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Potential Recreational Use of OWASA Property October 15 , 1998 Page 3 Elevated Tank Sites — The NRTS Committee suggested that alternative uses be considered at existing tank sites as long as they don ' t interfere with OWASA ' s operational needs for access and maintenance . The Committee recommended that no alternatives be considered on the two properties reserved for future tank sites until specific design and regulatory requirements are established . i Authority to Allow Alternative Uses j Throughout its discussions , the Committee recognized that the authority to allow recreational uses of OWASA property often lies outside of OWASA ' s control . For example , OWASA might agree to certain low-impact activities on its sewer easements and rights of way ; but legally, OWASA may not acquire utility easements for non- utilitarian purposes such as recreation . Successful greenway partnerships with Chapel Hill or Carrboro would likerequire' t e to act as lead a likely h Towns 1 agencies in acquiring � Yg q g i multi -purpose easements and then granting utility rights to OWASA . Similar situations are evident at OWASA ' s elevated tank sites and at the 500- acre Cane Creek mitigation tract . Any alternative use of the 46 acres of OWASA land surrounding the Nunn Mountain and Hilltop water tanks is strictly controlled by Special Use Permit — conditions of the Town of Chapel Hill . The 500 - acre Cane Creek mitigation tract was acquired in 1980 to comply with requirements of the U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Because these requirements- became permit conditions for the Cane Creek Reservoir project, an alternative use of that tract p P J � Y would likely require approval by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. These examples illustrate that OWASA does not have unilateral authority to allow alternative uses on all of its property . The NRTS Committee noted that the implementation of some recreational proposals with community-wide benefits will - require collaboration by other governmental entities , in addition to OWASA , working - toward a common goal . Staff Recommendations I recommend that this memorandum and attachments be reviewed by the Board of - Directors and, if appropriate, provided to Orange County ' s Joint Master Recreation and Parks Plan Work Group . Edward A . Holland , AICP Director of Planning and Development attachments PROV1 M BOA,RO OF APP Datei o � �