to: Mayor and Town Council
from: Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager
subject: 1609 East Franklin Street – Rezoning and Special Use Permit Applications (File No. 9799-04-7995)
date: February 23, 2009
Tonight, the Council continues the January 21, 2009 public hearing [http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org/agendas/2009/01/21] regarding a request from Coulter Jewell Thames for a conditional use rezoning and Special Use Permit for an office building. The site is on the north side of East Franklin Street between Estes Drive and Elliott Road.
The public hearing has been continued to receive evidence in support of and in opposition to approval of the applications, as the Council determines the appropriate action on the applications. The purpose of this cover memorandum is to forward my recommendations to the Council.
I have reviewed and discussed the key issues with Town staff. Based on the information in the record to date, I believe that (1) based on elements of the Comprehensive Plan, the rezoning could be approved by the Council with enactment of Ordinance A; and (2) with the conditions in the attached revised Resolution A, the Council could make findings required to approve an application for a Special Use Permit.
Revised Resolution A retains our recommended Stipulation #9 calling for a pedestrian connection to Velma Road. Our recommendation is based on consistency with the Town’s policy to provide pedestrian connection between commercial and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as consistency with the recommendations in the 1991 East Franklin Street Corridor Study. This stipulation can be removed from Revised Resolution A if the Council so chooses.
Further evidence concerning these applications may be submitted at tonight’s public hearing.