PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT

The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on June 14, 2005, at 12:00 p.m. with Chairman Sadusky presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr.  Pitts, Mr. Long and Mr. Truitt.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Pitts moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.

Neighborhood Open Space - Somerset Park Subdivision: Request for Cash-in-Lieu of Recreation Area Construction

Members considered a request for cash-in-lieu of recreation area construction for the Somerset Park Subdivision. In accordance with Article 5, Section 10, Subsection 10.17 of the Zoning Code, if the commission determines that the construction of recreation is not practical due to close proximity to existing available recreation facilities or infeasible due to natural characteristics of the land or will not benefit the residents of the development, the commission shall require a full or partial cash in lieu of areas of donation to be made by the developer in lieu of a full or partial dedication of land. Also, in accordance with Article 5, Section 10, Subsection 10.173, the cash donation shall be equivalent to the appraised value of land area required in Section 10.16 of the Zoning Code. For the Somerset Park Subdivision, the cash donation based on the submitted appraised raw land value is $38,573.80 per acre. For the .5 acres of land that is required for this area, the amount of cash donation is $19,286.90

Ms. Dawn Melson of the Planning and Inspections Department presented the request for cash-in-lieu of recreation area construction for Somerset Park Subdivision, which proposes a total of fourteen (14) residential units on 12.5733^+/- acres.

Staff provided the following review of the request for cash-in-lieu of recreation area construction. A recommendation is also provided regarding the other proposed open space areas (woodland, wetland, and stormwater facilities):

1.Staff recommended approval of a cash donation of $19,286.90 in lieu of recreation area construction.

2.The applicant should be aware of the requirements for payment of the cash in lieu of recreation area construction as associated with the development of the residential units.

Article 5 §10.175 Payment of Cash Donation. One hundred (100) percent cash donation provided under this section shall be collected prior to issuing the first building permit for the development.

3.There shall be provisions which insure that the common open space land shall continue as such and be properly managed and maintained. These provisions shall be in a form acceptable to the City of Dover. The developer shall either retain ownership and responsibility for maintenance of such open land; or provide for and establish one (1) or more organizations for the ownership and maintenance of all common open space i.e. a Homeowners Association. The organization shall be responsible for maintenance, insurance and taxes on the common open space.

Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the Neighborhood Open Space - Somerset Park Subdivision: Request for cash-in-lieu of recreation area construction, as well as the staff recommendations contained in the report on the basis that it is infeasible due to natural characteristics of the land as stated in the Dover Code of Ordinances, Appendix B, Article 5, Section 10.171. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.

Responding to Mr. Ruane, Ms. Melson advised that at this time, staff does not have the City Assessor’s Office review any appraisals that are submitted to their office for the purpose of cash-in-lieu.

Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that the Department of Planning and Inspections procedurally incorporate into their review, an opportunity for the City Assessor’s Office to look at any appraisals that are submitted for the purpose of cash-in-lieu. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.

Mr. Long moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 12:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robert M. Sadusky

                                                                                    Chairman

RMS/rm

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20056-14-2005 PR&CE.wpd