very limited on
what it can do about the higher speeds without coordinating with NCDOT.
Also included is a recommendation to study the feasibility of reducing speed on Occoneechee Street.
The sidewalk ordinance will include updates such as recommending that plantings and planting strips
need to be built with new sidewalks wherever feasible. Cates Creek Parkway does not have any street
trees. Planting trees along that right of way will be a huge endeavor for the Tree Board over multiple
years. Sidewalks should connect. Alternate materials should be considered in addition to concrete. ADA
accessibility should be considered wherever possible (ramp instead of steps on slopes).
This includes a recommendation to study holes in connectivity that could be closed by annexing small
pieces of property (example: a section near the quarry).
The Board will receive the final DRAFT document for a recommendation to the Planning Board and Town
board next month.
Item 5: Reports and Updates- (Parks and Recreation related reports)
Town Board: Brian Lowen—The town has approved a bid for the Churton Street
Access Improvement Project. Collins Ridge construction is getting underway and
the developers have announced they are also buying the Daniel Boone Shopping
Center. Development will start in the southeast quadrant instead of earlier
plans to start to the north.
Planning Board: Chris Wehrman—The owners of the old Southern Season
Warehouse (90,000 SF) have requested to rezone it to Adaptive Re-Use with a
performance center. The Little School has requested more parking.
Mountains to Sea Trail- MST: staff—No update since the last OWASA meeting. A
visitor at this meeting advocated for this trail and for the Friends of the MST.
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council: Annie Jarabek—no report
Intergovernmental Parks Work Group- IPWG: staff—Ms. Trueblood reported she
and Mr. English and Commissioner Lowen attended and staff is working on
developing the greenway locator map.
Park Steward reports:
1. Gold Park: Annie Jarabek, Dog Park: Nancy Taylor—Ms. Trueblood reported that
cleanup and repairs from the floods is underway.
2. Cates Creek Park: Kate Albrecht—A lot of people are using the field for Frisbee
or just playing while parents run the perimeter of the field. User trails are being
worn into the woods.
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3. Turnip Patch Park: Annie Jarabek—Looking good. Would like to move the
benches.
4. Murray Street Park: Ashley DeSena—Looks good. Ms. Trueblood said she has
her eye on making it more accessible next year.
5. Kings Highway Park: Todd Stabley—Looks fine.
6. Hillsborough Heights Park: Kim Woodell—No report.
7. Riverwalk: Robb English—No report.
8. Downtown Sidewalks/Mayo Park: staff—Ms. Trueblood reported that the town
is entering the phase of contracting for CSAIP. She plans to hold a public
meeting with updates in January.
Staff Updates
Item 6: Adjourn
Motion: Ms. Woodell moved to adjourn at 9:27 p.m.
Second: Ms. Jarabek seconded.
Vote: Unanimous