2007-11-19 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
SPECIAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 258
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met for a Special Meeting on Monday, November 19,
2007, at 1:30 p.m. in the Assembly Room of the New Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman William A. Caster; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp, Jr.; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Attorney Wanda M.
Copley; Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce T. Shell.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order and reported that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the
development of the Trails End property.
Parks Director Neal Lewis presented an overview of the Trails End property reporting that:
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The site of the former Trails End Restaurant and adjoining properties fronting Masonboro Sound were
purchased by New Hanover County in early March, 2007, for a total amount of $4 Million.
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The properties are located at the intersection of Purveyance Avenue and Trails End Road. There were five
parcels. Together they total approximately 1.7 acres in size.
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The property is zoned R-15; parks are allowed in an R-15 zone. The property is served by County sewer.
Public water is not available on Trails End Road. There is a well on this property.
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Trails End Road adjoins the property on the southern border and extends into the water. This area has been
used by the public as a boat launching ramp for some time. The County Attorney has submitted an opinion
that this roadway is public and can be improved for use by the public as a part of the County?s boat
ramp/park project. Use of the existing roadway has a substantial impact on the level of development (i.e.
impervious surface areas) of the park, and on the ingress/egress of the property.
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The property fronts Masonboro Sound. There is approximately 200? of waterfront, with an existing
bulkhead. The bulkhead is in good condition, except for the southern portion of the bulkhead, at the
launching ramp, which needs repair. There is also an existing dock with floating docks attached at the end.
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The existing dock has potential as a kayak/canoe launch facility. The property is ideally suited and situated
for development as a public boat launching ramp and waterfront park. Discussions have been held with
related agencies who might offer assistance with the project. These discussions include:
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The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is interested in the project. They have agreed
to design the park, develop the launching ramp, including parking area, ramp, bulkhead, docks,
dredging, and channel marking. The Wildlife Resources Commission has offered to pay for these
improvements. The New Hanover County Parks Department would operate and maintain the
property as a County Park. The Wildlife Resources Commission would make any future repairs or
capital improvements to the property.
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The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management has expressed an interest in the project.
Grant funds may be available through their Water Access grant program. These grants are
available as 75% State/25% Local matching grants for facility improvements (i.e. boardwalk,
gazebo, restrooms, parking, landscaping).
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The North Carolina Division of Water Quality has offered guidance on compliance with
stormwater regulations.
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The project would be eligible for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund 50/50 Matching Grant funds.
However, these funds would not be available until May, 2008, if a grant was awarded.
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The Wildlife Resources Commission has stated that they will handle the permitting processes for this
project (a CAMA Major Permit would be required for dredging and ramp development).
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As of this date there are no cost estimates for the project.
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A meeting was held on April 18, 2007 to allow the neighboring property owners to offer input on the
proposed project. Most of the comments were in the form of concerns for safety on Trails End Road and
the Masonboro Sound Road intersection, hours of operation, size of boats, noise, litter, and some general
opposition to any plans for a public facility.
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Two conceptual designs for the project have been prepared by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission. The Commission estimates that design/permitting/construction is expected to take eighteen
months to complete once the project is formally approved by the Wildlife Resources Commission.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
SPECIAL MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 2007 PAGE 259
Parks Director Lewis presented the two conceptual designs:
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A 21-slip boat launch facility with the entrance off Trails End Road
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A kayak/canoe drop-off facility with the entrance off Purviance Avenue
Parks Director Lewis referenced a letter from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission stating
that they favor a passive kayak/canoe drop-off facility. The Wildlife Resource Commission remains committed to
providing assistance to this project including building a motorboat launch utilizing the existing boat ramp if that is
what the County wishes. Construction of a new ramp would be cost prohibited with environmental concerns and
issues.
In response to Board questions, Deputy County Attorney Kemp Burpeau reported that a review of the plats
of Trails End South subdivision recorded in 1997 shows Trails End Road without any private designation. A
subdivision plat for Trails End recorded in 2005 shows the road with the designation ?30? Public R/W?. Based on
these findings that the road was designated as private and an offer of dedication can be accepted for public
ownership, the property can be improved.
Parks Director Lewis stated that the issues that need to be decided are:
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The use of the existing roadway and ramp
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The type of facility NHC wants to develop
Parks Advisory Board Chairman John Coble reported that by unanimous decision, the Parks Advisory
Board voted to endorse developing the park for public use for motorized vessels and kayak/canoe launching.
Commissioner Pritchett stated that it was her understanding that it would be a passive park area for a
kayak/canoe facility and would not have voted in favor of the purchase otherwise.
Vice-Chairman Greer stated that it was his understanding that it would be used for boat access with the
amount of money spent. The size of the boat ramp will limit the size of the boat.
Chairman Caster stated that the area is ideal for a kayak/canoe launch but the boat ramp is not going away
and utilizing the property for motor boats is the best use of the money.
Commissioner Davis stated that he was disappointed that the State will not participate in the construction of
an additional boat ramp.
Parks Director Lewis stated that the existing ramp is going to remain and there is not a need for two ramps.
There is a need for management of the area and operating it as a county park will give the County the management
responsibility.
Commissioner Davis stated that when he voted on the purchase of the property he envisioned the use of the
boat ramp which will give the biggest bang for the buck.
Attorney Wanda Copley confirmed that the boat ramp cannot be removed because some Trail End residents
have it included in their deeds.
After brief discussion, the consensus of the Board is to direct staff to proceed with a site plan, in
cooperation with the Wildlife Resources Commission, for a motor boat ramp/kayak/canoe facility and bring a
conception plan back to the Board for consideration.
In response to Board questions, Parks Director Lewis confirmed that he has made inquiries into other
potential sites, including the Christmas tree property and Seabreeze, but currently there is nothing available or
conducive to building a boat ramp.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 2:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board