CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: University of North Carolina – Park/Ride Terminal at the Chapel Hill Bible Church
DATE: April 19, 2006
INTRODUCTION
Attached is a proposal for Concept Plan review for a Park/Ride Terminal at the Chapel Hill Bible Church. The applicant, the University of North Carolina, is proposing an employee park and ride lot for 241 vehicles. No site changes are proposed. The site is located on Sage Road between Old Sterling Road and Erwin Road. The site is located in the Residential-3-Conditional zoning district and is identified as Orange County, Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 26, Lots 18 and 46.
BACKGROUND
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October 12, 1998 |
The Town Council approved a Special Use Permit for the Chapel Hill Bible Church. |
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March 25, 2002 |
The Town Council discussed the University of North Carolina pursuing development of a Park/Ride Terminal at the Chapel Hill Bible Church (Attachment 4). |
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May 13, 2002 |
The Town Council authorized the expansion of the Chapel Hill Bible Church parking lot to a total of 803 parking spaces. |
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March 27, 2006 |
The Town Council approved a request for expedited processing for a Special Use Permit Modification for the Chapel Hill Bible Church for a Park/Ride Terminal.
Copies of citizen queries and statements to the Town concerning the development proposal are attached (Attachments 5 and 6). |
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March 29, 2006 |
The Community Design Commission reviewed a Concept Plan Proposal for Chapel Hill Bible Church Park/Ride Terminal. The proposal reviewed by the Community Design Commission is identical to the proposal before the Council tonight. |
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 below.
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:
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Characteristic |
Threshold Triggering Council Review |
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Land Area |
5 acre |
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Floor Area |
100,000 square feet |
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# 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 (Attachment 1).
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:
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 March 29, 2006. A copy of the Commission’s summary comments from the March 29 meeting is attached to this memorandum (Attachment 3).
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan proposal is for a Park/Ride Terminal for University of North Carolina employees at the existing parking lot for the Chapel Hill Bible Church. The proposed area for the park/ride is located on the northern and eastern portions of the existing parking lot. No changes to the site are proposed.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Institutional. The site is located in the Residential-3-Conditional (R-3-C) zoning district. The property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 26, Lots 18 and 46.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
ATTACHMENTS
