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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks And Recreation Board - Minutes - 01/27/1999Call Meeting to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by President Lance Freeman. Agenda Review: No changes to the printed agenda. Items of Note: Lance explained that we have two neighborhood groups present this evening. We will begin with the West Central Neighborhood followed by the Parks and Trails Rules and Regulations. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Jessica MacMillan, seconded by Diane Thies, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 18, 1998. Citizen Participation West Central Neighborhood: Hal Werth spoke to the Board on behalf of the West Central Neighborhood. He chairs a group called "Neighborhood Characters". The West Central Neighborhood planning area borders Lake Street, Shields, Mulberry, Taft Hill, and Drake Road. He hopes the Board, City staff, and the neighborhood can come to some consensus with this plan as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Policy Plan. He feels all four quadrants of the West Central Neighborhood lack in neighborhood parks within walking or biking distance from residents. Rolland Moore Park serves as a community and neighborhood park for the south west quadrant of the neighborhood. If the CSURF property is designated for the Horticulture Center, the plans indicate an adjoining neighborhood park. He referred to the Young Pasture where the property value is very high, and the neighborhood would like to see it stay as an open space property. The northwest quadrant is their greatest concern. The Parks and Recreation Policy Plan states that Avery Park is their neiahhnrly no l narl,. h.�ii,A..�. l,A ,��oc.._'r fyol ;t —'22+c Ueienr10r1 ponU ano Parks and Recreation Board Minute January 27, 1999 Page 2 surrounding wet land. They would like to see a pocket park across the street from the Bennett School. He says there is support of this from Poudre School District. Hal thinks that the money for this park could come from the General Fund or the next capital improvements plan. They understand that Council needs to make these decisions. He further stated this area has the highest density in the City. Lance pointed out that we do include the detention areas as part of the park. Therefore the size of Avery Park (including the stormwater detention) is 17.9 acres. Marilyn asked if these houses were built prior to parkland fee? Janet Meisel Burns said that the majority of the neighborhood didn't pay parkland fees, which began in 1968. The neighborhood would like to add the Bennett site and Young's pasture site as parkland acquisitions in the future. Hal said in accordance with City Plan, we need more parks in that area. He further said that PSD is interested in having a park in this area. However, financing has not been discussed with PSD. Marilyn asked if these properties are on the market? Answer is no. Hal said that shouldn't be a factor at this point. Paul Van Valkenburg asked the size of the Bennett site? Hal responded that the Bennett site is 3.8 acres. Diane asked about the pedestrian access to the parks in the neighborhood? Janet responded that the Bennett site is accessible by all arterial streets. She further explained that the Young property would serve a very limited population. Diane asked about a partnership with developers in the area for the Young pasture site. Janet responded that the developers who have shown interest in the property have not been interested in space for a park. She said there are constraints with utilities in that area. The fact that it is so expensive to develop, it might remain open space. Lance asked the Board where they want to go from here? Rebecca said that in October, the Board discussed this in depth. She feels that if PSD wants to help develop this park site it would be worth looking at, but for us to spend money on it, she doesn't support that. Janet said that if the West Central Neighborhood wants to address this with Council, then we would be supportive of it, but we don't have the funding. This falls into the same category as Eastside Neighborhood Park and Hickory Neighborhood Park. Diane said that we need to be open enough with the neighborhood to support them. Lance suggested that we as a board request staff to mark Bennett as a site for the neighborhood and to put this on their list for the next Capital Projects. Diane said that we have a plan to develop parks in the new neighborhoods, but do we have a plan for the inner city? Janet said our plan does address the older neighborhoods. She further explained that the Bennett School neighborhood, according to our Policy Plan has their park needs met through City Park and Rolland Moore Park. Marilyn said it is not irrelevant to find out what the owners' thoughts are on these properties. Tom Shoemaker said that the Young property could possibly be purchased with natural area money and he would be happy to explore that. The Board appreciated the West Central Neighborhood input. Del said that according to staffs memo, he feels it needs to be more explicit. Mike said that we will rewrite the memo with Hal and Emily's comments. In the memo, staff will acknowledge the size of Avery Park and the size + Parks and Recreation Board Minutes • January 27, 1999 Page 3 will use Hickory Park as the analogy. We will address the Young property that Tom Shoemaker is willing to look at as a natural area acquisition. The Board unanimously decided they would take no action on the item. Parks and Trails Rules and Regulations Citizen Sylvia Cranmer, representing the City Park Neighborhood Association, said they would appreciate it if the Board would reconsider lifting the curfew in the parks as it would create more problems for the neighbors. The neighborhood can call the Police at 11:00 p.m. and know that they will be out there to enforce the ordinance. They (the neighborhood) has worked with the Police to keep the area a safe area. Citizen Ron Thurston, City Park neighborhood, spoke about a vagrancy issue and homosexual activities in the park and if the curfew is raised, it would be worse. Sylvia asked the Board if they had questions for the neighborhood. Sherri Wagner, Deputy Police Chief/Patrol, said that she has been an officer with the City of Fort Collins for 20 years. She explained that uniformed and undercover officers have been assigned to City Park. Once the neighborhood asked for the curfew, the crimes decreased. City Park closes at 11:00 and when the officers ask the kids to leave at 11:00, they leave. She referred to the areas where the curfew has helped the officers after 11:00 p.m. At Edora Park, the automobile lights flash on the houses across the street from the park and that causes an annoyance to the neighborhood; Riverbend Ponds is a party place for the kids; and Rolland Moore Park has vandalism which occurs after the park is closed at 11:00. Disorderly conduct, vandalism, and loitering are reasons why the Police would enforce the law. She explained that the curfew law gives the officers reason to go into the park. Otherwise the Police will wait for the calls from the neighborhood. Paul Val Valkenburg asked about the bike trails? He explained that people use the trails as means of transportation. Do people need to use alternate means of transportation after hours? Sherri said this trail system is not lighted and crimes can occur on the trail system. She stated that until we get the trails lighted and telephones are in place, we don't encourage people to use the trail system after dark. Frank Garry from the City Park Neighborhood said he doesn't live adjacent to the park, but feels the neighborhood is safer and quieter with the curfew and explained that it is very effective. Sylvia added that when Board Member Mary Ness was on the Police force that there weren't gangs. Parks Manager Virgil Taylor said that after our meeting in November, staff mailed 325 packets to the homeowners associations in the city announcing the Open House to discuss Parks Rules and Regulations and the possible lifting of the parks curfew. Approximately 30 people visited the Open House and staff received over 40 letters, comments, and phone calls from citizens all saying please do not lift the curfew. He read a letter from a security company that the City hired to patrol two nights a week for two weeks in the highest vandalized parks which were Overland, Rolland Moore, and Rogers. Conclusion was illegal activities occurred in all three parks after 11:00 p.m. The Security Company worked with the Police Services and nine arrests were made in the two -week period relating to drugs and alcohol after 11:00 p.m. Rebecca asked about a curfew in the City for kids? Marty said it was removed because of concerns it was not constitutional. Marilyn said that she apologizes to the citizens who attended Parks and Recreation Board Minutes - January 27, 1999 Page 4 tonight's meeting. She said that when the Board voted to lift the park curfew, they thought that the Police could enforce the law in the parks without the curfew. Mary Ness feels that there is over legislation. He endorses patrolling the parks to minimize vandalism. In 1998, there were no violations written for curfews in the park. He feels the Police are using discretion in the parks. He says everyone in the city is entitled to use the parks and as long as people are behaving, then they have a right to use the parks. Jessica said that she is glad that the neighbors around the park call the Police. There's a huge population of students in Fort Collins and where there is drinking and drugs we need the curfew enforced. Diane said it would be interesting to know if the law abiding people could use the parks at night (after 11:00), would the vandalism decrease with their presence. Jessica said when you look at the big picture, you are protecting the citizens. Del supports everything Mary says. Del Price moved that we recommend that the curfew be reinstated. The motion was seconded by Dean Hoag, and the Board voted unanimously (9-0) to reinstate the curfew ordinance for the parks. Paul noted the horse access to the trails in the Parks and Trails Rules and Regulations. Virgil addressed riding horses 10 feet from the trail. Some people are concerned that is too close. However, in some cases we cannot get further than that because we have right of way of 25 total feet. Tom Shoemaker said his staff has met with Ragan Adams who has expressed concern and that the horseback riders have riding zones. Marty referred to Section A and said if we move horse riding, model rockets, boats, and planes to Section B, we could sign areas and allow these activities to occur in specified areas. Marilyn said that is reasonable. Del Price made a motion that we move motorized rockets, boats, and planes from Section A to Section B, along with allowing horses within 10 feet of the trail, and be able to make modifications to the 10 foot allowance where appropriate by signage. The motion was seconded by Marilyn Barnes, and the Board voted unanimously (9-0) to endorsed the motion. Del asked why we would prohibit glass containers? Virg said if people bring glass containers and leave them, then others will smash them. Marty reviewed the other changes to the Parks and Trails Rules and Regulations including a prohibition against scattering cremains. He also noted natural areas rules and regulations apply to trails in natural areas. In other words, if you are in a natural area and are using the paved or unpaved trails, then you must abide by the Natural Areas Rules and Regulations. Del Price made a motion to accept these changes, seconded by Marilyn Barnes, the motion passed unanimously 9-0. Natural Areas Buffer Zones Update Marty Heffernan said that Board discussed this at the November meeting. At that time the Board was not supportive of the buffer zones. Staff from Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources made modifications and tonight staff recommends adoption of the revised Land Use Code relating to buffer zones. He further explained that the parks buffers can be workable with natural • Parks and Recreation Boarflinutes • January 27, 1999 Page 5 features along with park amenities and trails and the two can be made compatible. Referring to the document sent by Tom Shoemaker, Marty pointed out the changes on the redlined version of the plan. Planning and Zoning would have to review if the community park plans contain more than a 20 percent deviation in natural area buffer. It is now changed to an overall 20 percent deviation. Lance asked where the 20/80 came from. Marty explained that the Planning and Zoning Board asked for this. There will be a 100 foot buffer at Fossil Creek and Spring Creek. Lance said buffer zones are mandated because of City Plan. Wally explained that when we met we looked at Fossil Creek Park and Southwest Community Park, and we agreed that we can work with those two parks and those would be major. We should be alright with these changes we have made with our staff and natural resources staff as long as the 100 feet buffer is mandated. Tom Shoemaker said that he will not change his recommendation on the 100 feet even if the Natural Resources Board thinks it should be more. Marty said that as long as staff has the flexibility to do our jobs, we can work together and make this work. Wally said that in discussing development of neighborhood parks, the neighborhoods request that we keep some of the natural features in parks. Tom welcomed comments from the Board that he would take under advisement. Historically, this is not new to City Plan and in some cases the land use guidance has mandated some of these existing codes for 15 years. 100 to 300 foot buffers are in the existing code. Tom said we have 10 undeveloped park sites and 8 have no problems with these guidelines. For example at Waterfield Park (northeast) natural areas money bought the adjacent wetlands and that would be considered the buffer zone. Through park designs we have included the natural features. We don't have any places where there are natural features where the code would prohibit development. Lance asked if any one had questions? Del said that he questions "Adversely affect" and it should be changed to "minimize adverse affect". Del still questions Fossil Creek. With the ponds we created are we going to have paths to the water. We need to have turf areas to the water. Wally said we will have areas that are inviting to the water. It concerns Del that we are creating a maintenance nightmare if we don't have turf grass to the water. Tom said that we will jointly design the water areas. Del asked if we could build a pond and have it turf around it at Southwest Community Park? Tom replied, yes. Del further added that "No disturbance" should be changed throughout the document "to ensure compatibility". Protect significant areas. Staff will expand on compatibility. Staff is looking for recommendations that this ordinance is acceptable with the changes and asked the Board to recommend that City Council adopt these. Paul questioned discretion of "Director" and it will be changed to "decision maker". On a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Paul Van Valkenburg, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to accepted the revisions to the Land Use Code with the above changes, as it relates to natural habitats and features. Note: Mary Ness left prior to the vote. Parks and Recreation Board Minutes January 27, 1999 Page 6 Gateway Mountain Park Planning Committee Lance represented this Board at the meeting. He explained that we have a diverse group. The goal is to form a management plan for the development of the park. Staff is looking for dialogue and their ideas for the park and we will put the best plan together. Construction on the road will start in September after CDOT approves the plans. Lance said we need a representative and an alternate for this committee, which meets on the third Monday of the month from 6-8 p.m. However, the February meeting has been changed to Thursday, February 18. Del Price will be the Parks and Recreation Board member representative and Paul Van Valkenburg is the alternate. This Board will receive copies of the minutes of that committee's meetings. Parks and Recreation Board 1998 Annual Report Jackie Rael referred to the 1998 Annual Report taken from the minutes of the Board's meetings. On a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Marilyn Barnes, the Board voted unanimously (8-0) to accept the report as presented by staff. Other Business • Lance said that he has been asking staff to get informational topics for the Board to discuss one month and vote on it the next meeting. All Board members agreed. Marty and Lance will meet the second week of the month to review the agenda. • Public input --- Lance said he would like to get out of the mode of interactive discussion with citizens when we are trying to discuss a topic as a Board. We need to address the citizens and then close the discussion to the public. Marty said this is the way Council runs their meetings. • Lee Martinez Park — Del Price said that when we reviewed sites for the Community Horticulture Center, we mentioned that we would like the area east of the trail in Lee Martinez Park (open space) area that was considered for the Horticulture Center to be improved. The Board asked staff to propose improvement plans for this area. This could be a gateway into the city. We could use parkland fees from the new housing development in the area for beautification of the park area. • Horticulture Center — Board members asked about the negotiations? Mike Powers replied that we are now getting appraisals of the CSU site and the High School Park site. CSU is preparing site plans for High School Park. By the fourth week in February we will have a recommendation to City Council. • Diane asked what impact the Windsor ice rink has made on EPIC? Mike explained that we have such long waiting lists that the Windsor ice rink has been a welcoming addition. • Parks and Recreation BoardFiinutes • January 27, 1999 Page 7 • Dean asked about a representative on the Board from PSD. Mike said that Ron Daggett agreed to attend the Parks and Recreation Board meetings on the dates we have items directly relating to PSD. After further discussion, Mike said he will discuss the Board's concerns about not having a PSD representative and will ask him to attend our meetings on a quarterly basis. Adjournment: On a motion by Diane Thies, seconded by Dean Hoag, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. :tfu' .y fitted, Rael .ive Administrative Assistant Meeting Attendance: Board Members Staff Guests Marilyn Barnes Janet Meisel Burns Rebecca Chavez Marty Heffernan Lance Freeman Wally Piccone Dean Hoag Mike Powers Jessica MacMillan Jackie Rael Mary Ness Tom Shoemaker Del Price Virgil Taylor Diane Thies Sherri Wagner Paul Van Valkenburg Carolyn Goodwin Harold Worth Emily Smith Sylvia Crammer Scott Kenney Ray Martinez Frank Garry Ron Thurston