to: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
from: J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director
Gene Poveromo, Development Manager
subject: Concept Plan: Altemueller Mixed Use Development, 1641 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
date: February 16, 2009
INTRODUCTION
Tonight, the Council considers a Concept Plan from Bill Christian and Associates for the Altemueller mixed use development. The applicant proposes to construct 300,000 square feet of floor area for a mixed use development on a 12.9 acre site. Parking for 350 vehicles is also proposed. The applicant is also proposing to preserve the Altemueller farm house. 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.
February 21, 2007 A Concept Plan for 48 dwelling units comprising 72,000 square feet of floor area, two banks with drive-thru windows, and a 22,000 square foot office/retail building and 204 parking spaces was presented to the Community Design Commission. The proposal did not include the preservation of the Altemueller farm house.
May 21, 2007 The Town Council approved a moratorium for northwest Chapel Hill, including the Altemueller property. Subsequent to the meeting the Council established the Northern Area Task Force.
January 14, 2008 The Town Council adopted the Northern Area Task Force Report. The report identified the Altemueller site as Mixed-Use, 8-15 dwellings per acre. The report also recommended retention and active use of the farmhouse and nearby significant trees. A portionof the Northern Area Task Force report is attached.
January 28, 2009 The Community Deign Commission reviewed a revised Concept Plan for the Altemueller property. The revised plan includes preservation of the Altemueller farm house.
Summary Minutes from the January 28, 2009 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 mixed use and a Development Opportunity site, with reference to the Northern Area Task Force report.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Concept Plan proposes to demolish two existing single family homes and several outbuildings and construct 300,000 square feet of floor area including 110 residential dwelling units, hotel, and office/retail space. Parking for 280 vehicles is proposed on the 12.9-acre site. The historic Altemueller farm house is proposed to be preserved and incorporated into the development.
The application submitted includes two concept plan options. The proposed development is located at 1641 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. between Weaver Dairy Road Extension and New Parkside Drive adjacent to Northwood V subdivision. Access to the site is proposed from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The site is located in the Residential-2 (R-2) zoning district, the Northern Area small area plan, and the Resource Conservation District. The site is identified as Orange County Parcel Identifier Number 880-24-4842.
This proposed development 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.
[See also Town Manager’s Memorandum]
