CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: Downtown Economic Development Initiative, Town Parking Lot #5 Project
DATE: March 20, 2006
INTRODUCTION
Attached is a proposal for Concept Plan review. This proposal involves construction of three buildings containing 267,927 square feet of retail and residential floor area at the Town-owned Parking Lot #5. The site is located between West Franklin Street and West Rosemary Street at Church Street. The 1.75-acre site is located in the Town Center-2 (TC-2) zoning district and is identified as Chapel Hill Tax Map 85, Block K, Lots 1, 2, 2A, 17, 17A, 17B, and 18.
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 March 15, 2006, the Community Design Commission reviewed a Concept Plan Proposal for the Town Parking Lot #5 project. The proposal reviewed by the Community Design Commission is identical to the proposal before the Council tonight.
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 the 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).
A Concept Plan for this site was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on March 15, 2006. A summary of comments from the March 15, 2006 meeting will be distributed when it is available.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan Proposal includes the construction of three buildings. The buildings will range in height from four to nine stories. The proposed construction includes an underground parking deck with approximately 375 parking spaces, 124 residential dwelling units, and 24,000 square feet of retail floor area. The proposed development is located between West Franklin Street and West Rosemary Street at the intersection of Church Street.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies the site as Town/Village Center. The site is located in the Town Center-2 (TC-2) zoning district. The property is located within the Town limits and the Town Urban Service Area. The property is identified as Chapel Hill Tax Map 85, Block K, Lots 1, 2, 2A, 17, 17A, 17B, and 18.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
ATTACHMENTS
