AGENDA #6

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:      Continuing a Public Hearing on the Southern Community Park Special Use Permit Application to April 11, 2005

 

DATE:                        April 5, 2005

 

Tonight, the Council continues the February 14, 2005, Public Hearing on Southern Community Park Special Use Permit.  We recommend that the Council adopt the attached Resolution, continuing the Southern Community Park Special Use Permit review to April 11, 2005.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In 1986, and 1989, Chapel Hill voters approved Parks bonds, portions of which were used to purchase the Southern Community Park property.  In 1997, and 2001, Orange County voters approved Parks bonds that included funds designated for the Southern Community Park.  In July 2000, the Town Council appointed the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee.  On March 25, 2002, the Town Council adopted the Report of the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee and directed the Town Manager to prepare an implementation plan. The Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted the park Concept Plan on March 5, 2003.

 

Concept Plan reviews of this application were conducted by the Community Design Commission on June 16, 2004, and by the Town Council on June 21, 2004.  On February 21, 2005, a Public Hearing was held for consideration of a Special Use Permit application to authorize the Town of Chapel Hill to construct a community park on the west side of US 15-501.  The Public Hearing was continued to tonight’s Town Council meeting. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

In response to Council comments during the February 21, 2005 Public Hearing, and after discussion with the Park Planning Committee, the Town as applicant is proposing modifications to the Southern Community Park Special Use Permit.  Specifically, there was discussion on February 21, about parking, pedestrian paths, the recycling center, and playing fields.  Another issue raised during the review of this project included the phasing of park improvements.  We will bring information about those issues on April 11, for the Council to discuss in its role as owner/applicant for this project.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the Council adopt the attached Resolution, continuing the Southern Community Park Special Use Permit Public Hearing to April 11 for discussion of proposed modifications. 


 

A RESOLUTION CONTINUING THE SOUTHERN COMMUNITY PARK SPECIAL USE PERMIT PUBLIC HEARING (2005-04-05/R-9.1)

 

WHEREAS, on February 21, 2005, the Town Council held a Public Hearing on the Southern Community Park Special Use Permit application; and

 

WHEREAS, in response to comments from the Town Council and Advisory Board the Town as applicant is proposing to modify the site plan;  

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Southern Community Park Special Use Permit Public Hearing shall be recessed to April 11, 2005. 

 

This the 5th day of April, 2005.