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MEMORANDUM <br /> parking. <br /> Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee Comments: The Committee did not agree <br /> with the recommendation to provide parking closer to the athletic fields. They did agree that, if <br /> possible, the picnic shelter should be moved closer to the parking lot. <br /> Staff Comments: We agree with the Committee that parking cannot be provided in proximity to all <br /> park amenities. We concur with their recommendation that activity centers that attract small <br /> children and families should be located closer to parking than facilities that'attract older children and <br /> adults. The only other possible location for additional parking would be in the site reserved for a <br /> possible additional athletic field. We agree with the Committee that this space should be reserved <br /> for that purpose. <br /> We believe that it may be possible to shift the location of the large picnic shelter closer to the main <br /> parking lot. However, we believe that level of detail is best determined during development of the <br /> Special Use Permit application. <br /> 8. Pond Safety: A member of the Community Design Commission expressed a safety concern about <br /> the stormwater management ponds proposed to be located along the western property line. The <br /> Commission member noted that the ponds would be in relatively close to the Scroggs School. <br /> Staff Comments: The exact number, size, dimensions and location of the stormwater management <br /> ponds have not yet been determined. We would normally expect to address details about the ponds <br /> during the Special Use Permit phase of the project. We agree with the Commission member that <br /> public safety should be a central issue during the design stage of the ponds. We believe that side <br /> slopes can be minimized, access controlled, and water depth controlled to make the ponds as safe as <br /> possible while still retaining their function. We also believe that building more than one facility <br /> would allow us to increase the safety factor by reducing the depth of each individual pond. <br /> 9. Picnic Area Issues: A member of the Community Design Commission suggested that the area <br /> reserved for a future community center be used on a temporary basis for picnicking. A Planning <br /> Board member suggested that smaller picnic shelters would work better than the one large shelter <br /> proposed in the plan. <br /> Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee Comments: The Committee reviewed these <br /> recommendations and voted to recommend that the area reserved for the future community center be <br /> used as a temporary picnic area. They also voted to recommend that the large picnic shelter remain <br /> in the plan. <br /> Staff Comments: The Town currently has 5 small picnic shelters in Hargraves, Homestead, North <br /> Forest Hills, and Umstead parks. In addition, the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan <br /> proposes 3 smaller shelters. We agree with the Committee that the Town should own one large <br /> shelter suitable for large group gatherings such as family reunions, class reunions, and other large <br /> gatherings, and that it should remain in the plan as is. <br /> 10. Traffic Calming: The Transportation Board and a member of the Planning Board recommended <br /> the inclusion of traffic calming improvements, including raised pedestrian crosswalks with <br /> signals, along Dogwood Acres Drive. A member of the Community Design Commission also <br /> noted that signage would be crucial to maintain a safe trail crossing of Dogwood Acres Drive. <br /> Staff Comments: The conceptual plan currently proposes that the Town take control of and maintain <br />