AGENDA #4c

 

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Calling Public Hearing to Consider OI-4 Zoning District Changes

 

DATE:             April 26, 2004

 

 

The attached resolution would call a Public Hearing for October 18, to consider changes to the Office/Institutional-4 (OI-4) Zoning District.

 

DISCUSSION

 

During recent discussions about University development and land use regulations, Council members have heard suggestions for adjustments to the OI-4 Zoning District.  Most of the suggestions to date are related to time frames and procedures for review of University development applications. 

 

Following is a list of possible changes that have been suggested to date:

 

• Allow more time for Council action on an application for a Development Plan or Modification of a Development Plan.  The current requirement is that the Council takes action on such an application within 90 days of the date of Town acceptance of a complete application.

 

• Require that a Concept Plan be presented for Council consideration prior to submittal of an application for a Development Plan or Modification of a Development Plan.

 

• Allow more time for Council action on applications that involve a Perimeter Transition Area.

 

• Specify that the Planning Board make a recommendation on such applications, rather than a requirement that the Board review applications; allow time for two Planning Board meetings to consider such applications, similar to what is specified now for Special Use Permit applications.

 

• Establish a system of quarterly meetings with University representatives to review the status of projects in construction, and offer a preview of projects that are planned.

 

• Add a finding that the Council must make in order to approve a Development Plan or Development Plan Modification:  “That the University’s plan/modifications comply with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.”

 

• Add a finding that the Council must make in order to approve a Development Plan or Development Plan Modification:  “That the proposed development complies with all required regulations and standards of the Land Use Management Ordinance.”

 

• Include a section in OI-4 that would establish public Town reviews of projects to see if the developers are adhering to the standards of the Comprehensive Plan as a way of protecting adjacent and nearby neighborhoods.

 

On April 14, the Town Council indicated intention to consider these possible changes, and asked that a resolution be brought forward that would initiate this process.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution, which would call a Public Hearing on October 18, for the purpose of considering changes to the Office/Institutional zoning district provisions.

 

A RESOLUTION CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE LAND USE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TO ADJUST PROVISIONS OF THE OFFICE/INSTITUTIONAL-4 ZONING DISTRICT (2004-04-26/R-3)

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby calls a public hearing for October 18, 2004, to consider an amendment to the Land Use Management Ordinance to adjust provisions of the Office/Institutional-4 zoning district.  Proposed changes for consideration shall include:

 

• Allow more time for Council action on an application for a Development Plan or Modification of a Development Plan.  The current requirement is that the Council takes action on such an application within 90 days of the date of Town acceptance of a complete application.

 

• Require that a Concept Plan be presented for Council consideration prior to submittal of an application for a Development Plan or Modification of a Development Plan.

 

• Allow more time for Council action on applications that involve a Perimeter Transition Area.

 

• Specify that the Planning Board make a recommendation on such applications, rather than a requirement that the Board review applications; allow time for two Planning Board meetings to consider such applications, similar to what is specified now for Special Use Permit applications.

 

• Establish a system of quarterly meetings with University representatives to review the status of projects in construction, and offer a preview of projects that are planned.

 

• Add a finding that the Council must make in order to approve a Development Plan or Development Plan Modification:  “That the University’s plan/modifications comply with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.”

 

• Add a finding that the Council must make in order to approve a Development Plan or Development Plan Modification:  “That the proposed development complies with all required regulations and standards of the Land Use Management Ordinance.”

 

• Include a section in OI-4 that would establish public Town reviews of projects to see if the developers are adhering to the standards of the Comprehensive Plan as a way of protecting adjacent and near-by neighborhoods.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council refers this proposal to the Planning Board and Town Manager for recommendations.

 

This the 26^th day of April, 2004.