Many thanks to the local citizens for coming out to the meeting that lasted almost two hours, and many thanks to our committee members for publicizing and organizing the meeting and playing key roles to increase interaction and gather input Thursday night.
Since there were lots of new folks, the Subcommittee spent the first third of the meeting reviewing the Clear Lake City Water Authority (CLCWA) presentation discussed at that original town hall meeting at Saint Bernadette’s church on May 10 (note: the next town hall meeting is August 30, 7-9 pm, at the same location, 15500 El Camino Real). After good discussion with questions about water flow in the current and future waterway, rain reference standards related to design parameters for water retention/water area and whether the water would be moving rather than still, etc., the Subcommittee agreed additional information was needed for some questions, and the Subcommittee recorded questions and recommendations for further research in addition to asking attendees to ask some of the questions outside our committee’s purview via the www.CLCgreenplan.org blog.
Next the sample renderings by the currently associated landscape firm, SWA, were reviewed for some looks at a good approximation of the eventual water detention system and related park space. While the images brought forward similar questions such as water area, the images also brought out a number of positive comments about the general layout and look of the future.
After good, energized discussion the Subcommittee presented and discussed the current set of recommendations the committee had developed over preceding meetings from ad-hoc and internet blog site input. The Subcommittee reiterated that the team hasn’t finalized any decisions, and will be making final determination of recommendations in the next few weeks. Everyone in attendance was invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the process.
Below are initial minutes from the meeting:
Most committee members were in attendance: Doug Peterson, Paul Morris, Ronie Skirven, Claire Mules, Candy Wirt and Holly Larse. Various others attended the meeting and signed sign-in sheet with contact information to enable sending on-going information.
Doug opened the meeting and gave an overview of the project from the perspective of the CLCWA. The following points were made during the presentation and are worth noting: Public input is needed for all subcommittees. All subcommittees report to the CLCWA about their findings. Final meeting and presentation to CLCWA will be on 30 August @ 7:00pm at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church
The public is encouraged to look at similar projects on the website of SWA (the landscape architects who developed initial ideas for the area) at www.swagroup.com The CLWA's purpose is to detain water, but will allow/enable addition of amenities to the property - with certain restrictions.
Grants and other entities via partnerships may provide funding to accomplish end results. Possible partners are Harris County Precinct 2, Harris County Flood Control District, City of Houston, Houston Parks Board, Bayou Greenways, non-profit entities, etc. Credit was given to Clear Lake Pedestrian & Bike study for providing invaluable information. The study sponsors were the city of Houston and the HGAC. The sub-committee expects to make recommendations in line with the recommendations of the study.Hike and bike users have different needs and may not be able to co-exist without problems on the same trails.
6:1 is a relatively shallow slope for the broad sides of the water detention area, which most users can maneuver. A maximum slope which can be maintained by mowers is 4:1. The pedestrian/bike study shows shared use paths and facilities. This subcommittee will probably propose that concrete paths would be placed at lower levels on a flat area between sloping faces, while the soft surface pathways (crushed granite or asphalt) would be installed at the crest in order to reduce possible loss of material caused by flowing water and reduce maintenance. Soft and hard paths would converge under bridges and streets.
Current golf cart paths measure 5.5 miles, and local residents are welcome to use them now.
“Trees for Houston” is a non-profit organization that might provide help with native trees for planting the newly sculpted acreage. Trees are desired for shading and overall aesthetic. Our hope is that as many mature trees can be saved in place or moved. The public is encouraged to support our area's amenities by promoting them to officials. It is believed that development of the hike/bike trails will increase property values. Varying topography through the area would be an enhancement.
The audience had the following comments or questions:
Q – 6” is required to be maintained in detention areas. Why is this project being designed to detain 12” depth? This will require twice the digging and double the cost.
A – After the meeting, a senior water board representative said the greater depth is appropriate andstandard for our area essentially at the southern tip of Harris County and in line with requirements for other counties such as Brazoria County.
C- Water drains from both ends of the golf course.
Q – Is the area going to drain any “new” water (over and above) what we already handle?
Q – How would bikes cross streets? This is especially of concern at El Dorado and Pineloch.
A – We'll probably propose underpasses.
Q – Walkers and bikers do not mix well!
A – We’ll probably propose separate surfaces and trails for each use. Concrete low for bikes and softer surface (asphalt or crushed granite) at high levels for runners and walkers.
Q – Will the lakes be permanently filled (as shown on the drawing)?
A – The Subcommittee does not know at this point.
Q – What is the proposed width?
A – We understand that 10'-0” would be a minimum.
Q – How close will trails be to yards?
A – The goal will be to set the trails as close to the water as possible.
Q – Private yards currently drain toward the golf course. The berm could cause the flows to reverse. How would this be resolved?
A – An audience member on the board commented that swales would be graded on the house side of the berm and intermittently drained to the ditch.
Q – Where are meeting times for subcommittees posted?
A – On the facebook page and on the blog.
Q – When is development expected to occur?
A – Minimum of one year before any excavation would start, and up to 3-5 years before substantial completion.
Q – What about parking?
A – Existing parking areas at the rec center and near there on the site of the old golf clubhouse. The Subcommittee expects those would remain in use.
Q – What about lighting?
A – Current constraints are for low level lighting in the park space, and closing use of areas of current fairways after dark, but some non-committee attendees suggested that low level lighting, such as solar powered lighting, be installed. This came up from the non-committee members who recommended it for safety concerns. A phased approach to this may be in order to proceed without lights in first phase to determine if there is a need before second phase.
Q – Who will maintain this area?
A – It's likely that Harris County Precinct 2 will get involved in maintenance, but also some would fall to the CLCWA.
Q – Can the waterways be tied into Horsepen Bayou?
A – The idea has been discussed. This and these kind of trail connections are an important part of the Clear Lake Bicycle Pedestrian Study that the sub-committee supports strongly.
Q – Is there land connection to do it?
A – Yes.
Q – Does any of this construction include the Bay Oaks Golf Course?
A – Unsure, but not likely, unless there is some sort of connection from behind Randall's.
Q – Walkers might want to be close to water's edge rather than at the top of the incline. Why not reverse the location of the trails?
A – Discussed option of moving trails further from backyards.
C – Walkers often use the entire width of pathways, blocking others from passing. Cyclists greatly preferred separate trails for bikes’
C – Provide signage to encourage users to stay on appropriate pathways, or divide path into “lanes” of use.
C – Mountain bikes would appreciate the crushed granite paths.
C – Provide several areas along the trails to secure bikes.
Q – How close will trails be to yards?
A – The goal will be to set the trails as close to the water as possible.
Q – Private yards currently drain toward the golf course. The berm could cause the flows to reverse. How would this be resolved?
A – An audience member on the board commented that swales would be graded on the house side of the berm and intermittently drained to the ditch.
Q – Where are meeting times for subcommittees posted?
A – On the facebook page and on the blog.
Q – When is development expected to occur?
A – Minimum of one year before any excavation would start, and up to 3-5 years before substantial completion.
Q – What about parking?
A – Existing parking areas at the rec center and near there on the site of the old golf clubhouse. The Subcommittee expects those would remain in use.
Q – What about lighting?
A – Current constraints are for low level lighting in the park space, and closing use of areas of current fairways after dark, but some non-committee attendees suggested that low level lighting, such as solar powered lighting, be installed. This came up from the non-committee members who recommended it for safety concerns. A phased approach to this may be in order to proceed without lights in first phase to determine if there is a need before second phase.
Q – Who will maintain this area?
A – It's likely that Harris County Precinct 2 will get involved in maintenance, but also some would fall to the CLCWA.
Q – Can the waterways be tied into Horsepen Bayou?
A – The idea has been discussed. This and these kind of trail connections are an important part of the Clear Lake Bicycle Pedestrian Study that the sub-committee supports strongly.
Q – Is there land connection to do it?
A – Yes.
Q – Does any of this construction include the Bay Oaks Golf Course?
A – Unsure, but not likely, unless there is some sort of connection from behind Randall's.
Q – Walkers might want to be close to water's edge rather than at the top of the incline. Why not reverse the location of the trails?
A – Discussed option of moving trails further from backyards.
C – Walkers often use the entire width of pathways, blocking others from passing. Cyclists greatly preferred separate trails for bikes’
C – Provide signage to encourage users to stay on appropriate pathways, or divide path into “lanes” of use.
C – Mountain bikes would appreciate the crushed granite paths.
C – Provide several areas along the trails to secure bikes.
Q – What level of detail will be provided at 30 August meeting?
A - Report will be similar to that in template on blog.
Q – How close to the top of the detention ponds will the water rise and how long will it take to drain the detention ponds after significant rainfall?
A – Understand that they’ll hold the water until worst high water along Horsepen Bayou has flowed out.
Q – What will be the depth of water on average day?
A – In discussion with board member Friday, he said that width of water on a normal, non-rain day will be essentially like the SWA renderings on display at the meeting and on the web.
Q – Will the depth of the water be affected by a storm surge situation? Will water back up into this area?
A – This again, is a question for the CLCWA leadership, and the Subcommittee recommended sending to the CLCgreenplan.org blog and bringing up at the town hall on Aug. 30.
Q – Once construction begins, how will the dirt be removed? The only access directly onto a major street is at Bay Area Blvd?
A - Agree that Bay Area is a likely route, but that is not decided yet.
Having covered the audience questions and comments sufficiently, Doug thanked everyone for coming and the group was dismissed. (There was a brief introduction of the subcommittee members to those in attendance.) Group adjourned at approximately 8:40.
A - Report will be similar to that in template on blog.
Q – How close to the top of the detention ponds will the water rise and how long will it take to drain the detention ponds after significant rainfall?
A – Understand that they’ll hold the water until worst high water along Horsepen Bayou has flowed out.
Q – What will be the depth of water on average day?
A – In discussion with board member Friday, he said that width of water on a normal, non-rain day will be essentially like the SWA renderings on display at the meeting and on the web.
Q – Will the depth of the water be affected by a storm surge situation? Will water back up into this area?
A – This again, is a question for the CLCWA leadership, and the Subcommittee recommended sending to the CLCgreenplan.org blog and bringing up at the town hall on Aug. 30.
Q – Once construction begins, how will the dirt be removed? The only access directly onto a major street is at Bay Area Blvd?
A - Agree that Bay Area is a likely route, but that is not decided yet.
Having covered the audience questions and comments sufficiently, Doug thanked everyone for coming and the group was dismissed. (There was a brief introduction of the subcommittee members to those in attendance.) Group adjourned at approximately 8:40.
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