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- z <br /> Potential Recreational Use of OWASA Property <br /> October 15 , 1998 <br /> Page 3 <br /> Elevated Tank Sites — The NRTS Committee suggested that alternative uses be <br /> considered at existing tank sites as long as they don ' t interfere with : OWASA' s <br /> operational needs for access and maintenance .+ The Committee recommended that no <br /> alternatives be considered on the two properties reserved for future tank sites until <br /> specific design and regulatory requirements are testablished. . <br /> Authority to Allow Alternative Uses <br /> Throughout its discussions , the Committee recognized .that the authority to allow <br /> recreational uses of OWASA property often lies outside of OWASA' s control . For . <br /> example, OWASA might agree to certain low-impact activities on its sewer easements <br /> and rights of way; but legally, OWASA may not acquire utility easements for non- <br /> It <br /> utilitarian purposes such as recreation : - Successful greenway partnerships with Chapel. <br /> Hill or Carrboro would likely require the Towns- to act as lead agencies in acquiring <br /> multi-purpose easements and then granting utility rights to -OWASA. <br /> Similar situations are evident at OWASA ' s elevated tank sites and at the 500-acre Cane <br /> Creek mitigation tract. Any alternative use of the- 46 acres of OWASA land surrounding <br /> the Nunn Mountain and, Hilltop water tanks is strictly controlled by Special Use Permit . <br /> conditions of the ' Town of Chapel Hill: - The 500 -acre Cane Creek mitigation tract was <br /> acquired ' 1980 to comply with requirements of the . U . S , Fish and Wildlife Service and <br /> the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Because these requirements became <br /> permit conditions for the Cane Creek Reservoir project; - any alternative use of that tract <br /> would likely require approval by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. <br /> These examples illustrate1hat OWASA does not have unilateral authority to allow <br /> alternative uses on all of its property. The NRTS Committee noted that the <br /> implementation of some recreational proposals with community-wide benefits will <br /> require collaboration by other governmental s nmental entities' uraddition to OWASA, working . <br /> — toward a common goal . ant <br /> - _ <br /> Staff Recommendations <br /> I recommend that this memorandum and attachments be ' reviewed by the Board of - <br /> Directors .and, if appropriate, provided to. Orange County ' s Joint Master Recreation and <br /> Parks Plan Work Group . <br /> Edward- A. Holland, AICP <br /> Director of Planning and Development <br /> attachments <br /> PROP! TO B OF � t�' 0 <br /> AP D& 1 1 <br />