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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/12/1996 Study Session MinutesMINUTES OF LINE~ PARK MEETING TOWN OF MARANA September i2, 1996 MARANA ToWN OF MAP. A,N A PLACE AND DATE: Marana Development Center, September 12, 1996 I. CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Ed Honea - Time: 3:30 p.m. H. PRESENT See Attached Sign-in Sheet III. GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Mayor Ed Honea began the meeting by discussing the need to resolve the issue of a linear park in Continental Ranch: The Continental Ranch Specific Plan requires a linear park be built; however, in the past, some of the reqmrements of the Continantal Ranch Specific Plan were not carded out in their entirety. The Continental Ranch Specific Plan calls for and requires a linear park to follow the bank protection from basically Parcel 1 all the way to Puerto Del Notre area. It also requires bicycle and walk paths between all of the different parcels of land, to allow people to move freely throughout the community. Coventry has agreed to put in a linear park that is contiguous to their property. They have agreed to do the other pathways and the ramadas that are required in the specific plan. One problem that this causes, all of the homeowners are going to end up paying for the maintenance of this infrastructure although they are not going to have any themselves. It's going to be built up in the Coventry end. They are going to have a linear park and bike paths and most of it would eventually belong to the Homeowners Association after build out (6-8 years). Reading the Specific Plan, there are as many interpretations as there are people who read it. One interpretation is that when 50% of the houses around a pool or a park are completed, then the park or amenity that is required has to be completed before the remaining 50% of the houses can be built. If you interpret it that way for the linear park on the south end, now that 50% of the south end is built, out its time for the amenities to be built. There are a lot of questions as to who is responsible. The Specific Plan says the prime developer. If you asked SVP, whom I consider the prime developer up until the time they sold to Coventry while most of the west end was being built out, they say they are not sure they were the prime developer. If you asked Mr. Snodgrass if they were one of the prime developers, they would say they are not sure, they only had so many parcels. My philosophy is, I don't care who the prime developer is; l'm looking to get the park built. If we want to be sticklers, what we could do with the four or five parcels on the west end that are not currently developed, we could ask for the bicycle paths and amenities that is drawn out specifically in the specific plan. Hindsight doesn't work very well. A lot of those things are impossible to construct now since the housing has already been built. The linear park; however, is still available. The town could have three or four different options. We could say that according to our interpretation of the TOWN OF MARANA september 12~ 1996 specific plan, over 50% of the south end is built out and until somebody commits to building a linear park, we are not going to issue any more permits. We could close our eyes and have Coventry build all the infrastructure on their end, even though no one else did. We could try to piecemeal it by having the developers who still have parcels open build the linear park contiguous to their property as part of the final plat approval process. The reason for the meeting today is to see if an amicable solution can be made, some sort of agreement, at least on the linear park part of the facility and try to get it built. Several council members are looking at the DeAnza Trail. Coventry has taken a leadership role in trying to get the ball rolling on the part of the DeAnza Trail. It is not the Town's responsibility to build it. It is the responsibility of the development community who built the houses to build the amenities. Sharon Price, Vice Mayor, stated that the community homeowners should be asked what kind of amenities they want. Do they want a linear park? The Homeowners' Association will have to maintain whatever is built. She wants to have involvement of the community. Discussion continued regarding the need for the linear park and the advantages it would have to the community and who would maintain the infrastructure once it was built. Richard Brown, Continental Ranch, stated that the common areas of the community now are in poor shape. He also asked why the Homeowners' Association would be responsible for the linear park if it was part of the DeAnza Trail and thus a public park. Mayor Honea discussed the growth and need for infrastructure in the Cortaro Road/Continental Ranch area. He stated that the developer that will make money from the growth and development of the area has to be responsible for the cost of building and improving infrastructure. He stated that he hopes to get voluntary commitments from the developers to start building the linear park. Vice Mayor Price stated that she wants a citizens' group involved in the decision of building a linear park. Mayor Honea stated that he is looking for SVP and Richmond to commit building the linear park. He stated that they were the main builders on the south end and their portion is now 50% built. According to the specific plan, when there is 50% build out around an amenity, the amenity must be built. There is 50% build out now around the linear park area. If after the linear park is built and the Homeowners' Association is turned over to the homeowners, they cannot maintain the park, then the Town can look at other options for maintenance. Craig Briner, Coventry Homes, asked if the Town would consider participating in the building the park if it becomes a public park. Mayor Honea stated that it is possible the Town would eventually maintain the park as a Town parkway. However, for the actual construction, the Town might be able to assist in certain ways, such as waiving inspection fees. Hurvie Davis, Town Manager, stated that the specific plan sets requirements on the master developer. As the master developer sells property, funds should be set aside to meet the requirements of the specific plan. After the linear park is built, it becomes the responsibility of the Homeowners' Association to maintain. He said that Coventry has made their commitment. Do we now reevaluate the specific plan or continue with the requirements as set by the specific plan. MINUTESOF LINEAR PA~ MEETING TOm OF MARANA september 12, 1996 Richard Snodgrass, Richmond American Homes, stated that there are several different issues at hand; but to the business community it clearly a financial issue. The master developer made commitments in the specific plan and when he sold property to the developers, they were made aware that allocation for the linear park had to met in their platting process. Richmond American has done this and deeded to the HOA. It is their viewpoint that in their obligation to the master developer has been completed entirely. Richmond feels that their commitment has been met and it is now the HOA's responsibility. Richmond does have a vested interest in the area and is not saying no to any participation in the building of the linear park. However, they need to know exactly what they are talking about in the forms of dollars and commitments. Why should the other builders, such as Presley, Pulte and Woodside be omitted from responsibility for the linear park just because their property is not located on the other side of the Santa Cruz. He feels it is a HOA responsibility to decide if there is going to be a linear park and how much money will be spent on it. If the HOA has a budget deficit, the developers and other builders who pay dues would be helping to cover the cost. Mayor Itonea stated that the developers are responsible for building the linear park. When they bought the land, they assumed the responsibilities and are bound by the specific plan. Richard Snodgrass asked what is exactly meant by a linear park. Mayor Honea said they are asking for a bike path and walking path and to put in a little desert vegetation in order to provide the amenities that the specific plan told the home buyers you would build. Richard Snodgrass stated that things were misrepresented to them when they bought the property. Mayor Honea asked if the developer read the specific plan's requirements before the purchased the land. Mr. Snodgrass said that they platted the property and dedicated it to the HOA. That was always the requirement that was represented to them. He stated that because of the time that has gone by, maybe the requirements need to be redefined. Craig Briner suggested that SVP, Richmond and Coventry should sit down and discuss among themselves various options and present these back to the Mayor and Town Manager within a set time period. Dan Hochuli, Attorney for the Town of Marana, suggested that the developers come up ~vith a concept plan for the park and get a thumbnail cost estimate to present back to the town for discussion. Pat Griffin, Attorney representing SVP, stated that SVP has not built any houses. They sold property to responsible builders and developers. The developers were required to commit to the specific plan. SVP did not plat the property and it would have been inappropriate to lay out a linear park. He also stated that some residents do not want a linear park because of maintenance cost and privacy issues. Some residents would rather have existing recreation facilities expanded. They interpret the specific plan differently as far as who is or was the master developer. He does not believe that SVP became the master developer when they bought the property from the RTC. Mayor Honea said that SVP did become the master developer when they bought the property from the RTC and became responsible for the requirements in the specific plan. Pat Griffin stated that some developers and builders bought property from American Continental, yet they are not considered the master developer. Mr. Griffin stated that he agrees with Craig Briner that the three developers should come up with a solution. I SePtember 12i i996 Greg Wexler, SVP, stated that Coscan bought property from SVP and has said they would build a linear park and have presented plans. The designs are virtually the same concept as Coventry. Mayor Honea asked if every developer that bought property from SVP is responsible to build the linear park. Mr. Griffin stated that the developers who bought property are responsible to comply with every requirement imposed by the Town of Marana. Dan Hochuli stated that the problem with that theory is that the specific plan does not say the linear park will be built in sections. Discussion regarding who is responsible for building the linear park as stated in the specific plan. Richard Snodgrass, Richmond American Homes, said he recommends that the developers come up with a concept for the linear park to present back to the town. Mayor Honea said he agrees that arguing the semantics of the specific plan will not accomplish the goal. Dan Hochuli stated that the parties should consider that the linear park is an obligation of the specific plan. From a legal standpoint, even if some residents do not want the linear park, it is a stated amenity of the specific plan and is an obligation. Jerry Flannery, Planning Director, stated that some positive comments have been made and an overall plan with cost estimate needs to be developed. What would the next steps be after that? Craig Briner, Coventry, said the goal is to have a linear park. What needs to be done is figure out ho~v to do it and with all parties in agreement. He would suggest another meeting in 3 - 4 weeks. Mayor Honea stated that he would like to have these same parties meet to discuss impact fees, infrastructure and transportation improvements in the Cortaro Road/Continental Ranch area. It was agreed to meet again regarding the linear park on Thursday, October 3, 1996, at 3:30 p.m. at the Town of Marana Development Center. IV. ADJOURNMENT By Mayor Ed Honea - Time 5:00 p.m. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are the true and correct minutes of the Linear Park Meeting held on September 12, 1996 SANDRA M. GLADDEN, TARY PLANNING AND ZONING Meeting length: 1.5 hours LINEAR PARKS SEPTEMBER 12, 1996 DATE NAME ADDRESS PHONE 20th Anniversary Committee Minutes, September 5, 1996 The committee convened at 6:05 p.m. Chair Sherry Millner gave a recap of the previous meeting. The objective of the meeting was to more clearly define the activities of the March 22-23, 1997 event, appoint members to various activities and select the title for the event. In attendance were: Tom Clark, Sherry Millner, Louise Brown, Jocelyn Entz, Sandy Groseclose, Jane Johnson, Pauline Nunez and Diane Mangialardi. Absent were: Joe Parsons, Bobby Sutton, Dale Bradshaw, Sharon Price. Jaime Kal'de and Debbie Hubbard and Melanie Larson were excused. The following events, days, times and committees were agreed to by the committee members present: Budget - Sherry, Jane Publicity/advertising - Melanie, Bobby Pancake Breakfast 6 to 8 a.m., Saturday- Diane Business participation - Saturday - ]ocelyn, Melanie, Bobby, Louise Float/parade on Saturday, 9 to 11- Sharon Sportspark events, Saturday, 6-11 p.m. - Bobby, Sandy Marana Park events, Sunday, Noon until dark - Pauline, Tom, Sandy, Louise Parking, transportation, parade route, safety - Lt. Bradshaw Horse Show, Saturday and Sunday, Marana Stockyard - Joe, Tom The theme of Platinum Celebration with Marana across the top and 20th in platinum superimposed either in from of the wording or behind it was adopted by the committee. Melanie Larson will be asked to bring the artwork for the theme logo to the next meeting as she had produced a few examples to show the committee at a previous meeting which were never reviewed. It was decided to have a meeting on Thursday, September 19, 1996, at 5:00 p.m., at Evergreen Air Center (Pinal Air Park). Louise Brown suggested this location. Those who can attend may want to stay and eat at the restaurant which will have reopened under new management. Activity chairpersons or their designated representatives were asked to bring a tentative plan for their activity to this meeting for discussion. The Budget Committee would also like everyone to bring their best estimate for budgeting their activity so that the Budget Committe can begin structuring necessary funding. There was discussion about the best route for the parade in terms if visibility and participation as well as safety. The committee would like Lt. Bradshaw to address this issue at the next meeting. The route which received the