SPECIAL

PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT

A Special Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on October 23, 2007, at 12:00 p.m. with Chairwoman Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. McGlumphy, Mrs. Horsey, and Mr. Lewis.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Amendment to Lexington Glen Active Recreation Plan

During their meeting of September 15, 2003, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee reviewed the Active Recreation Area Plan for Lexington Glen: Planned Neighborhood Design. The site is located on the north side of North Little Creek Road, adjacent to the SR-1 off-ramp and consists of approximately 38.36 acres. The applicant is seeking to change the elements of the Active Recreation Plan previously approved for Lexington Glen: Planned Neighborhood Design.

Mrs. Melson-Williams presented the previously approved and revised Recreation Area Plan for Lexington Glen: Planned Neighborhood Design, as follows:

Members were advised that their recommendation will be considered by the Planning Commission during their meeting on November 19, 2007. Following are the comments and recommendations made by the Planning staff upon review of the revised Recreation Area Plan:

1.The project as revised continues to comply with the minimum acreage requirement for Active Recreation Areas. The Open Space areas remain the same size, only the amenities provided are proposed for revision.

2.Staff recommended the following in regards to the proposed revisions to the recreation area improvements:

a.Retain the gazebo element as an amenity for all age groups. Revisions to the design of the gazebo may reduce the cost while maintaining the function. An alternative to the gazebo would be the installation of a series of benches and/or picnic tables near the walking path in the same area between Lots 54 and 55.

b.Upgrade the playscape structure to serve ages 5-12 rather than ages 2-5. This will better serve a variety of ages.

c.In the revised proposal, the swing set only has toddler swing seats. The swings previously approved included regular swing seats and toddler swing seats thus appealing a wider age range.

Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the revised Recreation Area Plan for Lexington Glen: Planned Neighborhood Design as presented to include staff’s comments and recommendations, excluding 2(c). The motion was seconded by Mr. McGlumphy and unanimously carried.

Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend approval of the applicants request to provide one (1) swing set to consist of two (2) toddler swing seats, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and carried with Mr. Lewis voting no.

Review of Proposed Amendments - C-2 (Central Commercial) and C-2A (Limited Central Commercial) Zoning Districts

Members reviewed proposed zoning text amendments to Article 3 - District Regulations, Section 14 - Limited Central Commercial Zone (C-2A); Article 4 - Zoning Bulk and Parking Regulations, Section 4.14 - [C-1, C-1A, C-2, C-2A Zones]; and Article 5 - Supplementary Regulations, Section 10 - Open Space, Recreation, and Other Public Facilities.

Mrs. Townshend explained that the proposed ordinance amendments would make changes to the uses permitted in the C-2A (Limited Central Commercial) Zone and to the parking and bulk standards of the C-2 (Central Commercial) Zone and C-2A Zone. She stated that they would also amend the requirements for active open space within these zones. The proposed amendments were developed to better facilitate mixed use development and redevelopment within the downtown area; however, Mrs. Townshend noted that there are other areas that would be affected by the proposed amendments.

Mr. Ruane requested that, in the future, staff provide maps that depict the areas associated with the proposed amendments. He suggested that staff include language that would assure that the amendments are specific to the areas they wish to be affected, such as the downtown area. Mr. Ruane also relayed concern with the proposed amendments regarding parking, explaining his opinion that any new apartment complex should be required to provide a parking lot for tenants. He disagreed with allowing use of other parking “in the area”, including on-street and public parking lots, and suggested that the developer provide specific parking sites.

Referring to the active open space requirements, Mr. Ruane suggested that the City establish a recreation plan for the downtown area that would include an area designated specifically as the active recreation area for downtown. Another suggestion would be for the City to specify some of the “pocket parks” in the downtown area that a developer, by having access, could be forgiven for providing an active recreation area by contributing to an area specified by the City. Mr. Ruane explained that these would be areas within the City that could be built upon. As an added value, it was his feeling that such action would offset crime by providing youth in the area an alternative. Responding, Mrs. Townshend suggested that she meet with the Parks and Recreation Director to discuss the possibility of structuring this suggestion.

Mrs. Townshend recommended that the committee refer the proposed ordinance amendments back to staff to incorporate suggestions of committee members.

Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend that the proposed ordinance amendments be revised to include the suggestions of members and that it be brought back to the committee for further review and recommendation, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Mr. Ruane requested that when this matter is brought back to the committee, that staff present it in a contextual manner, inclusive of examples and transparency.

Overview of 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update

Mrs. Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, distributed a Timeline/Public Outreach Strategy for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update. She stated that the intern hired to work on this project is scheduled to begin working with the City on January 16, 2008. In order to obtain the desires of the public, she advised members that an RFP will be issued for a workshop facilitator.

Mr. Ruane suggested that staff meet with the various Council committees to obtain their comments and suggestions. He recommended that staff review the plan to determine which elements each committee should consider. This would assure that members of Council, as well as the two (2) lay members serving on each committee, will have had an opportunity to review and comment so that when it is presented to Council it truly reflects active participation by Council committees. Mr. Ruane recommended that these committee reviews be included on the timeline presented by staff. He also questioned the possibility of involving other interest groups such as housing, economic development, etc. that could be requested to review pertinent sections of the Comprehensive Plan Update for input.

In addition to specific topics, Mrs. Townshend requested that the agenda for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee include an update each month in order for members to be kept apprised of the status of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend approval of the Timeline/Public Outreach Strategy for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update, with the amendment that it be reflective of Council Committees input (Attachment #1). The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Mr. McGlumphy moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 1:13 P.M.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Sophia R. Russell

                                                                        Chairwoman

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Attachments

Attachment #1 - Timeline/Public Outreach Strategy for the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update