ARCA Neighborhood Conservation Plan
USING OUR NEW NC PLAN
On Saturday, October 19, the County Board formally approved ARCA’s new Neighborhood Conservation Plan. The County’s press release on the approval. Congratulations to Natasha Pinol and all those who helped in this process. Now that we have our updated plan, below are the four categories of projects and how they work. The basic principle is that residents can identify specific neighborhood places with conditions they want improved—whether for safety, security, beautification, or improved use—and work with county staff, ARCA, and our NCAC representative to accomplish these projects. With some “sweat equity shepherding,” we can leverage County funding. Having suggestions for future projects is very important, so we need your suggestions. ARCA will be developing a process for how new projects should be proposed and selected in the near future.
1. NC Queue Projects. Two opportunities a year to apply, November and May. Projects must each have a resident ‘champion’ (or co-champions) to follow it, must be vetted by County Planner Tim McIntosh, coordinated with our NCAC representative, and submitted in a letter by the ARCA president. Typically, these are larger, more capital-intensive projects like intersection redesigns, new streetlights, curbs & gutters, sidewalks involving more than three properties. These are designed as “complete streets,” meaning that all needed utility and water supply work is done at the same time. [The block captain does a clipboard petition of property owners; 60% must agree (based on linear footage); a County survey and concept design is done first, then reviewed; if 60% agree, then it can qualify.] The projects join a queue for funding, with position determined partly by the number of points a civic association has earned. When the County’s CIP (Capital Improvements Program) Budget is released (in even years), we learn what was funded.
2. Micro Projects. Apply in March for implementation in summer or fall. Project cost must be under $10K. Typical projects include such things as beautification/plantings, trash/recycling bins, bike racks, bus shelters, benches, public art. These are coordinated by a resident ‘champion’ with our NCAC representative, and county Neighborhood Planner Katie Brown-Henry.
3. Park Enhancement Grants (PEGs). Project cost must be under $15K. Data needed for applications is due in March, to prepare for a June meeting. The letter of intent to apply, from ARCA to Parks, must outline the project and expected cost, and is due in mid-June. Each project must have a leader who coordinates with the civic association. Park projects may be such things as drainage, landscaping, invasives control/removal, fencing, equipment, trail improvement, benches, etc.
4. Missing Links. Applications are due in March for work to connect existing sidewalks, no more than three properties. Projects must be vetted by County Neighborhood Planner Tim McIntosh, and for ARCA, coordinated with AHCA resident and Missing Links expert Bruce Cameron. Affected property owners must all support the sidewalk. Developers/builders of infill housing (one or two properties) are not required to build sidewalks, but are encouraged to by County staff, so redevelopment can be a good time to get work done.
NC Projects are not intended to replace the County’s ongoing maintenance and repair programs for all infrastructure, but are meant to encourage residents to be involved in planning their neighborhoods. The County is also inclined to favor projects in which we contribute volunteers or some funding of our own, like Hume, or Kit’s bench. NC programs are subject to County budgeting and funding processes, so opportunities will vary year-to-year.
Read the entire Neighborhood Conservation Plan.
Category: Uncategorized
