Minutes 01-31-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Commissioner Rich noted that at their last Board meeting, the Board had approved a Lands Legacy Action Plan and that she assumed the Board would not change anything in that plan. Commissioner Jacobs said that a Parks Master Plan is coming forward in May that may change the way they look at these issues. He said that different attorneys may interpret things differently, but he understands that Lands Legacy funds cannot be used for conservation easements because such properties are not open to the public. Some bond money did go to park development, but that's specifically what they told voters they would do. He mentioned that finding appropriate land to buy is a challenge - several properties are being looked at in the Upper Eno and Bingham Township. Michael Talbert added that such purchases are leveraged with other funds coming in. Paul Laughton summarized that the County portion of the CIP for 2014-15 on page 10 totals about $6.9 million. Commissioner Jacobs raised several questions and flags. They had deferred talking about the development of Blackwood Farm until after they had talked about the space needs. He said they don't have a placeholder for that yet, but based on their last board meeting, there may be some interest in moving that item up. He questioned the $400,000 for future planning for Southern Human Services Center. He said, not that they don't need it, but concerns about protection from the Chapel Hill development process led to a more adversarial relationship than they have now. He does not want to base public policy on trying to get through the process before more regulations kick in. Millhouse Road does not have a concept plan. The County needs a group, whether with Chapel Hill and/or Carrboro, or other partners, and talk about their vision for this land and get the public involved, then spend money on it. Lastly, he would like to elevate handicapped accessibility, both inside and outside County facilities. Funding is included in various budgets, and it is happening slowly, but he would like to have higher visibility for this in the CIP. Paul Laughton said they have talked with Asset Management Services about this topic recently. They have met with all staff about their CIP requests as of now, but they have not yet met with the Manager, so they are still going through projects with departments. They won't receive the schools' CIP until Feb. 7th (CHCCS) and OCS on Feb. 11th. Michael Talbert added that the Southern Orange campus is a long range planning issue, with three separate building sites that required individual special use permits and processes. They are trying to get the development rights for the long term and be able to plan for the next 20 years. Commissioner Rich asked about a development agreement process versus a SUP process for the site. Michael Talbert explained that the Town Council initially instructed staff to work on a development agreement, but later changed their minds to a special use process that the County is currently working under and moving forward on. There is no specific building in the SUP, but building sites with infrastructure the County wants to put in. Commissioner Rich suggested running the Millhouse Road property through the Intergovernmental Parks Work Group.