PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on July 13, 2009, at 12:00 noon with Chairwoman Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. Hogan, Mrs. Horsey, and Mr. Lewis. Mr. Ruane was absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hogan moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Parks and Recreation/Open Space Plans - Review of Active Recreation Areas - Leander Lakes Apartments
In accordance with Article 5, Section 10, of the Zoning Code, all residential developments shall provide Open Space and an Active Recreation Plan, which must be reviewed by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee for a recommendation prior to consideration of the Conditional Use Site Plan by the Planning Commission. Subsection 10.7 of Article 5, Section 10, of the Zoning Code requires that all areas planned for public dedication, or cash donations provided under this section, must be submitted to and approved by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee and shall be subject to final review and approval by City Council prior to acceptance by the Planning Commission.
Leander Lakes Apartments consists of approximately 30+/- acres of land, situated on the south side of Forrest Avenue, east of Artis Drive, owned by Jireh Christian Center (equitable owner is Rinnier Development Company). Members were advised that the Site Plan is to permit the construction of ten (10) apartment buildings for a total of 240 units and a clubhouse building.
Members were provided the Active Recreation Plan for Leander Lakes Apartments (as on file in the City Clerk’s Office). In reviewing the plan, Ms. Cornwell, Planner II, indicated that the plan indicates that 88,942 S.F. (2.04+/- acres) of land would be reserved as Active Recreation Area. The Active Recreation Areas are located throughout the site. The proposed amenities include a clubhouse with a swimming pool located directly behind it, a play area that contains a swing set and a see-saw, three (3) barbeque/picnic areas, a dog park, and a walking path. Staff noted that the walking path is located within thirty (30) feet of a residential property line; however, the code requirement is meant to buffer the active recreation areas from other residential uses. The walking path is for the entire apartment complex and will be utilized by all residences.
Upon review of the Recreation Plan for Leander Lakes Apartments, the Department of Planning and Inspections staff submitted the following recommendations:
1.The proposed plan meets the area requirements for the Active Recreation Area. The plan is required to provide 1.5151 acres of Active Recreation Area and it is proposing 2.04 acres of Active Recreation Area.
2.Staff recommends approval of the swimming pool, clubhouse, the swing set, see-saw, barbeque/picnic areas, dog park, and walking path with comments and conditions provided below.
3.The following items should be included on the Plan to clarify the construction of the recreation area improvements:
a.A list of the proposed features needs to be provided on the Active Recreation Plan (i.e., the number of benches and the details of the items).
b.Show tree planting locations on the Active Recreation Plan.
c.Provide lighting around the Active Recreation Areas.
d.Lawn areas shall be appropriate planted (seeded or sodded) and maintained for active recreation activities.
e.Indicate the method of trash collection for the picnic tables and barbeque areas.
f.Provide a detail for the picnic tables.
g.Indicate the location of the fence and gates around the pool.
h.Indicate the location of any other fence on the property.
i.Label the fence around the swimming pool and deck area.
j. Label the gates into the pool area.
k.Clarify the square footage of the clubhouse. It appears that half of the clubhouse will be utilized as Active Recreation Area.
l.Clarify the dimensions of the Active Recreation Areas. The square footage amounts do not seem to correspond to the dimensions shown on the plan.
m.Provide the proposed property lines on the Plan Sheets.
n.Provide the drive aisle for the entrance to the church on the Plan Sheets.
o.Recalculate the square footage of the walking path after the church drive aisle has been added to the Plan Sheets.
p.Provide an accessible route to the playground and dog park.
q.Provide at least one accessible picnic table.
r.Indicate any landscaping/plantings around the stormwater management areas/ponds.
s.Indicate the age range for the see-saw.
4.Indicate the following items for the dog park:
a.Indicate if there will be a fence around the dog park area.
b.If there is a fence, indicate where the gate is for the dog park.
c.Provide rules for the dog park, including the location of the rules at the dog park.
d.Provide information for the dog park including (but not limited to): method of trash collection, surface material, water fountain, etc.
5.The applicant is reminded of the requirements for construction phasing of the recreation area as associated with the development of the residential units.
Article 5 §10.6 Construction Phasing. The recreation and open space areas shall be completed in a proportion equal to or greater than the proportion of residential dwelling units completed, except that one hundred (100) percent of the recreation and open space areas shall be completed prior to issuing building permits for the final twenty (20) percent of the dwelling units proposed. Building permits shall not be issued for dwelling units unless the requirements of this section are met.
6.There shall be provisions which insure that the common open space land (including active recreation area) shall continue as such and be properly managed and maintained. The developer shall either retain ownership and responsibility for maintenance of such open land; or provide for and establish one (1) or more organizations for the ownership and maintenance of all common open space, i.e., a Homeowners Association. The organization shall be responsible for maintenance, insurance, and taxes on the common open space.
a.Add a note on the Site Plan regarding who is responsible for maintenance, insurance and taxes on the common open space.
7.In the event that major changes and revisions to the Site Plan occur in the finalization of the Site Plan, contact the Department of Planning and Inspections. Examples include reorientation of buildings, relocation of site components like stormwater management areas, and increases in floor area. These changes may require resubmittal for review by the Development Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, or other agencies and commissions making recommendations in regards to the plan.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend approval of the open space/active recreation plan for the Leander Lakes Apartments, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Report on Spray Park
Mr. Carter, Parks and Recreation Director, advised members that a Spray Park has been submitted for consideration in the City’s budget for the past couple of years; however, due to the economy, it was eliminated from the budget. He noted that a Spray Park provides a means for citizens to cool off during the hot summer months without the costs or health issues associated with a swimming pool.
Mr. Carter advised members that there are two (2) options for building a spray park: a “water to waste” system or “re-circulation system”. With the water to waste system, water is provided by the city potable water supply. The used water is then drained into the city storm or sanitation system or is collected and used for irrigation or other ground water replenishing systems. With the re-circulation system, water draws fresh from the city’s water supply and uses a water holding tank, pumps, filters, chemical controllers, and UV radiation treatment to treat the water.
Members were provided diagrams as examples of Spray Parks. Mr. Carter stated that two (2) locations have been considered for the park, Silver Lake and Schutte Park, and reviewed the system cost estimates, as follows (he noted that the cost estimates do not include the water line and electric to the site locations):
Water to Waste System
Schutte Park Silver Lake
With building $226,550.54 With building $254,450.54
Without building $195,175.54 Without building $224,075.54
Re-circulation System
Schutte Park Silver Lake
With building $292,406.77 With building $325,831.77
Without building $262,506.77 Without building $293,931.77
Several members relayed their support of the Spray Park concept.
The committee took no action.
St. Jones Watershed Coordinator
Mr. Carter, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that for the past couple of years, staff has been attempting to hire a Lake Manager for Silver Lake and has been working with the State of Delaware, Division of Water Resource (Mr. Lyle Jones). The State has obtained funding to hire a part-time St. Jones Watershed Coordinator. He advised members that Silver Lake is a big part of that Watershed. Mr. Carter introduced the new Coordinator, Ms. Kate O’Brien. He stated that it is hoped that this position will become full-time.
Mr. Dave Edgell, Chair of Silver Lake Commission, explained the difficulty of addressing the types of improvements required with only volunteers. He is hopeful that Ms. O’Brien’s expertise and abilities will result in the implementation of improvements.
Ms. O’Brien stated that she is employed with the DNREC (Soil and Water) and is responsible for implementing and overseeing projects within the St. Jones Watershed.
The committee took no action.
Updates
Members were provided the following updates:
Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update
Mr. Koenig, Director of Public Services, advised members that the FY2010 budget includes funds for the preparation of the Letter of Map Revisions. Once the budget is adopted, staff will be discussing the development of the Letter of Map Revisions; however, its development cannot move forward until there is an as-built elevation drawing of the Governors Avenue bridge. He stated that the bridge deck is complete and that the work on the Puncheon Run Stream Channel around the pump station is expected to be completed by mid-September. He anticipates taking the Letter of Map Revisions to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) in November/December and requesting that they consider a Map Revision. The City can then provide this information to property owners in the area to assist them in obtaining relief from flood insurance requirements.
Responding to Mrs. Horsey, Mr. Koenig stated that the bridge deck is complete; however, the approaches to the bridge are still under construction. To his knowledge, the contractor anticipates opening the bridge to traffic in August.
Planning and Funding for New Library
Ms. Cyr, Library Director, reviewed update information regarding the planning and funding for the new Library.
CDBG Program
Mrs. Harvey, Community Development Director, reviewed the Status of the FY2008 CDBG Program provided to members.
Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 Funds (Neighborhood Stabilization Fund)
Mrs. Harvey, Community Development Director, advised members that although two (2) Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) have been received from City of Dover partners, she is awaiting one (1) additional memorandum, which she anticipates receiving by Friday, July 17th. She is also awaiting an outline of services from the Kent County Board of Realtors to determine their commission and fees. The Board of Realtors will then provide the City of Dover with real estate listings to assist in the purchase of foreclosed properties.
Youth Advisory Committee
Mrs. Russell advised members that, since there were not enough members for a quorum at the last Youth Advisory Committee meeting, there was a “round table” discussion regarding potential activities.
Mr. Hogan moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sophia R. Russell
Chairwoman
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