AGENDA #12

MEMORANDUM

TO:

Mayor and Town Council

FROM:

Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

SUBJECT:

Carolina North Professional Services

DATE:

June 11, 2007

PURPOSE

Tonight we request feedback from the Council regarding the anticipated receipt of Requests for Qualification regarding creation of development regulations for the University’s Horace Williams property (aka Carolina North).

Adoption of the attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement regarding development regulations for the University’s Horace Williams property (aka Carolina North) for an amount not to exceed $120,000.

BACKGROUND

On April 2, 2007, the Town issued a Request for Qualifications seeking professional services from a qualified and experienced consultant to provide assistance with negotiations between the Town and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to establish development regulations for the University’s Horace Williams property, including but not limited to zoning requirements, building standards, and development agreement(s).

On May 21, 2007 the Town re-issued the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) due to inadequate response.  A copy of the re-issued RFQ is attached.  Responses are due on June 8, 2007.

DISCUSSION

We believe that the establishment of a new zoning district and possible building standards for the Horace Williams property needs to be a process negotiated jointly between the University and the Town.

The idea of sharing the cost of a consultant with the University to aid in the negotiation process to establish regulations has been discussed by the Council.  We anticipate that the cost of the consulting services could be as high as $120,000.  We look to the Council for guidance on whether the sharing of cost should be explored further.

We understand the University is moving toward presentation of a conceptual plan for Carolina North to the Board of Trustees in July 2007.

RECOMMENDATION

We believe we will have an opportunity this summer to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with a qualified consultant to assist the Town in its negotiations with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to establish development regulations for the University’s Horace Williams property, including but not limited to zoning requirements, building standards, and development agreement(s). 

Adoption of the attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement regarding development regulations for the University’s Horace Williams property (aka Carolina North) for an amount not to exceed $120,000.

ATTACHMENT

  1. Request for Qualifications (p. 4).