CONCEPT PLAN
REVIEW SUMMARY MINUTES
COMMUNITY DESIGN
COMMISSION
JANUARY 24, 2007,
7:00 P.M.
Chairperson Jonathan Whitney
called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissions attending the meeting were
Mary Margaret Carroll, George Cianciolo, Chris Culbreth, Gretchen MacNair,
Laura King Moore, Amy Ryan, Jonathan Whitney, Chair, and Robin Whitsell. Staff
members present were Senior Planner Kay Pearlstein and Planning Technician Kay Tapp.
SANCTUARY
AT COBBLESTONE CREEK (File No.9799-46-5105)
The Town has
received a request for a Concept Plan Review which proposes to construct a
multi-family development including 26 dwelling units including 50,000 square
feet of floor area on approximately 3.5 acres. A pool, clubhouse, and
playground are also proposed. Vehicular access is proposed from Legion Road via a private street. Demolition of two existing dwellings is proposed. The site
is located on the south side of Legion Road between the American Legion Post #6
and Turnberry Condominiums (see area map on back). The site is located in the
Residential-4 (R-4) and Residential-2 (R-2) zoning districts and in the
Resource Conservation District (RCD). The site is identified as Orange County
Parcel Identifier Numbers 9799-46-5105 and 9799-45-6975.
CONCEPT PLAN PRESENTATION
The Concept Plan presentation for
the project showed the proposed layout design for the development. The
applicant explained that the proposal was for single family houses to be owner
occupied with Common Area and no private yard areas.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
- Timothy Kuhn was concerned about where cars were to be parked along a one-way road. He felt that
20 homes were more suitable on the site than the proposed 26 dwellings.
- Virginia Gray, a neighbor from The Meadows, was concerned about
flooding. She had severe environmental concerns with the development. She
stated that the other side of Legion Road had directed stormwater management
but that was not the case on the south side of the road where the project was
proposed, she was worried that the project would affect downstream neighbors.
She also noted that at one time the American Legion Post property was
identified as a school site and wanted to know how a school would impact the
property and traffic.
- Bruce Turner, a neighbor, read from a hand-out presented at the meeting
with a list of 13 concerns (attached).
- Scott Baker liked the smaller homes. He had a concerns about houses
proposed on the other side of the Resource Conservation District adjacent to
The Meadows. He felt that houses were jammed up against the property line and
that removal of the trees in that area would remove privacy and environmental
protection.
- The president of the Turnberry Condominiums Homeowners Association had
concerns early on in the process but is now supportive. He reported that the
applicant met and worked with the Turnberry neighborhood and their concerns
were now addressed by the application. They were supportive of the project.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
- Commissioner Chris Culbreth believed that the development is a good use
for the site. He recommended that the applicant work with The Meadows neighbors
as he worked with the Turnberry Condominiums neighbors.
He recommended
that the applicant consider 1-level houses or houses with first floor master
bedrooms to address an aging population housing needs. He noted that The
Meadows has 2-car garages, and suggested that the applicant consider that some
of the houses include larger garages.
- Commissioner Cianciolo stated the proposed street must meet Town standards,
even if it is private. He wanted to see sidewalks along the streets. He pointed
out that the proposed central corridor walkway will not work unless sidewalks
are provided in front of the residences as well. He recommended sidewalk
connectivity.
He also stated that the Tree Ordinance was currently proposing to be strengthened and could
restrict trees being removed within the RCD. He also did not believe this was still considered for a
school site.
- Commissioner Laura King Moore supported the smaller sized homes and
pointed out that there was a scarcity in Chapel Hill. She was concerned about
the 1-way street and thought that it was too long in length for a 1-way street.
She felt that parking in driveways would overflow onto the street and that cars
would have difficulty on a 1-way street. She is looking forward to the project
and supported it overall.
- Commissioner Amy Ryan liked the smaller houses being proposed. She
believed that the design was too schematic and needed more design elements. She
was concerned about the buffers with the adjacent neighborhoods and that the
project was too dense. She suggested that the homes be clustered more densely
at the road and leave more of the land in the back near the RCD undisturbed.
She suggested that the road cross the RCD once at most, not twice as proposed. She also did
not support a 12-foot road. She did support the smaller houses being proposed.
- Commissioner Mary Margaret Carroll also did not support the 1-way road
and felt that there could be backing up into Legion Road. She wanted to see how
the development will be lit and how signage will work.
- Commissioner Robin Whitsell was concerned about parking and setbacks.
She supported single family homes instead of duplexes and supported street
sidewalks.
She was concerned about the setbacks form adjacent properties but
looked forward to the project’s return. She recommended that the applicant
continue working with the neighbors concerns.
- Commissioner Jonathan Whitney wanted to see cross-sections through the
site, and tree canopies located on the plans.
Summary
The
Commission supported to smaller-sized homes being proposed. They supported sidewalks along the street and
wider streets to allow for overflow parking. The traffic circulation throughout
the site was a general concern, especially crossing the RCD with a road twice.
They were also concerned about buffering adjacent neighbors, tree removal, and
sensitive preservation of the Resource Conservation District.
Prepared
for: Jonathan Whitney, Chair
Prepared
by: Kay Pearlstein, Staff