Agenda - 11-02-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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plitAFIT 4 VOTE: AYES, 6; NOES, 1 (STEVE YUHASZ) 097 6. PLANNING BOARD ITEMS A. DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) •- OPEN SPACE PLAN Marvin Collins presented a draft request for proposals for the preparation of a comprehensive open space plan for Orange County. In response to a need to address the issue of conservation of rural lands from a countywide perspective rather than limiting the focus to the Rural Buffer, a proposal was presented as part of the 1987-88 Planning Department budget to prepare an open space/conservation plan for Orange County, utilizing in-house staff and consultant services. Collins presented the request for proposals which outlines the scope of work to be performed. The study would consider the entire array of open space elements, including agricultural preservation, Duke Forest, floodplains, watershed protection, natural areas or environmentally sensitive areas, and elements such as utility easements, public and private lands, either existing or proposed, parks, university lands, etc. The remainder of the land would then be evaluated from the standpoint of development sensitivities. NOTE: STEVE YUHASZ LEFT THE MEETING AT 8:25. Collins continued that the study would (1) identify the open space network, (2) identify those lands left over and (3) establish an implementation plan for the open space network, including a review of current ordinances and what changes need to be made to develop a complete implementation program. Collins proposed that an Open Space Technical Advisory Committee be formed to review proposals and work with the consulting firm in prepar- ation of the open space plan. The Committee would be comprised of representatives from the agricultural community, the development sector, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council, the Triangle Land Conservancy, OWASA, Duke University, and the Planning Board of Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. A series of public meetings would be held to receive input from the citizens. If approved by the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners, the request would be sent to various consulting firms who have experience in the preparation of such studies. Collins presented a tentative time schedule. Barry Jacobs expressed concern that the study may not be done in time to include any items that may have a budgetary impact in the budget for 1988-89. Collins indicated he felt the study would be far enough along that these impacts would be known in time to be included in the budget. Peter Kramer expressed concern about giving the consultants so broad an objective. Collins stated that a lot of the work will involve the review of information already available - the Master Parks Plan (if adopted by the time the consultant starts) , the natural areas inventory, farm preservation, watershed protection studies, etc. MOTION Motion was made by Chris Best, seconded by Dan Eddleman to approve the draft request for proposals and the time schedule/methodology for selection of a consulting firm and to forward the request to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration of approval. VOTE: UNANIMOUS.