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to: |
Mayor and Town Council |
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from: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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subject: |
Public Hearing: Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment – Modifications to the Neighborhood Conservation District Process |
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date: |
September 17, 2007 |
PURPOSE
Tonight, the Council considers a proposed Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment regarding modifications to the Neighborhood Conservation District Process.
Tonight’s Public Hearing has been scheduled to receive public comment about the proposed text amendment. The purpose of this cover memorandum is to forward my preliminary recommendation to the Council.
MANAGER’S PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION
The proposed Land Use Management Text Amendment would modify two aspects of the process by which Neighborhood Conservation Districts are developed. The first modification would increase the minimum age of a neighborhood to be considered for a Neighborhood Conservation District from 25 years to 40 years. The second modification would divide the Neighborhood Conservation District initiation process into two phases. Phase One would require a Town Council or citizen petition to initiate a Neighborhood Conservation District Public Information Meeting. Phase Two would require a second Council or citizen petition to initiate the formal process of creating a Neighborhood Conservation District and would include a “Feasibility Review” by the Planning Board.
I believe the proposed modifications to the Neighborhood Conservation District process are beneficial because they will help inform residents about the purpose and application of a Neighborhood Conservation District before the formal process to amend the Zoning Atlas is begun. My preliminary recommendation is that the Council enact the attached Ordinance, approving the proposed Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment.