AGENDA DATE: 6/8/2016
TITLE:
Title
Milton Boat Landing Property Acquisition
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution to approve the acquisition of property to expand the Milton Boat Landing
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Crickenberger, Mahon
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: This request is to consider accepting the donation of a 1.353-acre parcel (TMP 79-23C) located on the south west side of Randolph Mill Lane near the Milton Boat Landing along the Rivanna River (see Attachment A) for the purpose of expanding the County’s boat landing facility at Milton. This land gift is being offered by the Virginia Land Trust, whose Trustees have signed a Deed of Gift to the County (Attachment B). Current conditions at the Milton Boat Landing site are not suitable to meet the growing population of river recreation users. Accepting this property would allow the County to potentially re-locate the boat launch and to expand the parking area, which would also serve as a trailhead for hikers and bikers along the Rivanna Greenway.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Natural Resources: Thoughtfully protect and manage Albemarle County’s ecosystems and natural resources in both the rural and development areas to safeguard the quality of life of current and future generations.
Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: In recognizing the Rivanna River as a natural and cultural asset, Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and private partners have recently been working together to improve conditions along the river to invite more use. There are currently only three public boat launch/landing sites along this segment of the river: Darden Towe Park, Riverview Park, and Milton. Of these three landings, Milton is the farthest downstream and serves as the final destination in Albemarle County for trips started upstream. The existence of the public boat landing at Milton was made possible due to the closure of Randolph Mill Lane for general public use in the early 1970’s and the removal of a bridge and the abandonment of the road that served it. As a result, the facility is very limited and bound within the confines of the 45’ right of way beginning from North Milton Road down Randolph Mill Lane to the Rivanna River, where few improvements are possible and existing conditions are barely suitable for current use. Improvements are needed to meet the growing demand anticipated for river recreation and trail use as plans to invite more recognition and use are put into place. The only way the current site condition can be improved is to acquire more area for much needed parking. Acceptance of this land gift would allow the County to make the necessary improvements to provide a much safer and better-functioning facility, and to potentially relocate the boat launch to a better location.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no immediate budget impact related to the acceptance of this land gift. Future budget impacts will be addressed and discussed through the CIP process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment C) to approve the County’s acquisition of the property and to authorize the County Executive to sign all documents on behalf of the County necessary for this conveyance once these documents have been approved as to form and substance by the County Attorney.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Map of Proposed Milton Boat Landing Improvements
B - Deed of Dedication
C - Resolution