MINUTES OF A PLANNING AND REPORTING SESSION OF THE MAYOR AND

   COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, MONDAY, APRIL 6, 1992

 

Mayor Broun called the session to order.  Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton, Joe Herzenberg, Alan Rimer, Arthur Werner, and Roosevelt Wilkerson, Jr.  Also in attendance were Assistant to the Mayor Lisa Price, Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Finance Director James Baker, Interim Police Chief Ralph Pendergraph, Police Captain Greg Jarvies, Administrative Analyst Jane Cousins, and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

 

                   Item 1  Financial Review

 

Finance Director James Baker briefly reviewed current fiscal year revenues and expenditures, noting that a net shortfall of $300,000 was expected.  He noted that interest rates were at their lowest level in ten years.  Mr. Baker also noted that expenditure reductions of approximately $1 million had been made during the current fiscal year.  He stated that the Town would finish the current fiscal year in a favorable position, with a $685,000 fund balance to carry forward to next year.

 

                   Item 2  Operations Review

 

Interim Police Chief Ralph Pendergraph said that redistricting of police patrol districts was proposed, based on changes in crime patterns.  He noted that approximately sixty-percent of calls were received in areas 1 and 3, while officers in other areas spent a significant amount of time in the downtown area.  Interim Chief Pendergraph briefly reviewed the present and proposed districts.  He noted that the three districts outside the downtown area would be split into two zones each.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired why the call rate was so low in area two.  Captain Jarvies said this was attributable to the area's  layout and geography, featuring a large amount of open space.  Council Member Werner inquired whether most calls in area one occurred at night.  Ms. Cousins stated that work load in area one was higher on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and on Mondays.  Interim Chief Pendergraph presented an overlay showing a random sample of calls across the patrol areas.  Council Member Capowski inquired about the incidence of crime in area three.  Ms. Cousins said the number of routine and robbery calls in area three had been increasing.  Captain Jarvies noted that approximately forty percent of calls in a recent period occurred on the University campus. Council Member Wilkerson inquired where most rape incidents occurred.  Ms. Cousins said that most rape incidents occurred in homes.  She added that many rapes went unreported.  Council Member Wilkerson inquired whether reportage of rape was higher in areas of the Town.  Ms. Cousins said no.

 

Council Member Brown inquired about the interaction of the Town and University in handling calls on the University campus.  Interim Chief Pendergraph noted that the two agencies cooperated in a number of matters, including responding to some calls on the University campus.  Council Member Andresen inquired about the working relationship between the Town and University police departments.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said the relationship was good.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether all assaults on the University campus were reported to the Town.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said the Town was informed of most incidents.  Mayor Broun inquired when the Town was informed of incidents on the University campus.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said this varied, but was informed of major incidents on the campus.

 

Council Member Wilkerson inquired about trends in the types of weapons used by criminals.  Interim Chief Pendergraph noted that the quality and sophistication of weapons had increased in the past twelve to eighteen months.  He noted that there appeared to be a correlation between illegal drug and illegal weapon activity. Council Member Wilkerson inquired whether there was evidence of gang activity in the Town.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said yes.

 

Council Member Capowski inquired about reasons for significant increases in the incidence of burglaries.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said this was primarily attributable to drug problems in the community.  Ms. Cousins noted that ten or fifteen downtown burglaries had occurred in a three or four week period in the downtown area,  with nothing being taken in the incidents.  Council Member Rimer inquired whether the increase in rapes was attributable to an increase in reportage.  Ms. Cousins stated that many more date and acquaintance rapes were being reported.  Council Member Werner inquired whether many crimes were committed by a limited number of perpetrators, as previously reported to the Council, by former Chief Gold.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said many perpetrators were from outside the community, due to pressure from area law enforcement agencies.  Council Member Brown requested additional information on this matter.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said that there were major anti-drug operations in other areas.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether it was correct that Durham was a major wholesale drug distribution point.   Interim Chief Pendergraph said there was some evidence of this phenomena.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired whether the Town's Police Department worked with the Town of Carrboro on drugs and other crime problems.  Council Member Andresen said she would like to see

an increase in inter-city police work in the downtown area. Interim Chief Pendergraph said a full-time investigative unit worked quite closely with Carrboro Police officials.  Mayor Broun inquired whether there was a similarly close relationship with University police.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said yes.  Council Member Capowski asked whether there were any additional costs associated with the proposed new patrol districts.  Interim Chief Pendergraph said no.  He added that the plan would take three to four weeks to implement, if acceptable to the Council.

 

Council Member Wilkerson noted that the had received a number of telephone calls from persons concerned about children serving as look-outs for persons engaged in criminal activity.  Council Member Wilkerson said he hoped that the new plan would begin to deal with some of this situation.  Interim Police Chief Pendergraph said the proposed redistricting would provide the ability to assign officers to areas for extended periods of time, enhancing communications and awareness.  Council Member Wilkerson expressed concern that for the safety of the Town's police force.  He noted that many criminals were better equipped with firearms than law enforcement officials.  Council Member Wilkerson said it was necessary to take action as soon as possible to remedy this imbalance.

 

              Item 3  Council Agenda Plan Review

 

Mr. Horton briefly reviewed the Council's future agendas.  He said that the Council was scheduled to review a request for special use permit for the University of North Carolina Hospital Administration Building on April 20th.  Mr. Horton noted that the Council was also scheduled to hold a public hearing on possible improvements to N.C. 86 the same evening.  He stated that the Council's May 4th budget work session would examine proposed expenditures for the next fiscal year.  Mr. Horton said that a report on a process for the relocation of Horace Williams Airport was scheduled to occur on May 26th.  He stated that it was essential to relocate airport operations.  Mr. Horton said that adoption of the 1992-1993 Town budget and 1992-1997 Capital Improvements Program could possibly take place on June 8th.  He also noted that the Council was scheduled to consider the library construction contract on June 22nd.

 

Council Member Brown inquired whether it would be possible to reschedule the Council's July 6th meeting to July 13th.  She requested that Council Members consult their schedules on this possibility.  Council Member Brown inquired about follow-ups on OWASA matters arising from the April 1st Assembly of Governments meeting.  Mr. Horton said he would be meeting with the Carrboro and Orange County Managers on April 13th to discuss these matters.  Mr. Horton said he did not know how long it would take to provide a follow-up on this matter.

 

Council Member Rimer inquired about the status of an evaluation of the Design Review Board.  Mr. Horton said an informal evaluation would be presented this evening.  Council Member Rimer inquired about the status of stormwater management matters.  Council Member Werner said the Stormwater Management Committee would have nothing to report in the near future.  He asked about the status of the Maddry property.  Mr. Horton said there was no funding for design of the project.  He noted that the staff could possibly develop a bubble conceptual diagram, depicting possible land uses.  Mr. Horton added that the staff was examining options for ball field space at the Maddry property.

 

                    Item 4  Strategic Plan

 

Mr. Horton provided an update on the status of the work plan discussed at the Council's planning session on January 11th.  He noted that Mayor Broun was working to establish an action group to maintain the downtown area as a focal point.  Mayor Broun said he would draft a resolution for the Council's consideration at its next regular meeting.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether the effort was based on a conceptual plan of a few years ago.  Mayor Broun said yes, noting that it would involve the joint efforts by the Town and business community.

 

Mr. Horton said a report on small business incubators would be presented to the Council in the fourth quarter of 1992.  He added that the staff would make a report on burned out buildings on April 13th.  Mr. Horton noted that a public hearing on steep slope development had been tentatively scheduled in June.  He said a report on open space acquisition would be presented in late 1992 or early 1993.   Mr. Horton noted that a non-profit housing corporation had been created.  He also noted that in accord with Council direction, housing assistance programs were being aimed at low-income families.  Mayor Broun noted that he had initiated informal efforts to involve the university in affordable housing programs.  Mr. Horton stated that a report on affordable housing incentive programs would be presented to the Council during the first quarter of 1993.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether inclusionary zoning would be included among the proposals.  Mr. Horton said if inclusionary zoning were legally permissible, it would be included among the proposals.

 

Mr. Horton noted that Town staff was in the process of translating design guidelines into design standards.  Council Member Andresen said this process had taken a long time.  Mr. Horton said the process had been steady and extensive.  Council Member Rimer said the process had been complicated.  Mr. Horton stated that a draft would be completed in two or three weeks.  Mr. Horton said he was uncertain of the status of the tree committee report.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether the Tree Committee was still holding meetings.  Council Member Herzenberg said yes, noting that they were preparing a report to the Council.  Mr. Horton said staff could work with the committee on developing their report.

 

Council Member Rimer inquired whether widening of Estes Drive was coincidental with the library project.  Mr. Horton said a pork chop island was proposed for the driveway of the Texaco service station at the intersection of Estes Drive and Franklin Street and that the portion of Estes Drive along the library site frontage would be widened.  Mr. Karpinos noted that encroachment forms for Estes Drive had been executed in the last two weeks.  Ms. Loewenthal noted that the contract award for Estes Drive was scheduled to occur in April.  Mr. Horton noted that the staff and several advisory boards were drafting a sidewalk and pedestrian plan for the community.  Council Member Andresen said she was glad that this project was proceeding.  Council Member Brown noted that there had been some good public comments on the plan.

 

Council Member Werner inquired whether the Town was obligated to preserve right-of-way for Laurel Hill Parkway and Pittsboro Street Extension.  Mr. Horton said yes.  He noted that failure to do so might jeopardize State funding for other roadway projects.  Council Member Andresen noted that roadway matters appeared to be touchy issues between municipalities and the state.  Council Member Capowski inquired whether the Town had good overall communications with University officials.  Mr. Horton said yes.

 

Mr. Horton noted that Council Member Rimer was heavily involved in intergovernmental management of solid waste.  Council Member Rimer said the Landfill Owners Group would make a recommendation to Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County concerning landfill tipping fees.  He added that a report on ash disposal at the landfill would be made at the April 13th Council meeting.  Council Member Rimer noted that work proceeded on development of a solid waste management plan for Orange County.  He stated that public comments from a hearing on March 18th would be integrated into a proposed work plan.  Council Member Rimer noted that since the Landfill Owners Group had no decision-making authority, decisions were based on consensus building.  Council Member Wilkerson inquired about the impact of House Bill 146 and Senate Bill 249 on landfill tipping fees.  Council Member Rimer said the impact had not been determined.  Council Member Wilkerson inquired about House Bill 1109.  Council Member Rimer said he was not familiar with this proposal and would consult with Council Member Wilkerson on this matter.  Council Member Brown requested a report on the history, formation and function of the Landfill Owners Group.  Council Member Rimer noted that he had also requested this information.

 

Council Member Andresen noted the importance of the Town and school district working closely on school sites and other matters and noted that we would like the school system to be candid with us about site selections for future schools.  Mayor Broun said he concurred.  Mayor Broun noted that he had recently met with school officials.  Council Member Werner noted the importance of a good working relationship between the Town and school district.  Mr. Horton said the school board might consider its strong financial linkage with Orange County in its decision-making processes.  Council Member Herzenberg suggested that Council Members discuss concerns with Orange County Commissioners.

 

Council Member Andresen noted that the Town had a vested interest in the good management of wastewater systems.  Systems which are not well-maintained pose significant health and groundwater problems.  She noted that commissioners were unwilling to charge fees for septic systems.  Council Member Andresen stated that county officials were interested in assuring, through an educational process, that low-pressure systems were well-built but that regulations are needed to insure adequate maintenance.  Council Member Werner inquired whether OWASA was placing an emphasis on Orange County rather than Chatham County.  Council Member Andresen said yes, with an emphasis being placed on OWASA as a service provider for sustainable development.  Council Member Werner asked whether this matter should be merged with other OWASA issues.  Council Member Andresen said yes.  Council Member Brown requested additional clarification, noting that she thought the Council had agreed not to extend water service into the rural buffer, except for emergencies.  Council Member Werner said this was correct.

 

Mr. Horton noted that Mayor Broun had made progress on the formation of a Financial Futures Task Force.  Mayor Broun said he was working on the matter.  Mayor Broun noted that he hoped to present a report to the Council within a month. 

 

Mr. Horton noted that Town staff had worked with State transportation staff to maintain access to the Glen Lennox shopping center for Greenwood neighborhood residents.  He noted that neighbors were pleased with landscaping in the area.  Council Member Andresen said the agreement concerning access was a tremendous achievement.  Council Member Capowski inquired whether it would be possible to paint chain link fences green.  Mr. Horton said he was unsure about the duration of the paint.  He noted that the cost of paint would be approximately $2,000 per intersection.  Council Member Rimer inquired whether vinyl fencing had been investigated.  Mr. Horton said that the State would pass on additional costs for vinyl fencing to the Town.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether landscaping of fences was possible.  Mr. Horton said yes.

 

                   Item 5  Key Issues Review

 

Orange Water and Sewer Authority

 

Council Member Andresen said she was pleased with some items suggested for inclusion in a water and sewer policy statement by the Council.  She noted the need for additional statements to emphasize water conservation, customer relations and the Bolin Creek situation.  Council Member Andresen said that general statements could be included in a preamble to the Council's policy statement.  She said the body could have fewer points and be more concise.  Council Member Andresen said the draft document could serve as a good basis for discussion at a future Council work session.  Mayor Broun inquired whether the document was intended to serve as a guideline for Town appointees to the OWASA Board. Council Member Andresen said the statement was intended to outline the Council's goals and objectives concerning the provision of water and sewer service.  Council Member Chilton stated that the draft document might be too detailed in some regards.  He suggested that the document concentrate on a general, philosophical approach to systems planning.  Mayor Broun suggested making the policy statement as general as possible, to provide guidelines only.  He suggested that the Mayor's committee review the draft, with a Council work session in the future.

 

Council Member Brown emphasized the need for prompt attention to the Bolin Creek Interceptor situation.  Council Member Werner said he agreed in principle with Council Member Chilton.  Council Member Werner said he was not convinced that very general guidelines were preferable.   He noted that the Council might need to be more specific in its directives to OWASA appointees than to other boards and commissions.  Council Member Werner said that OWASA frequently took actions which were incompatible with the Town's best interest.

 

Council Member Capowski noted that the Town's OWASA appointees did not make recommendations to the Council.  He noted that the draft outline was a good basis for a future work session.  Council Member Chilton expressed concern that the document would rapidly become dated if the guidelines were too specific.  He suggested that the Mayor's Committee on OWASA matters review the document.  Council Member Andresen said there were a number of ways to approach the matter.  Council Member Herzenberg suggested that the Council complete work on the document prior to making additional appointments to the OWASA Board of Directors.  Mayor Broun inquired whether it was the consensus of the Council that the Mayor's Committee on OWASA should handle this matter.  The Council concurred.  Council Member Chilton inquired when the matter could be scheduled for a work session.  Mr. Horton said the Council could be polled for a possible meeting during May.  Council Member Andresen requested that Council Members provide any comments on the draft policy statement to members of the Mayor's Committee.  Mayor Broun noted that Council Member Capowski also wished to serve on the committee.

 

Transit Funding

 

Transportation Director Bob Godding provided a brief overview of federal and state transit funding.  He noted that the Transportation Advisory Committee had agreed to allocate 44% of the Durham Urbanized Area's federal transit funds to the Town.  Council Member Werner inquired about the source of $400,000 in additional funding for the transit system.  Mr. Godding the funding was a section 9 allocation by the State.  He noted that creative financing mechanisms permitted the exchange of capital dollars for operating dollars.

 

Council Member Werner requested additional information on the transit system's funding situation.  Mr. Godding said there was no guarantee that the amount of federal funding would increase over the next six years.  He noted that the State was currently reserving about $1.5 million in the governor's transportation allocation pool.  Mr. Horton noted that the staff would focus attention on lobbying the Town's legislative delegation for future funding.  Mr. Godding noted that national and state transit associations were working vigorously to preserve future transit funding.  Mayor Broun noted that the Town's transit funding fortunes were tied to those of Durham.  Council Member Capowski inquired whether additional allocations would be shared with the University and Town of Carrboro.  Mr. Godding said yes, noting that it would be shared on an allocation basis.  Council Member Capowski inquired how the financial situation would impact bus fares.  Mr. Horton said he would make specific recommendations in the final budget proposal to the Council.

 

Town and County Library Services

 

Council Member Herzenberg said the situation was not simple.  Council Member Herzenberg noted that Orange County Commissioner Don Willhoit had suggested that the matter of inequities in the provision of library services might be resolved.  Council Member Andresen said it would be a great idea to pursue resolution of library service concerns with Orange County Commissioners.  Council Member Herzenberg said it was unlikely that equity issues could be resolved on a broader scale.  Mr. Horton said the staff could bring a report to the Council tomorrow evening concerning Orange County and State funding of the Town's library services.  Council Member Capowski noted that Town residents paid thirty percent more property taxes to Orange County than to the Town.

 

            Item 6  Discussion with Planning Board

 

Members of the Planning Board in attendance were Acting Chairperson Bruce Guild, Vice-Chairperson Marianna Chambless, Pat Evans, Martin Rody and Mary Reeb.  Mr. Guild inquired what the Council expected from the Planning Board.  He also asked whether the Council was happy with current communications with the Board.  Council Member Andresen said she was concerned that communications were not quite as good as in the past.  Council Member Andresen said she did not know whether it would cause legal problems, but she preferred to see proposals evaluated with more opinions stated.  Council Member Andresen said that she was interested in knowing about processes and regulations that might need to be changed.  She said the Planning Board had done a very good job in formulating small area plans.

 

Council Member Werner said he was very pleased with feedback and information from the Planning Board on specific projects.  Council Member Werner said he was not sure that he wanted to receive opinions concerning matters outside the development ordinance on specific projects.  He suggested that the Planning Board be more aggressive in identifying possible changes in the Development Ordinance.   Council Member Brown said she appreciated hearing about dissenting opinions and receiving the full scope of the Board's discussions.  Council Member Herzenberg said he appreciated the Board's work.  He inquired whether the Planning Board wished to receive full copies of the Council's agenda packet.  Ms. Reeb inquired whether it was possible to receive a summary of items.  Ms. Evans suggested that Planning Board members might pick up materials at the Town Hall. Mr. Guild said the board was interested in receiving planning-related items.

 

Council Member Capowski thanked the Planning Board for its work.  Council Member Capowski suggested that the Board provide suggestions in their recommendations of what would best help the Town.  Council Member Rimer inquired whether the Development Ordinance was adequately serving the community's needs or whether it was time to examine the ordinance in detail.  Ms. Chambless said the ordinance needed to be reviewed for items such as steep slope development.  Ms. Reeb said the matter of unrelated persons living in the same unit needed to be addressed.  Ms. Evans said it was a good idea to review current zoning and other matters.  Mr. Rody suggested that a review of the Town's land use plan was appropriate.  Council Member Andresen noted that the Town's land-use plan had been recently reviewed.  Mr. Guild noted that provisions of the development ordinance pertaining to cluster and mixed-use subdivisions had been abused by some developers.  Council Member Andresen said she would welcome a proposal from the Planning Board to address this situation.

 

Council Member Chilton said he hesitated to solicit the personal reactions of Planning Board members, particularly for special use permits.  Council Member Andresen said she was not opposed to making necessary changes to the Development Ordinance.  She noted that it would take a lot of staff time to completely re-examine the ordinance.  Council Member Andresen noted that a major overhaul was a tremendous undertaking.  Ms. Chambless said she would welcome the opportunity to provide additional input on changes to the Development Ordinance.  Mr. Guild said the Board would endeavor to provide adequate vision for any necessary changes to the Development Ordinance.

 

Mr. Guild noted that the Planning Board spent a considerable amount of time framing questions having conflicting objectives.  He said the Board attempted to present information on both sides of questions.  Council Member Andresen said it was very helpful to provide information on both sides.  Council Member Rimer noted that the Planning Board was in a good position to identify and frame tradeoffs.  He said the Planning Board could provide ranges of alternatives and give its best judgement on matters.  Council Member Capowski said a rewriting of the Development Ordinance involved a huge amount of work.  He stated that it was not a good idea to rewrite the ordinance when development was hectic.

 

Mr. Guild inquired whether the Council found the Board's recommendations credible.  Council Member Werner said yes.  He noted that developers negotiated with the Manager concerning conditions of approval, following consideration of projects by the Planning Board.  Mayor Broun said he found the Planning Board's certification to be very high.  Council Member Rimer noted that the Council probably followed more than ninety percent of the Planning Board's recommendations.  Council Member Rimer said he appreciated the Board's cogent summary reports to the Council.  Mr. Guild said the Planning Board wished to support the Council.  Ms. Reeb and Mr. Guild noted that official development public hearings were held by the Council, rather than the Planning Board.  Mr. Guild noted that the Planning Board had an opportunity to pre-screen many public comments.  Mayor Broun thanked the Planning Board for their input and good work.

 

          Item 7  Discussion with Design Review Board

 

Design Review Board Chairperson Bruce Ballentine introduced Board Members Bob Stipe, David Swanson, Tom Bulthuis and Appearance Commission representative Louise Oldenburg.  He noted that Board Members Michael Hining and Alice Ingram were unable to attend this evening's meeting.  Mr. Ballentine also noted that the Design Review Board had five representatives from development-related boards and commissions.  He said that all members of the Board, excepting the Historic District Commission representative, were voting members.  Mr. Ballentine said the Design Review Board was recommending that the Historic District Commission member be a voting member.  He also said the Board recommend that the Council consider the addition of a Planning Board member to the Design Review Board. 

 

Mr. Ballentine stated that the Board's review process was useful to applicants in determining whether individual projects met the Town's design guidelines. He added that applicants were more willing to make changes early in the process, rather than later.  Mr. Ballentine noted that the Transportation Board representative to the Design Review Board had requested that projects appear before the Transportation Board in the normal sequence of development review.  He stated that the board attempted to encourage and achieve better design at a very early stage in the review process.  Mr. Ballentine stated that reporting to the Council six months prior to Council decision-making was challenging.

 

Mr. Ballentine said the Board attempted to streamline the process where appropriate.  He noted that creating priority status for all proposals was inappropriate and misleading to the Council.  Mr. Ballentine stated that the Board voted on conditions, recommendations and suggestions for each project.  He said that the Board might request that the applicant make revisions early in the process.  Council Member Andresen inquired about the utility of the Board reviewing proposals a third time.  Mr. Ballentine stated that review of projects early in the process was advantageous to applicants and the entire process.  Mr. Ballentine said he did not have a definite recommendation on this matter.  Council Member Werner inquired whether the Board's opinions would change if they reviewed the projects at the same time as the Council.  Mr. Ballentine responded that the Board was primarily examining design issues, rather than planning and zoning.  He noted that citizens had not attended the Board's meetings to date.

 

Council Member Andresen inquired whether the review process was useful for large and small scale projects alike.  Mr. Ballentine stated that early review was beneficial for most projects.  Council Member Brown inquired how developers viewed giving priority status to projects.  Mr. Ballentine said developers were generally very supportive of the process.  He noted that thirteen of forty-six projects filed since the formation of the Board had elected to use the design review process.  Mr. Ballentine said the process offered definite benefits to all parties.

 

Council Member Capowski said it was somewhat paradoxical that a goal of early review was to streamline the development process while the projects being reviewed would be in existence for a long time.  Council Member Capowski inquired about the Design Review Board's desires in reviewing transportation issues and traffic impact matters.  Mr. Ballentine said the Board requested that applicants provide a preliminary transportation statement on anticipated traffic impacts.

 

Council Member Rimer noted that one of the objectives of the Design Review Board was to take a long term view when reviewing individual projects.  He stated that it was not the Board's obligation to streamline review for projects.  Council Member Rimer noted that a conscious effort had been made not to give too much power to the design review process at first.  Council Member Werner expressed his concurrence with Council Member Rimer.  He noted that some conditions of approval referred matters back to other advisory boards and commissions.  Council Member Werner said it might be appropriate for the Council to refer some matters back to the Design Review Board in the future.  He inquired why there was no Planning Board appointee to the Design Review Board.  Mr. Horton noted that all development proposals were eventually reviewed by the Planning Board.  He stated that the Planning Board could be more objective if it were not involved in review early in the process.  Mr. Ballentine said the Design Review Board felt that the Board would benefit from having a Planning Board member.

 

Council Member Andresen said she favored having a Planning Board member on the Design Review Board.  Council Member Andresen said she also favored granting voting status to the Historic District Commission representative.  She suggested that the Council might examine the composition of the board to see if more lay appointees

would provide more balance.  Council Member Andresen expressed concern that residents in the vicinity of the proposed University Place project had not been adequately notified.  Mayor Broun said that there were a number of matters related to the Design Review Board which merited further discussion.  Council Member Rimer suggested that it might be useful for the staff to examine its early notes concerning formation of the Design Review Board.  Mr. Horton said a final report on evaluation of the Design Review Board could be presented at the second regular meeting in May.  Council Member Werner suggested that all projects might appropriately be reviewed by the Transportation Board.  Mr. Ballentine said it was possible for the Transportation Board to review any development proposal.  Council Member Chilton inquired whether there was any criteria for the types of projects which should be reviewed by the Transportation Board.  Mr. Ballentine said there were no written guidelines.  He thanked the Town staff for their outstanding support over the past eighteen months.  Mayor Broun thanked the Design Review for their good work.

 

Council Member Brown noted that elements of the Development Ordinance also applied to older areas of the Town.  She said it was fairly awkward for project additions to be made in older neighborhoods.  She suggested that the Council think about the Development Ordinance in relation to older areas of the Town.  Council Member Andresen suggested that this type of situation could possibly be easily addressed. She inquired whether Council Member Brown had a proposal to address her concerns.  Council Member Brown suggested that the staff could draft some proposals to address her concerns.  Council Member Andresen inquired whether Council Member Brown was specifically concerned about setbacks.  Council Member Brown said she was concerned about setbacks in older neighborhoods and other situations.  She stated that elements of the Duaney and Arendt studies might be useful in addressing some of her concerns.  Council Member Andresen said she was opposed to a major rewriting of the Development Ordinance.  Council Member Brown said she was not suggesting a major overhaul, just an examination of situations in older neighborhoods.

 

Council Member Andresen asked whether any of the problems cited by Council Member Brown related to review by the Historic District Commission.  Council Member Brown said no.  Council Member Andresen noted that recommendations from the Rural Character Study Task Force would be made to the Council in June or July.  Mayor Broun noted that Council Member Rimer would present a report from the Landfill Owners Group at the Council's April 13th meeting.  Noting that the Triangle J Water Resources Committee would be meeting later in the month, Council Member Brown requested that the Council examine a draft document concerning the area's water resources.

 

The session concluded at 9:04 p.m.