Agenda #3a(5)(a)
memorandum
to: Mayor and Town Council
from: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
subject: Update on Neighborhood Conservation District Process
date: January 12, 2006
The purpose of this report is to update the Council on the process of development of four Neighborhood Conservation Districts in the Pine Knolls, Greenwood, Morgan Creek/Kings Mill Road, and Coker Hills neighborhoods. This report will also update the Council on a request from the Mason Farm neighborhood for designation as a Neighborhood Conservation District.
On June 15, 2005, the Council adopted a resolution to engage Clarion Associates to prepare and complete four Neighborhood Conservation Districts by April 2006, at a cost not to exceed $50,000. The process for completing the Neighborhood Conservation Districts is currently underway. Once we receive the neighborhood proposals, we will be able to schedule public hearings for consideration of each neighborhood rezoning.
Clarion has held kickoff and follow up meetings with each neighborhood. Residents have also voluntarily met with members of the Clarion staff to discuss neighborhood issues. At the second meeting, preliminary recommendations and regulations were presented to the neighborhood residents for feedback. The next series of neighborhood meetings are scheduled to take place in January and February, 2006. Clarion expects to complete its work in April 2006.
On October 24, 2005, representatives from the Mason Farm neighborhood presented a petition to the Council requesting designation as a Neighborhood Conservation District and requesting immediate protection. The Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Manager to request proposals from consultants in July 2006 to develop a Neighborhood Conservation District for this neighborhood. In addition, the Council is scheduled to consider a process to consider the possible rezoning of this neighborhood on January 9, 2006 to provide protection of the neighborhood from subdivision.