ATTACHMENT 2
|
|
PLANNING phone (919) 968-2728 fax (919)
969-2014 |
CONCEPT PLAN REVIEW SUMMARY MINUTES
COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
Chairperson Jonathan Whitney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission members present were Mark Broadwell, Mary Margaret Carroll, George Cianciolo, Chris Culbreth, Kathryn James, Laura King Moore, Glenn Parks, and Jonathan Whitney. Staff members present were Senior Planner Kay Pearlstein, and Planning Technician Kay Tapp.
CHAPEL HILL 40 CONCEPT PLAN, AKA THE CAMPUS AT
VILCOM
File No. 9880-46-8090
The Town has received a proposal from Redwing Land, LLC for a Concept Plan Review for Chapel Hill 40, formerly known as the Campus at Vilcom. The Chapel Hill 40 campus is located on the north side of Weaver Dairy Road and south of Interstate 40. The Concept Plan proposes to construct an 80,000 square foot hotel on the northeast corner of the Chapel Hill 40 campus. The 4-story hotel is proposed to have 125 rooms and outdoor swimming pool. Parking spaces for 155 vehicles are also proposed. Access is proposed from two Weaver Dairy Road driveways. The 17.36-acre site is located in the Office/Institutional-2 (OI-2) zoning district. The site is identified as Orange County Parcel Identifier Number 9880-46-8090.
CONCEPT PLAN PRESENTATION
The applicant for Chapel Hill 40 (aka Campus at Vilcom) presented a proposal for building with a footprint the same as was approved by the Master Plan but adding another floor and proposed as a hotel with the option for an office building.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
No citizens spoke on this item.
COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
- Commissioner Mary Margaret Carroll asked when the building was proposed to be constructed. The applicant replied that they want the flexibility to construct either a hotel or office building and that construction would be dependent on what they construct.
- Commissioner Glenn Parks had no objection to either the hotel or the office building but suggested that whatever building is constructed that it be “green.” He recommended that the building be progressive and that use of native plants in the landscape be continued.
- Commissioner Kathryn James stated that the Northern Area Task force (previously a member) discussed hotels in the area. Hotels using Green technology similar to the Proximity Hotel Greensboro were recommended.
Commissioner James is concerned about traffic and stormwater impacts on adjacent neighborhoods, especially Kensington Heights located down slope from the proposed development. She recommended greenway connections and that Shirley Road remain and be incorporated with pedestrian circulation.
- Commissioner Chris Culbreth believed the proposed location excellent for a hotel. He recommended that the applicant consider stormwater recapturing, high efficiency toilets, and LEED certification.
- Commissioner Laura Moore asked about vehicular parking. The applicant replied that ten spaces were deleted with the hotel plan.
Commissioner Moore stated that landscape buffers would be needed to make neighbors of the hotel feel comfortable.
- Commissioner George Cianciolo supported the hotel concept. He wondered if a second entrance to the campus had been approved with the original Special Use Permit. The applicant replied that it was and is currently used as the construction entrance but would become the primary entrance once completed.
Commissioner Cianciolo stated that the existing site lighting was excessive and recommended more subdued lighting with downward orientation with future expansion.
Commissioner Cianciolo asked about zoning for the site, since a previous restaurant had been located there. The applicant replied that the original Special Use Permit approved a day care center and a restaurant. The applicant believed that the proposal for a hotel would require a rezoning of the site.
- Commissioners Mark Broadwell and Jonathan Whitney supported the hotel with LEED certification.
Prepared for: Jonathan Whitney, Chair
Prepared by: Kay Pearlstein, Staff