CONCEPT PLAN REVIEW SUMMARY MINUTES
COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, September 20, 2006, 7:00 P.M.

Chairperson Jonathan Whitney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission members present were: Mark Broadwell, Mary Margaret Carroll, George Cianciolo, Kathryn James, Scott Nilsen, Amy Ryan, and Jonathan Whitney (Chair). Staff present were: Senior Planner Kay Pearlstein and Planning Technician Kay Tapp.

OLD OXFORD SUBDIVISION (File No. PIN 9777-64-2202)

The Town has received a request for review of a Concept Plan proposal for new single family development with four lots. The lots are proposed to be served by private well and septic utilities. The site contains a single family dwelling proposed to be retained on new Lot 3. Proposed access to the site is from Woodward Way. The site is located south and west of the Dogwood Acres neighborhood, on the east side of Smith Level Road between Dogwood Acres Drive and Woodward Way. The site is located outside of the Town Limits and the Urban Services Boundary. The 24.3-acres site is located in the Residential Low Density-5 (RLD-5) zoning district, the Resource Conservation District and is identified as Chapel Hill Township, Tax Map 126.A.17, PIN 9777-64-2202.>

CONCEPT PLAN PRESENTATION

Engineer for the project, Warren Mitchell and developer Andy Green presented a plan for a major 4-lot subdivision on over 23 acres on Smith Level Road outside of the Town limits and Urban Services boundary. Mr. Green reported that he has conducted a meeting for adjacent neighbors to inform them of the project and to answer questions.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

No citizens spoke on the application.

COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

1. Commissioner Mark Broadwell asked what questions arose at the neighborhood meeting.

   The applicant replied that 2 concerns arose: 1.) that the entrance to the subdivision from Woodward Way not be proposed adjacent to Dogwood Acres lots and 2.) where were the house locations proposed.

   The applicant replied that the road was not proposed adjacent to Dogwood Acres lots and that house locations will be determined by topography and soil suitability for septic fields.

2. Commissioner Katherine James supported the Low Impact Design ideas and wanted to know how the proposed grass swales function, especially on steep slopes where not effective.

   The applicant replied that the road was proposed without curb and gutter and proposed swales instead to capture stormwater runoff. He stated that each lot would be proposing their own stormwater management on a per lot basis. He stated that he would examine the road layout carefully as it relates to topography.

3. Commissioner Amy Ryan asked if a Stream Determination had been done. The applicant replied that one had been done and was reflected on the plans.

   Commissioner Ryan believed that maintenance of the rural character was important and that screening along Smith Level Road was critical, especially if large homes were proposed. She advised the applicant to keep the existing fields as much as possible and for the development to reflect the history of the area and be sensitive to the rural context.

4. Commissioner Jonathan Whitney asked for an explanation for the disturbance shown in the aerial view on the northern property line. The applicant responded that it is an existing landscape operation with mulch and topsoil stock piles. He stated that he would likely sell a 9-acre lot with the landscape operation..

   Commissioner Whitney wanted to know what was proposed for the existing house shown on the plans. The applicant responded that it is a rental house and will eventually be demolished and replaced.

5. Commissioner George Cianciolo noted that the minimum lot size for the zoning area was a 5-acre minimum and that a 9-acre lot could not be further subdivided unless additional land was acquired.   

SUMMARY

The Commission generally supported the development and cautioned that the rural nature of the area be maintained, noting that little of rural Chapel Hill remains and what does should be preserved.

Prepared for:   Jonathan Whitney, Chair

Prepared by:    Kay Pearlstein, Staff