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ADOPT-A PARCEL

A GRANT PROGRAM FOR MICRO-PARCELS IN FEARRINGTON

Background: In Fearrington Village there are a number of parcels of land, many deeded to the FHA, for which the FHA has no policy for their use or maintenance. There are 25 parcels which were deeded to the FHA (see file: FHA Asset Database 2005, updated: 12/15/2005), as part of the open space that, by law, Fitch creations must make available to the PUD. The majority of these parcels are in Phase I and the Woods.

The lack of a maintenance or use policy results in these micro-parcels often becoming overgrown and unsightly. Presently the FHA has no way of knowing what level of maintenance of these parcels the residents would like to see. But it is clear that these neglected areas provide evidence to newcomers and prospective buyer of how the community cares for its lands.

Options for the parcels range from developing them into finished garden spots to leaving them, as they frequently are, as natural sites often covered by debris. The former option would be expensive to create and maintain and might not be to the liking of many residents. The Board knows that the latter option is no popular with some. To determine what solution would be appropriate for individual parcels would be difficult without neighborhood input.

Therefore the FHA proposes to allow neighborhoods to “adopt” parcels. Most are besides roads and are often treed and sometime rocky. Some are circles at the end of a cul-de-sac, or an “island.” Others might be considered as part of a system of paths or trails.

Interested groups of residents living around any of the micro-parcels could collectively develop a landscape design which they find pleasing and are prepared to maintain, whether it be a rock garden, a quiet sitting area, simply planted with ground cover, or left in a natural state. By adopting their local parcel, residents could turn them into attractive features of their area.

To establish care plans for these areas, the FHA will provide a one-time grant for any of these micro-parcels to cover clean up and/or development costs such as rearranging rocks, some machine work, adding top soil and plantings, benches, etc. Each neighborhood can create its own design; however, residents will then become custodians of that parcel and responsible for keeping up its appearance. The level of development will be up to the local residents.

The adoption program is in keeping with the FHA principle of working with neighborhood partners in conceiving of and making landscape improvements that are in keeping with the wishes and tastes of those living close to them. Consequently, the costs of development will be shared with those who benefit most directly.

Terms of the Grant:

1. The maximum grant will be no more than $400, and no more than $200 for the small “circles.”

2. The neighborhood will create is own design and written plan of action. Each application must have at least five signatures of residents living adjacent to the parcel. The design and plan must be submitted to the FHA’s Director of Grounds and Facilities for presentation to the Board. If the design and plan are accepted, then the neighborhood must designate an individual who will act as treasurer, receive and disperse the funds, maintain records, and submit all receipts to the Director of Grounds and Facilities so that the Board can account for the use of the funds. If no receipts and reports are provided to the Board, then the neighborhood will responsible for returning the funds to the FHA.

3. The grant must be spent within one calendar year from the date of award.

4. If a neighborhood decides to leave the parcel in its natural state, then the FHA will spend a maximum of $200 for the larger parcels and $100 for the smaller “islands” to clean up the worst of the debris.

5. If a neighborhood receives a grant, its residents must formally recognize their commitment to continue to care for the parcel at the level described in their proposal, using its own resources. Only in the event of a major emergency will the FHA provide help to restore the original design.

6. If at any time the FHA Board is dissatisfied with the results of the program, it is free to cancel it.
 

Posted to website June 2006