ATTACHMENT 4

Tuesday 5 February 2008

Chapel Hill Planning Board

Subject:            Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment regarding minimum land area requirements in Planned Developments-Housing in residential districts

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment.

I do not support changing the requirement from 5 acres to 1 acre.  I think that is too drastic a change.

I appreciate that many want to take advantage of the quality of life we enjoy here in Chapel Hill.  However, I am concerned that the increased density will impact everyone’s quality of life.  In addition, higher density has implications for safety (accommodating emergency vehicles when narrow streets are used for parking); the environment (more tree removal); and privacy.

The Town Planning office has been very helpful in explaining the zoning process.  I understand that the current zoning density calculation is based on the “net area” purchased or the “gross area” (which can include part of the adjacent street). 

If the property includes a Resource Conservation District (RCD), the current zoning density calculation does not exclude this land even though the developer cannot build within the RCD.  Therefore, the density of the development is already higher than one would expect by using the density calculation.   Lowering the land use requirement on “net area” could result in even more homes per acre if the tract includes a RCD.

I think the zoning density calculation should be based on “buildable area.”  This would exclude the area within an RCD.

Over the past months, the residents of the The Meadows have expressed concerns to the developer, Design Commission, and Town Council about the environmental, safety, density, and privacy issues of the proposed Sanctuary at Cobblestone Creek. The latest version includes 24 homes (12 duplexes), a pool and clubhouse, on approximately 3.5 acres which includes an RCD.

Thank you again for the opportunity to provide comment.

Timothy A. Kuhn

The Meadows

37 Clover Drive

Chapel Hill, NC  27517