AGENDA #9b

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:      Recommendations by the Horace Williams Citizens Committee for the Preparation of a Foundational Study of Environmental Resources at the Horace Williams Property

DATE:            May 22, 2006

PURPOSE

This is Part B of a two part item. It responds to Part A, the final report of the Horace Williams Citizens Committee.

The memorandum proposes that the Town Council accept the recommendations prepared by the Horace Williams Citizens Committee for a Foundational Study of Environmental Resources at the Horace Williams Property and transmit them to the University of North Carolina.

BACKGROUND

On November 9, 2005, the Town Council requested that the Horace Williams Citizens Committee develop recommended options for a process to be conducted by the Council for consideration of University development plans at the Horace Williams Property.

On January 23, 2006, the Town Council adopted the Committee’s recommendation for the preparation of foundational studies for Transportation, Land Conservation and Fiscal Equity.

On May 10, 2006, the Horace Williams Citizens Committee completed and voted unanimously to forward a report to the Town Council that outlined a scope for the preparation of a baseline study of environmental resources on the Horace Williams property.

DISCUSSION

We consider that a baseline study of environmental resources on the Horace Williams property would provide valuable information to the University to guide the preparation of its plans for developing the Horace Williams property.

A baseline study will also provide a basis for monitoring the impacts of the development on the local environment.

The suggested scope of work for the baseline study by the University identifies the following components; stormwater, surface water, groundwater, air quality, noise and light, ecology, geology/soils and landfills.

We believe the baseline study recommended by the Horace Williams Citizens Committee would be useful in addressing the environmental and neighborhood impacts associated with the development of the Horace Williams property.

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend the Council adopt the attached resolution thanking the Horace Williams Citizens Committee for its work and forwarding recommendations prepared by the Committee for a Foundational study of Environmental Resources at the Horace Williams Property to the University of North Carolina.