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4. RPAC forwarded its recommendation to the Planning Board for consideration. The Planning <br />Board, in turn, voted 4 -4 and forwarded no recommendation to the Board of County <br />Commissioners. <br />5. The proposed McGowan Creek pedestrian trail could be envisioned along both sides of the creek <br />from Richmond Road to the new County -owned McGowan Creek Preserve. Thus far, three other <br />subdivisions (Major Subdivisions), have apportioned or will apportion land along the creek for the <br />proposed walking trail. They are Richmond Hills, McGowan Creek, and Ashwick. McGowan <br />Creek and Ashwick are still in the preliminary stages of the review process, however, the <br />developers have agreed in principle to a land dedication. Efland- Cheeks Elementary School is <br />connected to the corridor and wildlife and botanical education could eventually be conducted. <br />Temporary access will be provided to these land dedications from other public properties such as <br />a public road for maintenance and monitoring until other public access connections can be made. <br />6. Section IV -13-2 (see attached) also notes various options for Resource Protection Area (RPA) <br />preservation. In this case, option (c) is recommended by staff. <br />RECOMMENDATION: Original Planning Staff and ERCD Recommendation <br />Approval of subdivision with the following condition: <br />Dedicate the entire width of the floodplain, which is approximately 80' wide. <br />Planning Staff (Pre-Planning Board Recommendation) <br />Approval of the subdivision application with the following condition: <br />Dedicate a 10 -ft. wide contiguous parcel at the outside edge of the McGowan <br />Creek floodplain as indicated on the attached map. <br />Planning Board <br />Split vote: Ayes, 4; Noes,4 (McAdams, Barrows, Strayhorn, Goodwin) <br />Administration <br />The Administration recommends that the County receive the land dedication <br />as a wildlife and resource protection corridor with a provision that public <br />access within the corridor will not be considered unless and until the <br />dedicated property is connected with other publicly owned recreation /open <br />space property. <br />NOTE: THIS ACTION PRESERVES OPEN SPACE NOW. IT ALSO RESERVES <br />THE LAND DEDICATION FOR FUTURE LOW IMPACT RECREATION USE UNTIL <br />OTHER DEDICATIONS OCCUR IN THE AREA. <br />