PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on
September 13, 2005, at 12:00 p.m. with Chairman Sadusky presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Long, and Mr. Truitt. Mr. Pitts was absent. Mr. Carey was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Ruane moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Neighborhood Open Space - Stratford Place Apartments: Request for Partial Cash-in-Lieu of Recreation Area Construction
In accordance with Article 5, Section 10, Subsection 10.16 of the Zoning Code, all residential developments shall provide recreational areas in a size equal to 275 square feet per dwelling unit, or one-half acre of land, whichever is greater. However, in no case shall the City require more than 10% of the gross area of the development be so dedicated or reserved when the gross area is greater than five (5) acres.
Members reviewed an active recreation plan and a request for cash-in-lieu of recreation area for the Stratford Place Apartments, located on the south side of North Little Creek Road between Acorn Lane and SR1, which consists of three apartment buildings; a total of (72) dwelling units, on 4.7+/- acres. Ms. Melson of the Planning and Inspections Department reviewed the Active Recreation Plan, noting that the plan proposes an area of open space totaling 0.2382 acres. The Plan includes a playground structure, swing set, benches, horseshoe pits, and an open lawn area. Due to the space available on the development parcel and the number of units within the apartment complex, the applicant is requesting the opportunity to make a cash donation in lieu of a portion of the required Active Recreation Area. Members reviewed a Summary Appraisal Report for the property at 1462 North Little Creek Road, which identifies the final value estimate of the property to be $101,000 per acre. According to the City Tax Assessor’s Office, the property was reassessed at $75,750.00 per acre. For the .5 acres of land that is required for this area, the request is to provide 0.2382 acres for the Active Recreation Area and offer a cash-in-lieu donation for the remaining 0.2617 acres, which would result in a cash donation in the amount of $26,431.70.
Staff recommended approval of the following for the Active Recreation Plan and Request for Cash-in-Lieu of Recreation Area Construction (woodland, wetland, and stormwater facilities):
1. As related to the recreation area components to be constructed:
a.Change the placement of at least one of the benches near the horseshoe pits to a location in closer proximity to the sidewalk (accessible path).
b.Add or relocate evergreen landscape plantings to create a barrier between the west side of the stormwater management facility and the playground area. A fence could also be added to separate these two areas.
c.Adjust placement of Red Maple trees to create a large open lawn area in the southwest corner of the property. An adjustment in the tree placement could provide increased opportunities for shading of the benches near the playground area and the horseshoe pits area.
2. The applicant should be aware 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.
3. Staff recommended approval of a cash donation of $26,431.70 in lieu of Recreation Area construction for the remaining 0.2617 acres (11,402 S.F.) required to meet the 0.5 acre minimum.
Article 5 §10.175 Payment of Cash Donation. One hundred (100) percent cash donation provided under this section shall be collected prior to issuing the first building permit for the development.
4. There shall be provisions which insure that the common open space land shall continue as such and be properly managed and maintained. These provisions shall be in a form acceptable to the City of Dover. 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.
Responding to Mr. Ruane’s question on fencing for the stormwater management pond or enclosing the playground area, Mr. Jones from Becker Morgan Group, Inc. agreed with the Public Works Director, Mr. Koenig, that the fencing would become an aesthetic and maintenance issue. Although staff is currently reviewing the possibility of an ordinance amendment that would require fencing around stormwater ponds for safety reasons, Mr. Ruane noted that, in addition to serving a purpose, stormwater ponds were also considered a community feature. As traveling through the City, he has observed aesthetic problems with the stormwater ponds and questioned if staff had any ideas to remedy these problems. Responding, Mr. Koenig indicated that he recently attended a stormwater management presentation and suggested that the information be provided to members at a future meeting.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the Neighborhood Open Space - Stratford Place Apartments: Request for partial cash-in-lieu of recreation area construction, as well as the staff recommendations contained in the report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that members be provided a presentation on stormwater management by the Public Works Director at a future meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:24 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Sadusky
Chairman
RMS/jcr
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