11.08.2006 Town Council, Parks & Rec Joint Minutes Iv - Minutes
I 1)i a '', Joint Work Session of the Prosper Town Council
and Prosper Parks and Recreation Board
�i OWN O 800 Somerville Drive, Prosper, Texas pER,ll Folsom Elementary School (Library)
Wednesday,November 8, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call.
Meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
Roll call was taken by the Assistant to the Town Manager.
Council present included: Mayor Charles Niswanger, Mayor Pro-Tem David Bristol, Dave Turley, Lisa
Dritschler, Kevin Drown, and Mike Wadsworth.
Parks and Recreation Board members included: Chair Trent Lewis, Vice-Chair Janet Brown, Amy Drown,
Charity Gilson, and Loren Moulder. Jeff Stang was absent.
Staff present included: Douglas Mousel, Interim Town Manager; Hulon T. Webb, Jr., Director of
Development Services; Chris Copple, Parks and Development Planner; Karen Gandy, Executive Director of
the Economic Development Corporation; and Sara Thetford, Assistant to the Town Manager.
2. Review and discuss the current draft of the Parks,Recreation,and Open Space Master Plan.
Francois de Kock with Halff Associates gave council an in depth presentation regarding the current draft of
the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan. Francois discussed park locations, number of parks,
park amenities, and citizen input regarding parks and recreation needs.
Mayor Niswanger thanked Halff Associates for their work. Mayor Niswanger said that he would like to
maintain open space and nature.
Mike Wadsworth thanked the Parks and Recreation Board and Halff Associates. He stated the plan is an
excellent work product and likes the idea of a five year plan. He said that he is concerned with a Silo Vista
Park because of the economic development impact and non-ownership of the silos. Council Member
Wadsworth also stated he has concerns with single loaded streets as well as the economic impact to prohibit
development within 200 feet of the floodplain. He stated he wants to make sure there is a balance and plan
to development.
David Bristol thanked the Parks and Recreation Board, Halff Associates, and Council Members Dave
Turley and Lisa Dritschler for their hard work. He stated that he is concerned with Silo Vista Park and the
focus at the entries of Town. He stated that he cannot support the acquisition of 1,200 acres for Parks
without the vote of citizens. He stated the Town needs to identify park priorities and put general obligation
bonds on the ballot for the citizens to vote. He stated he is in favor of a Five Creeks Preserve. He also
stated he is in favor of a voluntary utility bill fee to aid in raising funds for parks and recreation. David
Bristol also recommended the Town pursue Denton County for grant funds.
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Dave Turley stated this is a great plan; however, he stated that it is too aggressive. He asked where the
Town would get the funding to purchase 1,200 acres for parks and recreation. He stated he would like
developers to create more community parks within neighborhoods. He said he doesn't believe that citizens
will drive across town to use a specific park and/or facility.
Douglas Mousel stated that the number of community parks seems excessive and he needs to be convinced
on the large number of community parks.
Amy Drown stated that 5% of land will be donated by developers; also, once the plan is approved the Parks
and Recreation Board will be able to solicit the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife Service for grants.
Lisa Dritschler stated she is glad the plan is aggressive. She stated that she has concerns about joint efforts
involving parks and recreation facilities. She said she would like to know the tax impact if a general
obligation bond were to pass, and if acceptable, she stated the Town should give Prosper residents an option
to vote on whether or not they want to pay for parks. Lisa Dritschler also asked Douglas Mousel about the
concept of conservation subdivision design.
3. Discuss the application of the Parks,Recreation,and Open Space Master Plan to the Mahard Ranch
project.
Douglas Mousel asked Council if they were willing to hear a mixed-use plan presentation to incorporate a
preserve within the 2,100 acres of the Mahard Ranch project. Council is willing to hear a presentation;
however, the presentation must include mixed-use options such as open space size, recreational uses,
variations to lot sizes, and density of lots.
O.K. Rihl, Tucson, AZ, represents Forest City Land Group. He spoke in favor of Halff Associates'
presentation stating the Town is in need of trail systems. He also stated that Forest City Land Group is
excited about the Mahard Ranch project. Mr. Rihl said that Forest City Land Group would be interested in
developing something different, such as Doe Creek and the Five Creeks Preserve.
4. Recess into closed session in compliance with Section 551.001 et. Seq. Texas Government Code,to wit,
Section 551.072, to discuss the value, acquisition, and/or purchase of property for community parks
and special purpose parks as designated on the proposed Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master
Plan.
Council did not recess into executive session.
5. Reconvene into regular session.
6. Adjourn
Motioned by Dave Turley, seconded by David Bristol to adjourn. Motion approved 5-0. The meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:15 p.m.
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