ATTACHMENT 2

 

 

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE
 PUBLIC FORUM OF NOVEMBER 20, 2006

 

 

Potential Advantages of the Project

 

-Mixed use adds life to downtown

-Residents downtown year-round desirable

-Will stimulate other private development

-Residential development is the key to revitalization

-Will visit cultural facilities, businesses, increase tourist dollars

-Need diversity of pubic spaces and flexibility for uses

-Proposal could be a model for other developers

-Project embodies sustainability principles: economic, environmental, social

-Improves quality of life

-Reduces dependence on automobile

-Improves ability to work where live

-Helps prevent sprawl and retain rural buffer

-Removes surface parking

-Provides significant public open space

-Improves tax base

-Commend LEED certification and energy efficiency

-Improves public safety downtown

-Provides affordable housing

-Consistent with Downtown Small Area Plan

-Is right place for a taller building

-Downtown needs a multiple use center to attract people

-Quality of the design is high

-Public art will be center stage

-Supports vibrant, walkable, liveable community

-Economically a good deal for the Town

-Indirect public benefits make deal even better

-It is the right place for the project; keeps out of neighborhoods

-Will provide more people downtown to sustain retail downtown uses

-If we want to retain the rural buffer, we need more density in Town of Chapel Hill

-Thanks for keeping the affordable housing in the proposal

 

Concerns Noted Regarding the Project

 

-Make design fit in with Chapel Hill

-Financial risk too great for the Town

-Wrong place for this development; put in neighborhoods?

-Ruins spirit of Chapel Hill

-Principle of revenue neutral investment not being met

-Take more time to consider project

-Latest “magic bullet” that will not improve quality of life

-Will units be quiet and have firewall construction?

-Will it be family housing?

-Incorporate solar technology and be a model for energy conservation

-Is commitment to local businesses being met?

-What happens if the developer goes bankrupt?

-99-year lease is too long

-Buyout of rights in 50 years could be a concern for Town down the road

-Make sure underground parking is well-lit

-Make sure condominium association dues are reasonable for the affordable units