AGENDA #1
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to: |
Mayor and Town Council |
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from: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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subject: |
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date: |
May 14, 2007 |
Tonight, the Council considers a proposed rezoning to create a Neighborhood Conservation District for the Mason Farm/Whitehead Circle neighborhood.
Tonight’s Public Hearing has been scheduled to receive evidence in support of and in opposition to approval of the application. The purpose of this cover memorandum is to forward my preliminary recommendation to the Council.
I believe creating a Neighborhood Conservation District for the Mason Farm/Whitehead Circle neighborhood is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Use Management Ordinance. My preliminary recommendation is that the Council enact the attached Ordinance, approving the proposed Zoning Atlas Amendment.
The Mason Farm/Whitehead Circle Neighborhood Conservation District proposes a regulation entitled, “Maximum Total Square Footage of Bedrooms in a Dwelling Unit.” I am concerned that the proposed regulation may not have the intended effect on rental development and may be overly burdensome on the single-family property owners instead. This proposal and the staff concerns are discussed beginning on page 4. I encourage the Council to have a thoughtful conversation about this proposal.
Following tonight’s hearing, we will complete a Recommended Neighborhood Conservation District Plan for the Mason Farm/Whitehead Circle Neighborhood. The Neighborhood Conservation District Plan would detail the guidelines for the Neighborhood Conservation District and the boundary. If approved by the Town Council, the Plan would be incorporated as a part of the Land Use Management Ordinance, and would be subject to modification in the same manner as any other amendment to the Zoning Atlas.
The Plan will be presented when the hearing is continued at the time this returns for Council consideration.