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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/07 CDC MINUTES THE COLONY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REGULAR SESSION APRIL 12TH 2007 PRESENT: Don Beckel - President Lisa Leary - Member Debby Short - Member Andrea Porter - Member STAFF: Pam Nelson Keith Helms Kathy Neal ABSENT: Stephen Sohn TeRan Lawrence John Sanders COUNCIL LIAISON: Allen Harris 1. CITIZEN'S INPUT - None. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 6TH SPECIAL SESSION, MARCH 6TH PUBLIC HEARING, AND MARCH 8TH REGULAR SESSION _ Motion to approve the minutes from the March 6th Public Hearing - Porter; second - Short Motion to approve the minutes from the March (Jh Special Session - Porter; second _ Leary Motion to approve the minutes from the March tfh Regular Session - Porter; second _ Leary All motions pass. 3. DISCUSSION OF THE SHORELINE TRAIL AND PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION TO STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL REGARDING DESIGN AND ALIGNMENT OPTIONS _ A request was made at the Public Hearing in March to route the trail through Scout Park as opposed to the original plan of running the trail along the shoreline behind the homes that are adjacent to the Corp of Engineer's property. The original layout of the Trail Master Plan was passed without any opposition when it was initially presented to the public. There is a link to the trail that goes along North Colony Blvd The cost of the proposed trail along the shoreline is estimated at $367,000. To take the trail through Scout Park to North Colony and then connect to Stewart Creek Park, which is approximately 3,600 linear feet, has an estimated cost of$416,000. To go that way there would be some street and alley crossings, and a 4ft. sidewalk that will have to be torn up and rebuilt. To go along the east side of Scout Park, to North Colony and then down the north side of North Colony, that cost is $556,000 for 4,500 linear ft. The original intent of the Trail Master Plan is to put the trail on the north side of North Colony because of safety issues. These costs are construction cost estimates. Citizen's Input- Teresa Woods - 5900 Osprey Ct. - She lives across the street from the lake. She has concerns about a drainage ditch between some homes - just putting a little walkway over it won't work. She is against the trail. Doesn't want the neighborhood turned into a campground She thinks there are a lot of things not being considered There are times when people stop in their cars and think about walking between homes to get to the lake. There will be a lot of trash along the trail. High school kids are already talking about partying along the trail because it won't be easy for the Police to get to them. Kids won't be able to be outside without a parent. The trail will change the entire neighborhood Scott Hoover - 4245 Heron Cove - Thinks the trail is a great idea but it should go down North Colony. We already clean up a lot of trash, there will be more with this trail. When the water receded, we picked up all the trash. The trail will give people access to Stewart Creek Park without having to pay. Traffic will increase. Lucinda Ruch - 4045 Heron Cove - Purchased her home 5 years ago for privacy, security and nature. Doesn't want the public in her back yard looking in her windows. Trash will be a major issue. How does the trail benefit them? Anita Kreissl - 4013 Heron Cove - Her property is the closest to the trail. There is a Corp fence 75 ft. from her house. They deserve their privacy. They don't want people walking behind their house. They pay a lot of taxes. Doesn't want lights coming thru her windows. She does not have a privacy fence so why does she have to change. There are areas supposed to be taken care of by the City but aren't. She is not against a walking trail, but doesn't think she should lose her privacy as a result of it. Adriana Mitchell - 10 Indianola - She has lived in her home 22 years. Thinks the money being used to widen the trail on North Colony is a bad idea, that money should be put into Stewart Creek Park. She doesn't want people walking behind her home. Ralph Kreissl- 4013 Heron Cove - If he was buying a house he wouldn't buy one by a trail. Does not see his property value increasing. Had a bad experience a couple of years ago. Trash will always be an issue. The proposed trail will be 75ft. from his kitchen window. Doesn't see the City maintain anything. He is not against the trail, but doesn't want it in his backyard Robert Reedy - 8 James Circle - He bought his house 4 years ago to retire in. He has a large screened in back porch to enjoy the peace and privacy. The trail will bring vandalism and he doesn't want people in his backyard People will use his street for access to the trail and it will become very congested as a result. The trail is a great idea but not in his backyard Wayne Proctor - 5400 Merrell Lane - He wants the trail to go along the lakeshore. The trail has been on the map since 1977 and it was approved in 1985. It is Corp property and everyone is entitled to it. People who live behind the trail at Five Star haven't had any problems from people using the trail. Re-routing the trail is a safety issue and he is against that idea. Has heard a lot of concerns about fire hazards, but there will be fire breaks. Everyone will have an issue no matter where you put the trail. Tim Patrick - 4021 Heron Cove - He did not speak but is against the trail. Tim Porter - 4025 Heron Cove - He isfor the trails. He is concerned about violence and sex offenders. He brought pictures to show the proximity of the proposed trail to children's rooms in some homes. He has concerns about safety for everyone using the trail. There are private property violations that happen all the time. Staci Miller - 3901 Teal Cove - She is not opposed to a trail but she does not want it behind her house. Peggy Faucette - 3929 Teal Cove - People have paid a premium for their homes to have the lake view. She hasn't heard a proposal to build the trail on the other side of Stewart Peninsula with the $758,000 homes. Highland Shores would never allow this to happen. You can't compare trails in a greenbelt to trails along a shoreline. Her house is currently for sale, but when the perspective buyer heard about the trail, they withdrew their contract. She hasn't gotten another offer and may have to lease the house. The trail will cause property values to decrease. Our lakefront homes are the cheapest in the Lewisville area - Little Elm lake front homes cost more than ours. This will cause The Colony to remain cheap. If people want to walk around the lake they can walk at Stewart Creek Park. Roy Ellis - 4049 Heron Cove - If the trail goes on North Colony, use the $378,000 to improve the road and Scout Park. He is infavor of the alternate route on North Colony. Diane Ellis - 4049 Heron Cove - She is infavor of the alternate route along North Colony. She is concerned about fires. Cindy Atanasoff - 4005 Heron Cove - She is the co-founder of LLWins. She supports the alternate route along North Colony. The proposed trail will ruin and destroy the resident's quality of life. She owns the narrowest stretch of property. Her house will only be 50ft. from the trail. People can watch her television from the trail. Having the trail so close to her home gives her uncomfortable feelings with being able to make eye contact with strangers. Her swimming pool is 56ft. from the trail and the patio is 36ft. from the trail and the gazebo is 12ft. Art Atanasoff - 4005 Heron Cove - Strongly opposed to the trail behind his house. There are 5 registered sex offenders within 5 miles of his home and the trails will give them easy access. Our backyard is not there for others to enjoy. He supports the North Colony alternate route. Carol Ellis - 3913 Teal Cove - Against the proposed route, supports the alternate route along North Colony. She did not speak. David Bayliss - 4001 Heron Cove - He is part of the LLWins group. The trail is a great idea and can be a huge attraction. The Corp. knows the adjacent homeowners have rights. People that use the trail will violate our privacy. Appreciates the extra effort the staff took to research an alternate route. Kathy Lowe - 3949 Teal Cove - Part of LLWins. Did not speak. Morrow - 4029 Heron Cove - Supports LLWins. No new trail. Did not speak. Lynda Bayliss - 4001 Heron Cove - The trail will be in our backyards. It's different when people walk on sidewalks in front of your home. The backyard is where families spend the ir time and retreat to. She read a letter from a teenager who is familiar with party locations and the trail will become a party location. The letter went on to say there will be problems with theft, drunks, fire hazards and drowning. Tony Seiler - 5961 Carroll- He hopes the trail will be along the shoreline. Mary Hardy - 3947 Teal Cove - Showed the board pictures of how much water comes into the drainage area. Access to the trail is a concern. Homeowners insurance will increase. Fire breaks are good There is someone new in the neighborhood that has a vacant house and is not happy about the trail. Theresa Woods - 5900 Osprey Ct. - Supports LLWins. Opposed to the shoreline trail but supports the alternate route. Chris Dillard - 3905 Teal Cove - If the trail goes behind his house, he has concerns about his fence and erosion. He shares the same concerns as the other residents opposed to the shoreline trail. He is for the trail, but not behind his house. Tatiana Lanliford - 3909 Teal Cove - The trail is a good idea, but not behind her house. Citien Input was closed Don reminded everyone that the Shoreline Trail has been discussed for a long time. In the TURCO Survey, 90% of the responses were infavor of the trail on the shoreline, and studies since the TURCO Survey have shown the same results. Motion to approve the original alignment of the trail along the shoreline - Porter; second - Short; motion passes. 4. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE PARKING LOT NORTH OF HAWAIIAN FALLS - Hawaiian Falls is doing some enhancements to their facility and because of this, the Planning Dept. is requiring them to add J 00 additional parking spaces. There is a not to exceed cost estimate in the agreement. The agreement will be with the City. The City will reimburse Hawaiian Fallsfor the construction. Hawaiian Falls will build the additional spaces at the same time they are making other enhancements to the facility. CDC will reimburse the city over 3 years at the same interest rate the City is earning on the cash they have in the bank. This agreement is on the Council agendafor Monday night. Council will also be asked to allow Hawaiian Falls to be able open if the parking spaces aren't complete by their scheduled opening date. Motion to approve - Leary; second - Porter; motion passes. 5. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF MOWING BID FOR COMMON AREAS AT FIVE STAR - Last year the board agreed to pay for mowing at Five Star. This year the job was re-bid The bid was awarded to a local contractor and his fee is less than the fee paid last year. Motion to approve - Porter; second - Leary; motion passes. 6. CONSIDERATION OF APPORV AL OF BID FOR SHADE STRUCTURES AT THE SKATE PARK - Keith has received 3 quotes. The structures will go over the picnic table and the bench. These will be enhancements to the skate park. There is still some money left in the skate parkfund A request was made to verify warranties. Motion to approve the bid for shade structures to the company with the lowest bid that has a J O-year warranty or better - Short; second - Leary; motion passes. 7. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN - Motion to table - Porter; second - Leary; motion passes. 8. DISCUSSION OF "BOUNDLESS PLAYGROUND" DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTS- Keith explained the concept to the board These are playgrounds that appeal to all the senses _ imagination, mobility, etc. Before Keith left Mesquite, he designed a Boundless Playground One of the many features in the park was a wheelchair swing that you could put the entire wheelchair in. The goal is to eliminate hazards and promote challenges. The name "Boundless Playground" is a copyrighted name, so there would be some additional costs associated with using that name if we built a boundless playground This idea may be of interest to the school district for the special needs children. 9. UPDATE FROM DIRECTOR- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- The board reviewed the statements. WEBSITE - The website is finished The new color scheme and new City logo have been incorporated onto the 4B website. Pam will have afinal review before the site goes live. MARINE QUEST - The EA is outfor the 30-day public comment period We have had meetings with the Saratoga HOA, MarineQuest, and the Corp of Engineers to discuss the development plan. It may take a month to resolve and address any issues and concerns from the HOA or public comment regarding the plan. Marina construction should start in a couple of months. EASTER EGG HUNT - Pam thanked Andreafor helping at the event. Attendance was great despite the cold and snow. This year we pre-sold tickets and when the Rec. Center was closed on Good Friday, Papa Murphy's sold tickets for us. There were pictures with the Easter Bunny. This year was the first year for the 0-3 age group - one parent was allowed on the field with their child and there was a police officer on the field as well. We are already talking about ideas for next year. Emily, the new Special Events Coordinator is doing a great job. KIDS CHASE BY THE LAKE - The event is Saturday, May 5th at Stewart Creek Park. With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m. ~) ~ (...?~~ 0 Don Becke , President Kath