PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on August 15, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. with Chairman Ruane presiding. Members present were Mrs. Russell, Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Horsey, and Mr. McGlumphy. Councilman Carey and Mayor Speed were also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Chairman Ruane advised members that, due to a previously scheduled meeting, Mr. DePrima, City Manager, requested that the Puncheon Run Water Action Team Update be considered first.
Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, as amended, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update
Mr. DePrima stated that, due to a recent article in the Delaware State News, he wanted to provide clarification regarding the membership of the Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team. He advised members that the City has taken the lead with this inter-agency team, along with the Kent Conservation District and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Mr. DePrima noted that URS, a national consulting firm, has been contracted to conduct the hydrology study and the developers of Eden Hill and Kesselring have agreed to contribute $15,000 each for the study. The study has begun and the results are scheduled to be released in September. The action team will then formulate recommendations and gather additional data, if necessary.
Mr. Deprima advised members that he has requested the Kent Conservation District to provide quotes for cleaning out the stream. He noted that the bushes and hedges along the stream have been trimmed. Mr. DePrima stated that he has requested permission from DNREC to remove the riprap from the south bank of the stream west of Governors Avenue. He also advised members that DelDOT has placed the Governors Avenue project back on track with a new bridge to be constructed over Governors Avenue at the stream.
Mr. DePrima advised members that a formal presentation would be made to Council members once all of the necessary information has been gathered and the hydrology study has been finalized. He noted that the City would be applying for grant funds to defray the cost associated with the necessary improvements.
Open Space Plans - Review of Active Recreation Areas - Kesselring Farm
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.
The Kesselring Farm consists of approximately 182.361+/- acres of land, situated south of the Puncheon Run on the west side of the railroad corridor and New Burton Road. Based upon the number of residential dwelling units proposed (335 units), 2.09+/- acres (91,040.4 S.F.) of active recreation open space are required and the Plan provides for 5.49+/-acres (239,144.4 S.F.).
Ms. Dawn Melson, Senior Planner, presented the Active Recreation Plan for the Kesselring Farm, (as on file in the Office of the City Clerk). She noted that the overall Kesselring Farm plan exceeds the minimum of 25% open space by creating a community center, trails, ponds, community gardens, and a large active recreation area in the south portion of the site, which includes a lawn area and children’s play structure. This is a phased development and both active recreation areas are scheduled to be completed in Phase 1 of development. The plan provides 78.65+/- acres, or 44% of the available land towards open space. The eastern edge of the property is reserved for the possible extension of Saulsbury Road (currently under study as part of the West Dover Connector project) and does not count towards open space calculations.
Article 3, Section 24.7 of the City of Dover Zoning Ordinance allows for a density bonus of up to 20 percent to be granted “if the developer furnishes improvements that significantly demonstrate to the planning commission that the improvements contribute to superior design and which exceed the standard requirements of the city ordinances…” The Kesselring Farm PND has proposed a density of 1.84 dwelling units per acre, which exceeds the 1.6 dwelling units per acre by 15 percent. The Planning Commission granted approval of the density bonus during their June 19, 2006 meeting. This permits the Kesselring Farm PND a 15 percent density bonus beyond the allowable 1.6 dwelling units, for a density of 1.84 units per acre permitted in the PND in the R-20 zoning district.
Ms. Melson advised members that the conservation easement located along the northern boundary of the Kesselring Farm PND is proposed for dedication to the City of Dover. This area is located south of Puncheon Run and north of the proposed Riverside Road and the existing City of Dover utility easement, bounded by the western property line of the Kesselring PND and bounded to the east by the utility easement and railroad. The Conservation Easement area is 12.91 acres in size and includes a forested area, wetlands, and areas within the 100-year flood plain. The proposed dedication is adjacent to the City owned property of Schutte Park.
Staff recommended approval of the Open Space/Recreation Plan with the following:
1. Approval of the community center area and southern community park area and the associated amenities as the active recreation areas and approval of the overall open space provided for the project, including the interconnected open space area with pond system, community gardens, walking trails, and agricultural buffer. The project presents a variety of park areas with varying amenities and interconnected open space areas throughout the development.
2. Approval and acceptance of the conservation easement area of approximately 12.91 acres to the City of Dover. Staff recommends this action due to the conservation easement’s proximity to Schutte Park and its proximity to the Puncheon Run, including environmentally sensitive lands. Staff also recommends the applicant coordinate with city staff to fulfill the required actions for this dedication to occur including the necessary City Council approvals.
3. 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.
4. There shall be provisions which insure that the common open space land 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.
5. Sheet #2 of the Parks and Recreation Plan set should be corrected to properly display areas of ‘Active Open Space’ on the map as listed in the map legend. Currently, these areas are shown as ‘Common Open Space’.
6. Staff recommends the addition of bicycle racks to the community center area adjacent to the Clubhouse Building.
7. Staff recommends that bicycle racks, which are listed in the inventory for the Southern Community Park, be identified on Sheet #5 of the Parks and Recreation Plan set.
8. Staff recommends that street intersections with adjoining sidewalks should be made barrier free for access and include crosswalk markings in order to delineate pedestrian connections to the open space and recreation areas.
Mrs. Horsey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendations, seconded by Mr. McGlumphy and unanimously carried.
John W. Pitts Recreation Center Update
Mr. Zach Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, informed members that the construction documents have been completed and the bid has been placed. A pre-bidders meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2006 at the Dover Park Recreation Center and sealed bids are due to be submitted by September 14, 2006. Mr. Carter anticipates presenting the bids to members of Council at the end of September and construction may begin as early as October of this year. Mr. Carter noted that cost estimates are as originally projected.
Library Site Search Committee Update
Ms. Sheila Anderson, Library Director, advised members that $1.6M has been allocated as a result of fund raising. Additionally, the Library Reserve Fund contains $685,000. She noted that a meeting with representatives of the Post Office has been scheduled in September to discuss relocation. During this fiscal year, staff will be planning and evaluating the site, in addition to utilizing an architect for some design work.
Mr. Lewis moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:49 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene B. Ruane
Chairman
EBR/hf
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