Agenda - 10-17-2000-9d - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 17, 2000 Action Ager~da~ _. Item No. ~` SUBJECT: Use and Access Plan -McGowan Creek Preserve DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Use and Access Plan David Stancil, ext 2590 Property Orthophoto (1993) Rich Shaw, ext 2591 Proposed Site Development Plan TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Proposed Signage Plan Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a proposal for the future public access and use of the McGowan Creek Preserve, a new 63-acre County park located west of Hillsborough on US 70, and a menu of signage options for such County natural area parklands. BACKGROUND: On March 31 of this year, Orange County purchased .this former piece of Duke Forest from Duke University. The tract was acquired with a matching grant from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund for purposes of watershed protection and the provision of open space in an urbanizing area along the US 70 corridor. The property, now termed the McGowan Creek Preserve, lies adjacent to Corporation Lake in the critical area of the Upper Eno watershed. A proposed plan for the development and use of the preserve for limited public recreation is attached, including staffs thoughts on an entrance driveway, parking area, restroom, walking trails and signage. While there are no funds for park development currently allocated, the planning for eventual park use can be accomplished at this time. Because of the site's location in a watershed critical area and the need to preserve the natural state of the property,. only limited development for public use is permitted outside of the area subject to a conservation easement held by the State of North Carolina. In addition to the use and access plan, staff has developed a menu of signage (attached) proposed for use at this and future County parks that contain sensitive natural areas or low- impact recreation uses. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Developing the site for these public uses will require future expenditures of County funds, which are as yet unbudgeted. The estimated costs for site development is about $60,000, including tum lane ($30,000), gravel driveway and parking area ($12,000), rustic toilet facility ($15,000) and signage ($3,000). Possible sources for site development might include payment-in-lieu funds or the remaining funds from the 1997 Parks bond for facility development.