AGENDA DATE: 11/8/2017
TITLE:
Title
Preddy Creek Trail Park Special Use Permit Application
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorization of Special Use Permit Application to Orange County for Preddy Creek Trail Park expansion
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Kamptner, DeLoria, Crickenberger, Mahon
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Douglas C. Walker
BACKGROUND: The Preddy Creek Trail Park consists of 571 acres of land owned by Albemarle County located along the Northern boundary of Albemarle County and extending into Orange County and Greene County (see Attachment A). The number of park acres in each county are as follows: Albemarle County 452 acres, Orange County 104 acres, and Greene County 15 acres. Of Albemarle County’s 452 acres, 342 are currently open and actively used by trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
The Preddy Creek Trail Park Phase ll project was presented to the Orange County Board of Supervisors in 2012, at which time the Orange County Board unanimously endorsed the park project and the grant for the design and construction of the bridge, a component of the project. The project will expand the park to include Albemarle County’s remaining 110 acres and Orange County’s 104 acres. The remaining 15 acres in Greene County are remote and are not being considered in Phase ll.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Natural Resources Stewardship: 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. Rural Area Character: Preserve the character of rural life with thriving farms, forests, traditional crossroad communities, and protected scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity.
DISCUSSION: Recently it was determined that the 104.010 acre Orange County parcel (05200000000590) owned by Albemarle County and considered part of Preddy Creek Trail Park is in an area designated for Rural Agricultural Land Use, is within the Agricultural zoning district, and a public park or recreational use is allowed in that district only with a special use permit. While Orange County has reviewed, approved, and shown support for Preddy Creek Park Phase ll, a special use permit is necessary, and an application has been prepared (Attachment B).
BUDGET IMPACT: The application fee of approximately $1,000 will be funded from the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget. There is no significant operating impact related to this matter at this time, and future maintenance costs will be addressed through the CIP process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment C) authorizing the County’s Application for a Special Use Permit to Orange County.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A--Map
Attachment B--Special Use Application Packet
Attachment C--Resolution