AGENDA #6

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:      Continuation of Concept Plan Review: Shortbread Lofts Affordable Housing Program Proposal

DATE:            March 27, 2006

PURPOSE

Tonight the Council continues the January 18, 2006 Public Hearing concerning the Concept Plan for the Shortbread Lofts residential development.  Tonight’s hearing is in response to a request from Larry Short and Delores Bailey, seeking Town Council comments on a proposed affordable housing program for the Shortbread Lofts project.

We recommend that the Council review the applicant’s proposal and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.

BACKGROUND

On October 26, 2005, the Community Design Commission reviewed a Concept Plan Proposal for

Shortbread Lofts.  Summary comments from that meeting are attached.  The Town Council reviewed the Shortbread Lofts Concept Plan on January 18, 2006. On February 27, 2006, the applicant petitioned the Council seeking Council comments on a proposed affordable housing program for the Shortbread Lofts project.  A copy of the petition is attached.

DISCUSSION

The proposed Shortbread Lofts project involves the demolition of an office building and a 20-unit residential structure and the construction of 180,584 square feet of retail and residential floor area on the south side of West Rosemary Street between Mitchell Lane and Church Street.  The development proposal includes 168 dwelling units and 229 new parking spaces.  The 1.2-acre site is located in the Town Center-2 (TC-2) zoning district.

Tonight the applicant will describe the proposed affordable housing program for the Shortbread Lofts project.  Additional information from the applicant is attached to this memorandum.

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend that the Council review the applicant’s proposal and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Petition from Mr. Larry Short and Ms. Delores Bailey (p. 4).

2. Additional information submitted by the applicant (p. 8).

3. Community Design Commission summary comments, October 26, 2005 (p. 11).