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a) its age in terms of the history of settlement in the County, and b) in terms of use as historically the major north/ south route traversing a large portion of Orchid Island. In staff's opinion the Trail, itself, in its present-day configuration is locally historically significant. There- fore, there appears to be no justification for the Board to change the Comprehensive Plan designation of the subject segment of the Trail. The existing designation of the entire existing length of Jungle Trail as historically significant is correct. Therefore, pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan and the Scenic and Historical Roads ordinance [18-21 to 18-27], the subject Jungle Trail segment should not be abandoned but preserved and buffered from adjacent develop- ment by preservation and planting (where needed) of vegetation. An alternative to abandoning Jungle Trail is to transform a portion of it into a pedestrian parkway. Under such an arrangement, the developer could be assured of controlled public access (such as closing the parkway at night). In return, the County could obtain land and improvements necessary to facilitate pedestrian use/recreation as well as parking areas at the parkway entrance. These improvements would be in addition to the required public river access easements. The total impact of these improvements, made in conjunction with this project, could ultimately result in public access to the Wildlife Refuge (elevated walkway/observation desk), a "riverside" parkway, and parking areas to serve these amenities. Ultimately, this river park area could be connected to the nearby Golden Sands park via bikeways or sidewalks. The Board has an alternative to direct staff and the Parks and Recreation Committee to work with the applicant to produce a viable proposal(s) to create a controlled pedestrian parkway. The Board could then review the proposal(s). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners grant special exception conceptual PRD plan approval for the Windsor Polo Club (including the cited waivers and options), subject to the following conditions: 1. That the property west of S.R. A -1-A be rezoned to RS -3 prior to any preliminary PRD plan approval. 2. That the applicant fulfill all obligations as listed in the Dedications and Improvements section (#13) of this report. 3. That no wetland filling and mitigation proposals are approved at this time but may be approved concurrently with the preliminary PRD application(s) for the affected phase(s). 4. That the Thoroughfare Plan be amended or the conceptual plan revised (and revisions approved) prior to preliminary PRD approval for the affected phase(s). 5. That a legally enforceable developer's agreement be executed between the applicant and the County to ensure that the mangrove fringe along the site's river frontage is preserved to visually buffer the Wildlife Refuge from the development and to limit clearing (after obtaining all required permits) needed for any dock or other recreation -related structures to the least amount possible. 53 FEB 2 3 198 Ka 71 FACE 53