to: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
from: J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director
Gene Poveromo, Planning Manager
subject: Concept Plan: Chapel of the Cross, 304 East Franklin Street
date: January 21, 2009
Attached is a proposal for a Concept Plan for the Chapel of the Cross, 304 East Franklin Street. The Council has the opportunity tonight to hear this applicant’s presentation, receive a set of comments from the Historic District Commission, hear public comments, and offer suggestions to the applicant for consideration as further plans are drawn. At the conclusion of the evening’s discussion, we recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
This development proposal meets the Land Use Management intensity thresholds requiring Council review.
The Chapel of the Cross is located on the north side of East Franklin Street between the Planetarium and Spencer Dormitory. The first building was built in 1848. A major addition was constructed in 1920.
The Historic District Commission reviewed the Concept Plan on November 13, 2008. Summary Minutes from that meeting are attached.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as “Institutional.”
The Town has received a proposal from Chapel of the Cross for a Concept Plan Review for demolition of the existing Parish House, construction of a new 60,000 square foot Parish House, reconstruction of the driveway, and removal of sections of the stone wall on East Franklin Street. The 1.55-acre site is located at 304 East Franklin Street in the Office/Institutional-3 (OI-3) zoning district. The site is identified as Orange County Parcel Identifier Number 9788-57-0788.
The Town Council and Historic District 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 Historic District 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.
[See also Manager’s Memorandum]
