Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area

Transcription

1 Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area Current Reality The Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area represents the rural landscape and lifestyle that encompasses nearly 40% of Virginia Beach. The Agricultural Reserve Program is the primary tool for preserving the rural character, agri-business, and, in effect visual open space for which Pungo/Blackwater is known. As of April 2008, over 7,300 acres have been enrolled in the program. In addition, several state and federal government agencies as well as non-profit organizations have preserved thousands of acres of natural habitat for both indigenous plants and animals as well as migrating birds. The City s policy of relegating urban services well north of Pungo/ Blackwater has limited development and effectively also limited the need to focus open space acquisition program resources in this area thus far. The table below provides the 2000 census population as well as the theoretical build-out population for Pungo/Blackwater, estimated in the City s 2003 Comprehensive Plan. Year Percent Change Census Year ,525 Theoretical Build-Out Year ,005 33% While the proportion of growth projection figures cited above are generally correct, sole reliance on these figures should not be used for determinations of specific facility demand. Significant features that are uniquely located in Pungo/Blackwater and affect the City s planning for outdoor recreation in the planning area include: Agri-business and Rural Heritage Agricultural Reserve Program easement properties Munden Point Metro Park Water access to Back Bay, North Landing River, West Neck Creek and their tributaries U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Back Bay and Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuges Department of Conservation and Recreation - False Cape State Park and North Landing River Natural Area Preserve Nature Conservancy properties The results of community involvement, statistical analysis, and equity mapping completed for the planning area explained on the forthcoming pages, applied to the unique circumstances of Pungo/ Blackwater, served as the primary drivers for the overall open space and outdoor planning recommendations that are provided at the end of this section. 86 Pungo/Blackwater is geographically bound by West Neck Creek and Indian River Road to the north; the Virginia/ North Carolina state line to the south; the Atlantic Ocean to the east; and the Chesapeake/Virginia Beach City line to the west. Munden Point Metro Park

2 Open Space/Parkland Statistical Analysis Open Space/Parkland Statistical Analysis - The table below applies the City s new park designation service standards to the planning area s 2000 census population as well as the projected theoretical build-out for the year The analysis includes park designations that can be located within relatively small geographic areas, such as planning areas. For example, three park designation standards are not applied to planning area analysis because they are larger in size and/or have a unique site characteristic that provides more of a city-wide recreational opportunity. For example, Signature Parks, Natural Areas and Linkages (i.e. trails that transcend planning area boundaries) are not applied to the planning area analysis but are applied to the city-wide statistical analysis provided in the Capital Improvement Program Impact section of this plan. Consequently, the planning area statistical standard for parkland/open space is 11 acres/1,000 residents while the city-wide statistical standard for parkland/open space is 16 acres/1,000 residents. Note: The statistical analysis is only one tool in determining service area gaps. Site Type and Virginia Beach Standard Park Standard Applied to 2000 and Park Acreage Results for 2000 Park Standard Applied to 2026 and Park Acreage Results for 2026 Neighborhood Parks /1,000 Community Parks /1,000 Metro Parks /1,000 General Open Space 1.0 Acre/1, Existing 9.05 Standard 0 Existing 13.5 Standard 100 Existing 13.5 Standard 0 Existing 4.53 Standard Surplus Surplus 86.5 Need Existing 12 Standard 0 Existing 18 Standard 100 Existing 18 Standard 0 Existing 6 Standard Surplus Surplus 82 Need 6 Special Use Facility 1.0 Acre/1,000 0 Existing 4.53 Standard Need Existing 6 Standard Need 6 School Parks 1.0 Acre/1, Existing 4.53 Standard Surplus Existing 6 Standard Surplus 0.42 Total Park 11.0 /1, Existing Standard Surplus Existing Standard Surplus Total Analysis for Planning Area Homeowners * Association Property Surplus Total Analysis for Planning Area Surplus Existing Existing * Homeowners Association (HOA) Property are not counted toward meeting the public park and open space need because they are not accessible to all Virginia Beach residents. However, HOA should be considered as recreational assets for the residents of the planning area that have legal access to them. 87

3 Outdoor Recreational Asset Statistical Analysis Outdoor Recreational Amenity Statistical Analysis - Similar to the Open Space/Parkland Statistical Analysis, the table below applies the City s outdoor recreational site type service standards that are unique to Virginia Beach to the planning area s 2000 census population as well as the projected theoretical build-out for the year Note: The statistical analysis is only one tool in determining service area gaps. Asset Type and Virginia Beach Standard Tennis Courts 1 Court/5,000 Outdoor Basketballs 1 Court/2,500 Playgrounds 1 Site/2,000 Picnic Pavilions 1 Site/2,500 Baseball 200' Outfield 1 /3,125 Asset Standard Applied to 2000 and 2 Courts Existing 1 Court Standard 5 Courts Existing 2 Courts Standard 7 Existing 2 Standard 10 Existing 2 Standard 8 Existing 2 Standard Asset Results for 2000 Surplus 1 Court Surplus 3 Courts Surplus 5 Surplus 8 Surplus 6 Asset Standard Applied to 2026 and 2 Courts Existing 1 Court Standard 5 Courts Existing 2 Courts Standard 7 Existing 3 Standard 10 Existing 2 Standard 8 Existing 2 Standard Asset Results for 2026 Surplus 1 Court Surplus 3 Courts Surplus 4 Surplus 8 Surplus 6 Baseball 300' Outfield 1 /18,000 2 Existing 0 Standard Surplus 2 2 Existing Surplus 1 Softball (Youth Competitive) 1 /5,000 5 Existing Surplus 4 5 Existing 1 Standard Surplus 4 Softball (Adult Competitive) 1 /18,000 3 Existing 0 Standard Surplus 3 3 Existing Surplus 2 Soccer (Youth/Competitive/Practice) 1 /4,000 0 Existing 0 Existing 2 Standard Need 2 Soccer (Regulation/Competitive) 1 /6,000 0 Existing 0 Existing Football (Competitive/Practice) 1 /6,000 0 Existing 0 Existing Lacrosse/ Hockey 1 /50,000 0 Existing 0 Standard 0 Existing 0 Standard Dog Parks 1 Site/50,000 0 Existing 0 Standard 0 Existing 0 Standard Skate Parks (Inline, Skateboard, BMX) 1 Site/50,000 0 Existing 0 Standard 0 Existing 0 Standard 88

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5 Ten-Minute Walk Zone Analysis In theory, the following map would depict a walkable service areas for a ten-minute walk, based on a three mileper-hour walking pace, to parks in the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area. For example, areas highlighted in green would be within a ten minute walk of a park utilizing the City s existing rights-of-way, showing areas that are currently served by City parks and areas that require additional focus of resources. However, due to the rural nature and the especially low population density of residential areas of the Pungo/Blackwater Planning Area, achieving a ten-minute there is not practical nor desirable to achieve. 90

6 Bikeways and Trails System - According to the City s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either existing or are recommended for implementation: Princess Anne Road - It is recommended all rural road improvements require a paved shoulder for safer bicycle connectivity as well for the safety of rural-based traffic. 91

7 Pungo/Blackwater Recommendations Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway Develop a comprehensive corridor feasibility and green infrastructure study for the Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway. North Landing River Greenway - Develop a comprehensive corridor feasibility and green infrastructure study for the North Landing River Greenway which utilizes existing residual City-owned property, Nature Conservancy property and federal and state property to provide new public access to the City s scenic waterway network. Provide Additional Opportunities for Public Water Access to Back Bay, North Landing River and West Neck Creek, including the following potential locations: Lovitts Landing in partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service West Neck Creek at Indian River Road 92