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4 <br />3 <br />Committee, in addition to requesting representation from specific boazds and commissions, <br />including the Board of County Commissioners. The Homestead Park Aquatic/Community Center <br />Conceptual Plan Committee's charge is to work with staff and a consultant to seek community <br />input for the project and to ultimately develop both an interim and a final report to Council. <br />Because of the early Council involvement, we aze confident this process will lead to a completed <br />project. <br />Overall, we have used the conceptual plan process with great success. Conceptual plan <br />development allows us to study the land in broad terms in the most cost effective manner. It <br />involves neighbors, at-large citizens, advisory baazd members, and members of directly affected <br />groups. Finally, the process allows elected officials to review the project in their role as <br />"owners" rather than as "regulators" and to have their input included throughout the planning <br />.process. Once the Council approves the conceptual plan, more detailed drawings are prepared, <br />funding established and contracts let..Tnere need be no delays. . <br />Conceptual plans have led to several successful projects including Homestead Park, Northside <br />Gymnasium, Battle Branch Trail, and both phases of the Bolin Creek Trail. We used the <br />approved conceptual plan of the Dry Creek Trail to secure three sepazate grants, and that project <br />is being .implemented segment by segment. The concept plan for the Booker Creek Linear Pazk is <br />the basis of several potential grant applications. Conceptual plans also give us leverage in our <br />dealings with developers and organizations such as NCDOT. <br />We believe that a conceptual plan for the Southern Community Park is the most cost effective <br />way to plan for development of the site. It would permit everyone to share his or her concerns, <br />reveal problems azeas early in the process, establish cost estimates, and allow elected officials to <br />give cleaz direction for development of the site. Once the Council adopts a plan, we would be <br />able to use the rema;,,;ng County band funds and other resources as they aze available to begin <br />incremental implementation of the plan. <br />I trust this addresses concerns raised by the Boazd of Commissioners. Thank you for your <br />willingness to help meet the park aad recreation needs in southern Orange County. We look <br />forward to your response. <br />Sincerely, <br />oS ~P w~ <br />Mayor Rosemary aldorf <br />C: Chapel Hill Town Council <br />