Item 9B
M E M O R A N D U M
January 13, 2009
To: Shana Yelverton, City Manager
From: Chris Tribble, Interim Director of Community Services
Subject: Consider a Budget Amendment for the Bicentennial Park
Project
Action
Requested:
Consider a budget amendment for the Bicentennial Park
Project.
Background
Information:
The City of Southlake intends to make significant improvements
to Bicentennial Park that include additional tennis courts, a new
4-plex baseball complex, parking lots, street additions, detention
pond, and new office building for Community Services.
Several residents from Southlake Estates on Love Henry Court
objected to the close proximity of the baseball fields, batting
cages, and parking lot. Several concessions were made to
address residents’ concerns. The concessions include tree
plantings, improved lighting, locking batting cages, securing
proposed 4-plex, and adjusting and enforcing baseball operating
hours.
On November 18, 2008, City Council approved the Zoning
Change and Site Plan subject to the following:
1. Provide 10’ tall, board-on-board, capped, stained wood
fence along the north property line
2. Relocate batting cages from proposed four-plex and
identify best location
The Council recommendations have been reviewed, discussed
with Southlake Baseball Association (SBA) and Southlake
Estates residents, and several options have been identified.
NORTH PROPERTY FENCE
The maximum height of a common wood fence is 8-foot tall.
Ten foot high fences require very close spacing of posts, 6ft,
and heavier gage steel posts. Common fence construction
practices and materials will not withstand engineering design
wind speeds of 90mph. City ordinance requires finish sides of
fences to face the residential side. To hide the excessive
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
City Council Meeting – January 20, 2008
Page 2 of 3
number of posts for a 10-foot wood fence, City staff
recommends a two-sided fence. This dramatically increases the
cost of the wood fence.
A precast concrete fence resembles the appearance of a board
on board wood fence on both sides and can be manufactured in
a variety of colors. The service life and durability of a precast
concrete fence far exceeds wood. Precast concrete is the most
economical long-term solution. In addition, precast concrete
provides noise mitigation benefits and is engineered for local
wind speeds.
BATTING CAGES
Staff recommends the relocation of the two new batting cages
from the proposed new four-plex to the existing four-plex batting
cage location between fields 8 and 9. The relocation requires a
pathway with retaining wall connecting the new four-plex to the
existing four-plex batting cage area. The two new cages would
be built identical to and side-by-side the existing cages. In
addition, grade work will be necessary to create an additional
warm-up area to the north, to make up for the loss of warm-up
space by moving the two new cages between fields 8 and 9.
Financial
Considerations:
See attached cost alternatives matrix. Service life of wood
fences is much less than precast concrete. Cost of wood is
more than precast concrete over a 20 year asset life.
Citizen Input/ Board Review:
Planning and Zoning recommended approval (4-1) of the zoning
change and Site Plan for Bicentennial Park at their October 9,
2008 meeting.
City Council approved (7-0) the zoning change and Site Plan for
Bicentennial Park at their November 18, 2008 meeting, subject
to 1) providing a 10’ tall, board-on-board, capped, stained wood
fence along the north property line; and 2) relocating batting
cages from proposed four-plex and identify best location
Meetings held with Southlake Estates Residents October 10,
October 17 and November 21, 2008
Meeting with Southlake Baseball Association November 21,
2008
City Council Work Session January 6, 2009
Legal
Review:
Not applicable
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
City Council Meeting – January 20, 2008
Page 3 of 3
Alternatives:
See attached cost alternative matrix
Supporting
Documents:
Cost Alternatives Matrix
Staff
Recommendation:
Consider a budget amendment for the Bicentennial Park Project
Cost Alternatives Matrix:
Batting
Required Budget Amendment
Cages
(Add $120K)
8' BOB - 2 Sided (Add $70K) $190k
Fence Options
10' BOB - 2 Sided (Add $110K) $230K
8' Precast Concrete (Add $95K) $215k
10' Precast Concrete (Add $160K) $280K