McAlpine Creek Greenway
Stakeholders Group Minutes
January 22, 2009
MECKLENBURG COUNTY
Park and Recreation Department
McAlpine Creek Greenway
Sardis Road to Providence Road
Stakeholder Group Meeting
January 22, 2009
Minutes
Stakeholders
Terry Efird, Neighborhood resident
Kim Hines, Neighborhood resident
Mary Hines, Neighborhood resident
Brad Lee, Neighborhood resident
Rachel Lorch, Neighborhood resident
Trish Myers, Neighborhood resident
Bob Stonebraker, Neighborhood resident
Joy Stonebraker, Neighborhood resident
Scott Whitlock, Neighborhood resident
Tim Morgan, Park and Recreation Commission
Dick Winters, Greenway Advisory Council
James Worsley, Regional Manager, East Park District
John McClelland, Regional Manager, South Park District
Staff
James R. Garges, Director
Julie Clark, Director Greenway Planning and Development
James Gordon, Project Manager, County Storm Water Services (LUESA)
Ron Weathers, Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities
Gwen Cook, Greenway Planner
Call to order – 7:00 PM
The Fletcher School- Rankin Conference Room
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McAlpine Creek Greenway
Stakeholders Group Minutes
January 22, 2009
8500 Sardis Road, Charlotte NC 28270
1. Welcome and Introductions - Julie Clark
2. Explanation of Stakeholder and Public Workshop Process- Dick Winters
Dick Winters explained the Stakeholder Group process
3. Site Orientation- Julie Clark
Julie Clark and Gwen Cook presented a map of McAlpine Creek Greenway and explained how
the project site related to the overall McAlpine Creek Greenway system. McAlpine Creek
Greenway will ultimately connect Mint Hill to the SC state line. There are currently two
developed sections of McAlpine Creek Greenway – 3 miles within McAlpine Creek Park
between Margaret Wallace Rd. and Sardis Rd. and just over 2 miles further downstream from
Johnston Road to McMullen Creek Greenway. The new section of trail would extend the
existing greenway in McAlpine Creek Park one mile downstream to Providence Road. This
project was identified in the 2008 bonds. Also included in the 2008 bonds was the extension of
Lower McAlpine north to Hwy 51.
4. Site Features- Gwen Cook
Gwen presented a map of the project area and described the overall character of the project site.
She described the creek and tributary characteristics as well as the floodplain and topography of
the area.
She described how site attributes affect the alignment of the greenway trail. She emphasized one
of the most important factors driving trail alignment is property ownership. Greenway trail can
be located only on property where the County has a legal right to build and operate the trail; such
ownership may include easements, fee simple purchases or public right-of-ways. The majority of
County-owned land between Sardis Road and Providence Road is on the south side of the creek.
In an effort to limit disturbance, greenway trails are often situated within sewer easements. With
the new relief sewer, sewer easements will be located on both sides of the creek. Gwen described
the constraints of using gas easements for greenway trail development –these easements may be
crossed but are more restrictive in terms of trail development within the easement. A Piedmont
gas line is located on the north side of McAlpine Creek. Active community gardens are north of
the creek on County-owned land near Sardis Road.
5. Other Projects- Julie Clark and Gwen Cook
There are two other active projects along this stretch of McAlpine Creek Greenway – a stream
restoration project led by City and County Storm Water Services (SWS) and a relief sewer
system led by Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities (CMU) Project managers from both SWS and
CMU were introduced and briefly explained their projects.
The timing of the various projects was discussed. Stream restoration would occur first, starting
in July 2009. The relief sewer timing depends on revenue from water and sewer fees.
Construction is anticipated as early as 2010 or as late as approximately 2012. Greenway trail
construction would follow the sewer construction. The location of the relief sewer was shown
on the greenway trail alignment map.
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McAlpine Creek Greenway
Stakeholders Group Minutes
January 22, 2009
4. Greenway Trail Location, Assessment and Destinations- Julie Clark and Gwen Cook
Maps of the proposed conceptual trail alignment were shared with the group. Gwen described
the overall alignment as generally following the creek and staying within the proposed CMU
relief sewer clearing, however, the alignment accounted for gaps in County landownership and
used the public right-of-way along Old Bell Road. Other neighborhood connections on both
sides of the creek will be explored in the future. Gwen described the need for the trail to meet the
requirements of the American with Disabilities Act for Recreational Trails to the greatest extent
possible. She explained additional survey work would help determine an alignment that would
meet those requirements. The trail is proposed to be asphalt, 10’ wide.
Gwen described nearby destinations and connectivity opportunities for the trail including, the
existing greenway at Sardis Road, multi-family development on the north side of the creek, and
a concrete pad provided by NCDOT at Providence Road on the south side of the creek. She
explained that connectivity is an important goal for greenways and help activate the trail. The
conceptual design presented provides opportunities future connections to under Providence Road
as well as a bridge to Heatherwood and other multi-family developments on the north side of the
creek. Gwen stated additional access trails are desirable as future improvements.
The access trail to the existing parking lot will intersect the main trail at 90 degrees. The parking
area is proposed to be expanded to park at least 40-50 cars. She noted the need for restroom
facilities at this point along the greenway. Although funding is not available at this time, the
provision of a building pad could be allowed for and the availability of water and sewer will be
researched for a small restroom facility that could be added next to Sardis Road at some point in
the future. A sizable tributary along the main trail will require a small bridge. An access trail
for exiting to the east sidewalk of Providence Road will be provided. If funding, public right-ofway and topography allow, the greenway will be extended under Providence Road with an
access trail to the west sidewalk along Providence Road.
6. Opportunity Identification- Julie Clark
Meeting participants were given fifteen minutes to study mark up the conceptual maps and
identify and opportunities and constraints of the proposed trail alignment. Participants were
asked to write down all opportunities and constraints and then share them with the group.
The following opportunities were listed by the group and recorded on flip chart paper.
 Change alignment of the trail
 Expand parking to relieve current parking and provide safe passage on Old Bell Road (40
spaces is too small)
 Restrooms
 Water Quality Features
 Work with CMUD to minimize disturbance to forest
 Get under Providence Road
 Parking at Providence Road
 Consider placing trail on apartments’ land
 Consider parking on 5 lots across Sardis Road
 Consider directing parking to other locations when parking lot is full
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McAlpine Creek Greenway
Stakeholders Group Minutes
January 22, 2009


Explore lighting for safety at parking on Old Bell Road
Increase Park Watch Patrols
7. Constraint Identification
The following constraints were listed by the group and recorded on flip chart paper.
 Loss of privacy
 Parking and trash due to on-street parking
 Difficulty entering and exiting driveways
 Cost of bridges to cross the creek
 Similar concerns if trail realigned to opposite side of creek
 Topography constraint for parking and trail configuration at Providence Road
 Safety/crime due to access trail
 Loss of trees may lead to flooding and erosion problems
 Loss of wildlife
 Decrease of home values due to trail looping around property
 Non-ownership of property for trail alignment shown
 Possible wetlands
8. Summary and Conclusion- Julie Clark
Julie Clark reviewed the results of the meeting and explained again that the information shared
would help inform the design process. The opportunities and constraints will be shared on
January 29, 2009 at the Community Workshop to which over 850 people who live near this
section of creek have been invited. Stakeholders were encouraged to participate in the workshop
as well as the next community workshop which will be held in the spring. The meeting was
adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Where to go for more information:
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to call Gwen Cook, Greenway Planner at
704-432-1570 or Gwen.Cook@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov . Please let Gwen know if any
information in these minutes does not reflect your understanding of the information presented or
input received during this meeting.
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