Summary of the September 4, 2003 Northside Neighborhood Conservation District Advisory Committee

Present: Committee Members: Chair Delores Bailey, Jeff Caiola, Linda Convissor, Tim Dempsey, Sally Greene, Helen Galbreath, Josh Gurlitz, Estelle Mabry, Mark Patmore, Velma Perry, Ruby Sinreich, Tom Tucker, UNC Liaison Michael McSwain

Staff Present: Than Austin, Loryn Barnes, Chris Berndt, JB Culpepper, and Roger Waldon

Absent: Ed Caldwell, Jane Farrar, Esphur Foster, Mae McLendon, Rick Perry, Matthew Robbins, Sydalg Severe, R.D. Smith

The Northside Neighborhood Conservation District Advisory Committee held a meeting on September 4, 2003 at 6:30 pm at Chapel Hill Town Hall.

Planning Director Roger Waldon presented photographs of houses in the neighborhood that displayed various floor area ratios.

Mr. Waldon also reviewed the staff’s proposal for a Neighborhood Conservation District with the Committee. Committee Member Gurlitz stated that it was difficult to make decisions about the zoning standards without considering the design standards (quantitative vs. qualitative). It was suggested and the Committee agreed that decisions made about zoning standards should be considered provisional and changes could be made during discussions about design, if necessary.

The Committee discussed the Town’s notification procedures for zoning compliance permits and building permits. The Committee voted 8-2 that the Northside Neighborhood Conservation District would include a requirement that in the case of Zoning Compliance Permits (ZCP) that involve floor area change or garages, owners within 1,000 feet must be notified, and no notification would be required for building permits. The Committee will continue to discuss the remaining components of the Neighborhood Conservation District at future meetings. At a later date, the Committee agreed to discuss the Town’s notification process.

Chair Bailey stated that she spoke to a Council Member about replacing Committee Members R.D. Smith and Ed Caldwell because they have not been able to attend meetings due to illness. Committee members suggested Vivian Foushee (co-Chair of the Northside Neighborhood Association), and property owners Vernell Jones, and Bob Joesting.

Ms. Bailey will work with the staff to prepare a memorandum to the Planning Board outlining the Committee’s progress for the September 16, 2003 Planning Board meeting. It was also suggested that this memorandum include the Committee’s big picture goals, its vision statement, and ask the Planning Board for advice on the Committee’s decisions to date and decisions that have not yet been made.

Topics for the next meeting will include height limits, maximum house size, street setbacks, and roof lines.

The Committee voted 10-0 to hold a meeting on Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 pm at the Hargraves Gym.

Staff suggested that the Committee consider providing a status report to the Council on September 22, 2003. Staff will work with the Chair to prepare a memorandum. Also, the October 27, 2003 Town Council public forum was removed from the Committee’s agenda.

The next meeting is scheduled for September 18, 2003 at 6:30 at Hargraves Gym.