Minutes 03-28-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 Commissioner McKee asked if there a status update on the Lloyd's property. Susan Poulton said it has been purchased, but it is in limbo. She said the Planning Board has turned down two proposals. Commissioner Rich asked if there is a status update on the CVS property. Susan Poulton said this property has not come before the Planning Board. She said CVS owns the property. Chapel Hill Parks, Greenways and Recreation Commission — Mary Musacchia Mary Musacchia thanked the Board of County Commissioners for her appointment these past two terms, and she will be rolling off the Commission in June. She reviewed highlights, and the big issue is the Morgan Creek Trail. She said a bridge will be going across it, and this will be critical with connectivity. Mary Musacchia said another issue is that Orange County and Chapel Hill has shared relations on Millhouse property, and last year they had Chapel Hill to reach out to Orange County for planning purposes. She said there is etiquette to the process of communication, and the Commission believes this property needs planning attention that should start sooner rather than later. Mary Musacchia said another strong concern is the concept of inclusion playgrounds, which should be a standard for all parks. She said this is planned for Cedar Falls Park currently. Mary Musacchia said another topic is the Ephesus Fordham development. She said several years ago Chapel Hill did not include the Commission as part of the development process. She said staff is well involved, but the Commission is not included from a parks mentality. She said this area is at the southern end of Booker Creek, and she said the Commission recommended green space along Booker Creek, such as trails, benches, etc. She said daylighting requirements were also recommended, as well as a code modification for this type of district. She said the request was that 8% of the development be publically accessible. Mary Musacchia said another concern of the Commission is the Legion Road property. She said the Town of Chapel Hill chose not to exercise its right of first refusal, a decision, with which, the Commission disagreed. She said in December 2016, the American Legion Post purchased this 36-acre tract, which is adjacent to another 10-acre tract, which is a park. She said the entire area is about 46 acres and it about the size of a community park. She said Chapel Hill is currently considering how it would be able to purchase all of this land. She said there is strong consideration for whether or not some portion of that land should be sold, once it is acquired, or should there be a public-private partnership, etc. She strongly urged the Board of County Commissioners that this is one of the densest sections of Orange County, and it is an opening to the treasured asset that is the Town of Chapel Hill. She said there are not adequate facilities to handle the residents from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County, and she implored the County to be involved in the future of this land. She said she advocates keeping the parcel a contiguous property, and using it as a community park. Mary Musacchia said her final topic is summer camps, which were full within six hours of registration being opened. She said there are waiting lists, even though camps have been expanded to include 80 additional slots at Frank Porter Graham. She said the camps cannot be expanded further because facilities are maxed out. She asked the BOCC to consider that the Legion Road property could also be a possible site for future camps, inclusive playgrounds, etc. Commissioner Rich thanked her for her service, and encouraged her to look for another board on which she could serve.