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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_PAREB_09.20.2001CITY OF GEORGETOWN Parks & Recreation Board September 20, 2001 I. CALL TO ORDER John Philpott, chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. H. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mr. John Philpott, Chair Ms. Tracy Dubcak, Vice Chair Ms. Jean Houck Mr. Douglas Blackard Ms. Liz Mealy Mr. David Rinn Members Absent: Ms. Brenna Nedbalek Mr. Wesley Kidd Visitors Speaking: Barbara Austin, Richardson Verdoom Don Bizzell, Stegar and Bizzell Michael Keck, Crystal Knoll Homeowner Bobby Stanton, Crystal Knoll Ventures David Holden, Crystal Knoll Terrace Homeowner's Association John Biggar, University Park Unit Two Dayle Aldrich, Indoor Pool Ken Knowles, train in San Gabriel Park Debbie Walker, Shell Road Golf Center Staff Present: Randy Morrow, Director of Parks and Recreation Kimberly Garrett, Manager of Administration III. UPDATE ON PARKS MASTER PLAN — RICHARDSON VERDOORN Barbara Austin with Richardson Verdoom gave an overview of the efforts they have taken to prepare the Master Plan. A draft Master Plan was distributed and discussed. Input from the board was requested. Major parts of the plan consist of project history and goals, park standards and guidelines from the National Recreation and Parks Association, and future park development. John said in terms of actual developed parkland for our population, we are low, but are equal to or higher than those guidelines for potential park development. Page 1 of 5 Barbara said she used the priorities from the survey to determine future park development. There is no tract that has been identified for a large regional park. Corp of Engineers land at Lake Georgetown is one option for a large park. One possible loop for the hike and bike trail is D.B. Wood Road. There was some discussion regarding the parks around Annie Purl Elementary and connecting them to downtown. Doug also mentioned showing the Chisolm Trail on the map. Barbara said she would be back at the October meeting to present a more complete Master Plan. IV. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PARKLAND DEDICATION FOR CRYSTAL KNOLL TERRACE UNIT FOUR Don Bizzell with Stegar and Bizzell spoke regarding Crystal Knoll Terrace Unit Four. He said in the past, the developer had always paid fees in lieu of dedicating parkland. The requirement for land is almost 11/2 acres, which would take 7 lots out of the subdivision. The first proposal was to pay fees in lieu of, other possibilities are to give money to help develop the Chamberlain tract that is a County Park or dedicate land along Smith Branch to help with connectivity for a trail. If fees were paid, they would amount to $18,000. If land were dedicated in the subdivision, it would be a significant financial impact on the developer. The subdivision does not have any parks or neighborhood parks in the area and the board has an obligation to provide parks in neighborhoods. Tracy said that Smith Branch is far away from Crystal Knoll. Smith Branch is a tributary that runs into the San Gabriel River. Bobby Stanton, developer, said that the board sounds like it wants to see land dedicated. In order to continue the process, Mr. Stanton said he would continue to hold lots in the subdivision until 1.44 acres of land could be secured. Michael Keck lives in. Crystal Knoll and said that when his section was developed the residents were promised sidewalks, fences and streetlights throughout the development. These amenities have not been provided, and now they are being denied parks. He also mentioned that there is a lot in phase one that could possibly be dedicated. David Holden lives in Crystal Knoll and said the subdivision needs a park and asked the board to focus on parkland inside the subdivision. The parks board was in consensus that the developer will hold the lots in the subdivision until 1.44 acres of parkland can be dedicated. The developer will be back at the October meeting. V. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON PARKLAND DEDICATION FOR A CONCEPT PLAN FOR UNIVERSITY PARK UNIT TWO — CRAIG AND JOHN BIGGARS Don Bizzell representing University Park Unit Two, spoke regarding a concept plan for a 140 Page 2 of 5 acre development located on east side of Southwestern Boulevard that joins Summer Crest off Hwy 29 east. The development is a residential high -density development. Mr. Bizzell said they are in the planning stages and asked the board if they preferred a park in each section or one large park centrally located. A possibility also is the 12 acres owned by Mr. Stanton that is located adjacent to the property. This property is across the street from the Phelan property the City is purchasing. David said that ideally we would like to see one park. John said since they are open for suggestions, it looks like we have three primary options. 1. Look at extending park development that is outside of this development and going toward Hwy. 29 which also falls into our Master Plan priority system (12 acres) 2. Combination of those two items (parkland along Smith Branch and a park in the development) 3. Maintain a development within the internal structure allowing the developer to identify properties which are less desirable to build on Long-range goal is to link the parkland in that area. John invited them back to the next meeting where they could present some options. VI. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON COMMERCIAL TRAIN IN SAN GABRIEL PARK — KEN KNOWLES John said he has seen the train and it is a first-rate design and well built train. It is a high quality product. John is looking at considering a process so that the Parks Board is not looking for direction from the council about something every other week to determine if we want to pursue or not pursue this venture. The primary target location is San Gabriel Park for various reasons. There has been mixed feelings from the council along with the existing lawsuit over commercial ventures in the park. John asked for the opinion of the board. Doug is for the advancement of the idea. Jean also agreed that we should proceed. Randy's opinion was that it needs to go to Council and get a yes or no answer on the project. Ken said the Council said that nothing official has ever been brought to them to vote on. John said he would mention the idea at the Parks and Recreation Board report to Council on September 25, 2001, and see if they give him direction. Ken said that would be helpful. Debbie Walker, with Shell Road Golf Center, told the board that if the City allowed the train in San Gabriel Park, there would be another lawsuit against the City regarding commercial ventures in the park. Ms. Walker told the board it was only fair that they know this. VII. CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON APPOINTING A SUB- COMMITTEE FOR THE INDOOR POOL John explained the current status of the indoor pool situation. John said the council talked Pave 3 of 5 about selling bonds to build the indoor pool adjacent to this recreation center after the Williams Drive Pool was under contract, sold and shut down. Also San Gabriel Pool would be closed. This would mean four pools for the City instead of five, with one being year round. There would be a reduction in both maintenance and operation of both Williams Drive Pool and San Gabriel Pool. There was an issue that was brought to the attention of the City Manager's office that the Williams Drive Pool was constructed on land that was dedicated through a Parks and Wildlife Grant. To sell the property, a conversion process must be completed with a series of approvals all the way to the federal government. The conversion process involves substituting land that is of equal or greater monetary value than the land being sold. There is money needed to start the conversion process, which involves appraisals and an environmental impact study. The Williams Drive Pool will remain open until the indoor pool is built. A committee will be formed when the conversion process is further along. The committee would be responsible for deciding the functions or needs of the pool, not the design of the pool. Doug asked about a different location for the pool. Randy said the City does not have any other large tracts of land that we think can match the value of the land the Williams Drive Pool is located on. Dayle Aldrich asked about heater being put back into the Williams Drive Pool. Randy said the City operates the Village Pool and it is heated. Randy said it is difficult to heat a pool of that size. VIII. APPROVE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 23, 2001 A motion was made by Jean Houck to approve the minutes from the August 23, 2001, meeting. Doug Blackard seconded the motion and it passed by unanimous vote. IX. UPDATE ON PARK DEVELOPMENT IN PARKLAND DEDICATION ZONE 16 The 18.78 acres of property the City is purchasing is scheduled to close on Friday, September 21st. This land is going to be put into the Texas Parks and Recreation Foundation Trust. X. UPDATE ON THE BUDGET PROCESS $35,000 was allocated to renovate San Jose Park. The money came from the proceeds of the sale of two City lots in the San Jose neighborhood. The Tennis Center will remain open, but is required to bring in an additional $50,000 in revenue. Liz asked about a card swipe system for the Tennis Center instead of having staff there. Randy said they have looked into that option. There was no money allocated in this year's budget to renovate the community center. There Page4of5 is going to be a vote on a bond package in November to renovate the facility. Doug asked when Parks and Recreation staff would move in to the old Community Owned Utilities building. Randy said it was probably still a year away XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Master Plan, Crystal Knoll, University Park, and Train Issue XII. ADJOURN Tracy Dubcak made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Page 5 of 5