CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: Greenbridge – Mixed Use Development
DATE: February 20, 2006
INTRODUCTION
Attached is a proposal for Concept Plan review for a mixed-use development located on the south side of West Rosemary Street between North Merritt Mill Road and North Graham Street. The applicant’s proposal includes the demolition of several commercial and residential structures in order to construct 184,000 square feet of floor area. The proposed project includes a nine-story building and an underground parking deck with 195 spaces. The 1.32-acre site is located in the Town Center–2 (TC-2) zoning district.
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 acre
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.
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 above.
BACKGROUND
On January 24, 2006, the Community Design Commission reviewed a revised Concept Plan Proposal for Greenbridge. The proposal before the Council tonight. is four views of the proposed building.
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 January 24, 2006. A copy of the Commission’s summary comments from the January 24 meeting is attached to this memorandum.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan application proposal describes a nine-story mixed use development to be located on a 1.32-acre site located on the south side of West Rosemary Street, with frontage on North Merritt Mill Road and North Graham Street. The current site contains parking areas and four structures: two residential structures, a one-story place of worship, and a restaurant. The development proposal includes 184,000-square feet of floor area and 195 underground parking spaces.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Town/Village Center. The site is located in the Town Center–2 (TC-2) zoning district. The property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 92, Block C, Lots 2, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 14, and 15.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
ATTACHMENTS
