to: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
from: J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director
Gene Poveromo, Development Manager
subject: Concept Plan: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Elementary School #11
date: December 8, 2008
INTRODUCTION
Tonight, the Council considers a Concept Plan from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools for Elementary School #11. The applicant proposes to construct 100,000 square feet of floor area for a new elementary school on a 7.9 acre site. Parking for 84 vehicles is also proposed. In accordance with the Land Use Management Ordinance, there has been no staff review of this Concept Plan.
This development proposal meets the land use intensity thresholds requiring Council review.
December 3, 1976 A Special Use Permit was approved for Orange-Person-Chatham Mental Health Clinic for three buildings totaling 24,672 square feet of floor area with 83 parking spaces.
January 9, 1978 A Special Use Permit was issued for The Northside Complex for educational and/or non-profit character.
May 9, 1996 Approval was granted by Town staff for a building addition for the Community School for People Under Six.
September 8, 2008 Council granted expedited processing for Elementary School #11.
November 12, 2008 The Community Design Commission reviewed a Concept Plan for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Elementary School #11.
Summary Minutes from the November 12, 2008 Community Design Commission meeting are attached. The proposal reviewed by the Community Design Commission is identical to the proposal before the Council tonight.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies the site as Institutional. The property is located in a Neighborhood Conservation District.
The Town has received a proposal from the Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools for a Concept Plan Review for Elementary School #11, located at 400 Caldwell Street. The Concept Plan proposes to demolish four existing buildings and parking areas and construct 100,000 square feet of floor area for pre-kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms. Proposed construction includes a gymnasium, cafeteria, and media center. Parking for 84 vehicles is also proposed on the 7.9-acre site. The proposed development is located between Caldwell Street and McMasters Street in the Northside neighborhood. Access to the site is proposed from both McMasters Street and Caldwell Street. The site is located in the Residential-3 (R-3) zoning district, the Northside Neighborhood Conservation District, and the Resource Conservation District. The site is identified as Orange County Parcel Identifier Number 9788-18-1797.
The proposal, if developed as proposed, will require a rezoning application.
The Town Council and Community Design Commission, in examining Concept Plan proposals, are to consider the various aspects of design, with special emphasis on whether the proposed development is consistent with the Town’s Design Guidelines and the Goals and Objectives of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Concept Plan review process does not involve staff evaluation of the proposal. Review of the submitted Concept Plan is conducted by the Community Design Commission and, in some instances, the Town Council.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinance, tonight’s Concept Plan review affords Council members the opportunity to provide individual reactions to the overall concept of the development which is being contemplated for future application.
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt the attached Resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
