Agenda - 12-05-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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22 1 0 Land selected primarily for natural resource / conservation values 2 0 Proposed name— headwaters of Old Field Creek 3 4 Site Map 5 6 Recommended Actions 7 1. Announce intention to use for open space and low-impact recreation 8 2. Enroll in Lands Legacy Program as Headwaters Nature Preserve 9 3. Authorize reimbursement as per FY 2016-21 CIP 10 4. Direct staff to return with master plan and implementation schedule 11 12 Commissioner Price asked if there is a way to access this property. 13 David Stancil said the property is landlocked, and access would be through the Greene 14 Tract, or via the properties to the north. 15 Commissioner Jacobs commended staff for using the low impact recreation verbiage. 16 Commissioner Jacobs said it will take years to develop a plan for the Greene Tract, and 17 limiting access for that long is unacceptable to him. He said the other owners of the Greene 18 Tract should be informed that the County plans to allow access to the Headwaters Preserve via 19 the Greene Tract. He said if there is an objection it can be dealt with; but if there is no 20 objection, the land should be accessible with an "enter at your own risk" posting. 21 Commissioner Dorosin suggested that a trail should be in place. 22 Commissioner Jacobs said there is already a trail, and suggested using what is there, 23 after it has been checked by County staff for major ruts or obstacles. He said it is important to 24 just get people using it. 25 David Stancil said staff will look at the volunteer trails, which will probably need to be 26 fixed, but are usable. 27 Commissioner Price asked if an easement could be requested to allow access to this 28 nature preserve. 29 David Stancil said the simplest thing to do would be to get a temporary trail easement. 30 Chair McKee said access would require an agreement with Chapel Hill and Carrboro, 31 and asked if a dedicated easement for future access could come off of Lizzie Lane. 32 John Roberts said there may be an existing easement to use. 33 34 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 35 RESOLUTION 36 To Designate and Create the "Headwaters Nature Preserve" 37 38 WHEREAS, Orange County owns 60 acres of land south of Eubanks Road, west of Purefoy 39 Drive, north of Homestead Road and west of the North Carolina Railroad on the north side of 40 Chapel Hill; and 41 42 WHEREAS, the location of this property makes it conducive for public open space and low 43 impact recreation — including trails, picnic tables and wildlife viewing areas —for the surrounding 44 neighborhoods and the Rogers-Eubanks community; and 45 46 WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners of March, 2000 — citing the 47 natural resources present on site - expressed an intention to keep this 60 acres of land 48 undisturbed; and 49