Parks staff seek to shrink Marley Run buffer to upgrade parking, drainage and ADA access

Parks and Recreation officials presented a public hearing request to amend earlier transfer‑zone conditions for Marley Run Recreation Area, saying the 13.83‑acre Huntingtown park requires parking, drainage and accessibility upgrades that cannot be completed while a 100‑foot no‑cut/no‑clear buffer remains in place. "So we're here to talk to you about the Marley Run Recreation Area buffer," said Amanda Stowagan, Park and Safety Division chief, introducing the proposal and the staff memo.

Staff said the existing gravel parking already encroaches into the buffer and that expanding and formalizing the lot, regrading steep berms and installing stormwater infrastructure will require disturbing part of the buffer. The recommendation was to remove the 100‑foot no‑cut/no‑clear restriction while keeping a 35‑foot setback from Cox Road and requiring replanting within the reduced setback. Stowagan noted design services were procured from COA Barrett for $99,000 and that the Marley Run Rec CIP (000136) currently has a balance of about $1,000,195, with an additional $2,000,500 requested in FY27 to cover construction.

Commissioners asked about the original purpose of the buffer and were told it related to a historic transfer‑zone condition; staff said the commission attorney previously indicated transfer resolutions of that type are not commonly used now. No members of the public spoke in person; the clerk confirmed the hearing was properly advertised and the board voted to leave the record open for the required 10 days under local government statute. The record will permit additional written comment before the board takes final action.