Orange County NC Website
6 <br /> <br />to the momentum behind that project. She said the house at Little River Regional Park is a <br />small enough project to continue, but Blackwood Farm Park and Cedar Grove Park should be <br />delayed. <br />Commissioner McKee asked if the total on these parks is about $40 million, less a bit if <br />one removes the cost share for Millhouse Road Park with the Town of Chapel Hill. <br />David Stancil said about $35 to $36 million total cost, over a ten-year period. He said <br />this amount does not account for any grant funding. <br />Commissioner McKee asked if the anticipated amount of grant funding is known. <br />David Stancil said with Fairview Park, the County was able to leverage 40% of the <br />funding from grants. He said grant sources have maxed out recently, so requests need to be <br />spaced out. He said breaking projects into phases, is helpful. <br />Commissioner McKee said there is $540,000 in payment in lieu (PIL ) funds, and asked <br />if the amount of PIL funds generated yearly could be identified. <br />David Stancil said prior to the 2008 a larger amount of PIL funds were generated. He <br />said the PIL formula is from 1987, and staff is looking to update but now. He said the current <br />amount is $422/lot, which does not generate many funds. <br />Commissioner McKee said PIL is basically negligible going forward. <br />David Stancil said once the $540,000 is spent, it will take considerable time to <br />accumulate significant funds. <br />Commissioner McKee agreed with Commissioner Burroughs, and he said it would be <br />better to finish existing parks, and delay starting new ones. He said he has a problem with <br />letting parkland “sit”, but he is nervous about the County’s $7 million deficit this year, as well as <br />future expenses. He asked if the County can fund $30 million for parks, where will the County <br />find the remaining funds, other than from the taxpayer. <br />David Stancil said historically funds have come from a bond referendum. <br />Commissioner McKee said the demand for school facilities is going to override <br />everything else. He said this recent school bond is only the beginning. He said the County <br />must be cautious in how it proceeds, and beware of the promises it makes. <br />Commissioner Rich said she agrees and disagrees. She said things like the <br />soccer.com fields are good, and are an economic development opportunity. She said not all <br />parks are equal, and when looking at these projects, it is important to be mindful of what some <br />parks bring in to the County in terms of economic development. <br />Chair Dorosin asked if article 46 sales tax can be used on soccer.com. <br />David Stancil said the Visitor’s Bureau has numbers regarding the economic benefit of <br />the soccer.com facility. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said soccer.com is located where it is, in order to generate <br />economic development. <br />Commissioner Jacobs it may be wise to prioritize these projects. He said if Bingham <br />Park is removed, one quarter of the necessary funding is removed. He said Bingham Park <br />could be put in over the next ten years. He said the MST will serve Bingham. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked if the parks base fits into this planning process. <br />David Stancil said it is currently listed as part of Blackwood Farm Park, in the third <br />phase. He said it is unlikely that Blackwood Farm would be the location for it, but that is where <br />it is in the current adopted capital investment plan (CIP). <br />Commissioner Jacobs said if the base is being moved to another site, nearer to <br />Hillsborough, it would be possible to sell the Revere Road property, and use the funds to pay <br />for what is being built at the Baird-Ruston complex. He said the funds could be ear marked for <br />a certain percentage for each of the projects that go there, or put it all on one project. He said <br />this may help defray some of the cost.