OVERVIEW

 

Prior to submittal of a formal development application, all major development proposals are required to be reviewed while they are still at a “conceptual” stage.  In particular, it is the intent of the “Concept Plan” review process that citizens and members of the Community Design Commission have an opportunity to review a site analysis and a conceptual plan in order to evaluate the impact of a major development proposal on the character of the area in which it is proposed to be located.  This process is intended to take into consideration the general form of the land before and after development as well as the spatial relationships of the proposed structures, open spaces, landscaped areas, and general access and circulation patterns as they relate to the proposed development and the surrounding area.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Community Design Commission conducted a Concept Plan Review for this potential development on Wednesday, December 19, 2001.  The Concept Plan proposes to modify the Meadowmont Master Land Use Plan and the Meadowmont Village Center Special Use Permit. 

 

The Meadowmont development is generally located along NC Highway 54, between the UNC Friday Center and the Oaks neighborhood.  The Meadowmont Master Land Use Plan was approved in 1995, and allowed a total of 1,298 dwelling units on the 435-acre site.  The Meadowmont Village Center Special Use Permit was approved in 1997, and allowed retail and office floor area, and 24 dwelling units.

 

The applicant is proposing to relocate 74 approved dwelling units from other portions of the Meadowmont development to the Village Center.  This would not represent an increase in the total number of dwelling units (1,298) approved for the overall site.

 

The site is located in the Mixed Use Residential-1 (MU-R-1) , Residential-5-Conditional (R-5-C) and Residential-1 (R-1) zoning districts.  The overall site is located in both Orange and Durham Counties.  The property is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 52, Lot 20.  This proposal would require Council approval of a Master Land Use Plan Modification and a Special Use Permit Modification application.

 

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS ON CONCEPT PLAN

 

There were no citizen comments on the conceptual development plan.

 

CONCEPT PLAN REVIEW

 

The Community Design Commission reviewed the conceptual development plan submittal and discussed the following topics:

 

1.      The Commission expressed support for the proposed addition of residential units to the Village Center.  One Commission member encouraged the applicant to add even more residential units to the Village Center.

2.      Several of the Commission members noted that innovative architecture and quality building materials would play a key role in the success of this proposal, particularly with regard to the appearance of Buildings A and K from NC Highway 54. 

3.      One Commission member recommended that Building K include a variety of facade materials.  Another Commission member noted that the appearance of this building was very important because it would define the western edge of the Village Center.

4.      The Commission concurred that Building A must be an “architectural gem.”  Several Commission members encouraged the applicant to develop this building on all four facades, and develop an anchor building at this corner which is visually interesting 24 hours a day.  One Commission member noted that the current appearance at this corner is “institutional” in nature, and that additional diversity and variety (particularly with regard to height), would be desirable. 

5.      One Commission member expressed concern about truck access to Building K.

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by:                 Weezie Oldenburg, Chair, Community Design Commission

                                    Rob Wilson, Staff

SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL COMMENTS

 

 

Subject:                       Meadowmont Master Land Use Plan - Concept Plan Proposal

 

Meeting Date:           September 17, 2003

 

Recommendation:      That the comments of the Commission be forwarded to the applicant and the Town Council.

 

Vote:   Unanimous to forward comments by members present:  Richard Barrett, George Cianciolo, Dale Coker, Chris Culbreth, Terry Eason, Thatcher Freund, Laura King Moore, Scott Nilsen, Charlotte Newby (Vice Chair), Amy Ryan, Polly Van de Velde. 

 

Commission member comments:

 

1.      A majority of Commission members stated that they were pleased to see a proposal to add additional residential units to the Village Center.

 

2.      One Commission member expressed a concern that the proposed plan will result in increased impervious surface area in the Village Center.

 

3.      Another Commission member expressed a general concern with the vitality of the existing retail environment of the Village Center.  The Commissioner noted that the Village Center needs to include specialized retails stores in addition to providing commercial activity that accommodates the needs of nearby residents.  Also negatively impacting the retail environment of the Village Center was the associated proposal to eliminate approximately 4,000 square feet of commercial floor area.

 

4.      The Commission member also stated that the proposal did not appear to include an increase in the overall number of parking spaces in the Village Center.  It was suggested that this impact on parking from the 82 additional residential units, could create a burden on retail merchants trying to attract customers to the Village Center.

 

 

 

Prepared by:   Charlotte Newby (Vice-Chair)

Gene Poveromo, Staff