CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
FROM: J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: Chapel Hill Country Club
DATE: September 18, 2006
INTRODUCTION
Attached is a proposal for Concept Plan review for the construction and renovations at the Chapel Hill Country Club. The Country Club is proposing a renovation to the covered entrance at the clubhouse entrance, construction of an open air pavilion, and improvements to the pool and bathhouse. The site is located at the northwest corner of Lancaster Drive and New Castle Drive on 155 acres. The site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) and Residential-1A (R-1A) zoning districts.
BACKGROUND
|
May 8, 1978 |
The first Chapel Hill Country Club building was constructed outside the Town limits. |
|
|
|
|
March 9, 1987 |
An Administrative Zoning Compliance Permit was issued for an additional maintenance building. |
|
|
|
|
June 30, 1990 |
The Chapel Hill Country Club was annexed into the Town Limits. |
|
|
|
|
October 7, 1994 |
A Conditional Zoning Compliance Permit was issued for relocation of gas storage tanks. |
|
|
|
|
March 2, 2006 |
An Administrative Zoning Compliance Permit was issued for a 1,046 square-foot addition to the pro-shop building. |
|
|
|
|
May 17, 2006 |
The Community Design Commission reviewed a Concept Plan proposal for renovations and construction at the Chapel Hill Country Club. The proposal reviewed by the Community Design Commission is identical to the proposal before the Council tonight. |
The Concept Plan review process does not involve staff evaluation of the proposal. Review of the Concept Plan submitted is conducted by the Community Design Commission and, in some instances, Town Council, as noted below.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On January 27, 2003, the Council enacted a Land Use Management Ordinance requiring that the Council conduct a Concept Plan Review for proposed development meeting specific land or floor area thresholds. Applications (other than in Town Center) meeting any of the minimum thresholds as shown below require Town Council review in addition to the Community Design Commission review:
|
Characteristic |
Threshold Triggering Council Review |
|
|
|
|
Land Area |
5 acres |
|
Floor Area |
100,000 square feet |
|
# of Dwelling Units |
50 dwelling units |
The Council has the opportunity tonight to hear this applicant’s presentation, receive a set of comments from the Community Design Commission, hear public comment, and offer suggestions to the applicant for consideration as further plans are drawn. At the conclusion of the evening’s discussion, we recommend that the Council adopt a resolution (attached) transmitting comments to the applicant.
An excerpt for the Land Use Management Ordinance with a description of the process for Concept Plans is attached (Attachment 1).
ELEMENTS OF REVIEW
A Concept Plan is a preliminary step toward preparation of a formal development plan and application. The Land Use Management Ordinance states that design and construction of site elements should include:
Appropriate descriptions and explanations of the relationships and balances among site elements;
The relationship of the development to natural features, neighboring developments, and undeveloped land;
Access and circulation systems;
Retention of natural vegetation, minimal alteration of natural topography, mitigation of erosion and sedimentation, mitigation of stormwater drainage and flooding;
Arrangement and orientation of buildings and amenities in relation to each other and to neighboring developments and streets;
Landscaping, preservation or enhancements of vistas; and
Mitigation of traffic impacts.
The Town Council and Community Design Commission, in examining development applications, are to consider the various aspects of design, with special emphasis on whether the proposed development is consistent with the Town’s Design Guidelines, and the Goals and Objectives of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. A work sheet for review of Concept Plans is attached for the Council’s use with this memorandum (Attachment 2).
Tonight’s Concept Plan was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on May 17, 2006. A copy of the Commission’s summary comments from the May 17 meeting is attached to this memorandum (Attachment 3).
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan proposal is for the Chapel Hill Country Club to renovate a covered entrance, construct an outdoor pavilion, add 4,200 square feet of floor area to the clubhouse, construct additions 685 square feet of floor area to the bathhouse, and renovate the parking lot. The proposed area for the renovations and construction are at the corner of Lancaster Drive and New Castle Drive on the155-acre site.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Parks/Open Space. The site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) and Residential-1A (R-1A) zoning districts. The property is located in Orange County and Durham County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township PINs 9798-68-9751 and 9798-47-1629 and Durham County PINs 9799-04-91-3855 and 9798-02-89-9811.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
ATTACHMENTS
