PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND   On January 27, 2003, the Council enacted a Land Use Management Ordinance requiring that the Council conduct a Concept Plan Review for proposed development meeting specific land or floor area thresholds.  Applications (other than in Town Center) meeting any of the minimum thresholds as shown below require Town Council review in addition to the Community Design Commission review:               Characteristic                                       Threshold Triggering Council Review               Land Area                                                        5 acres             Floor Area                                                       100,000 square feet             # of Dwelling Units                                           50 dwelling units   The Council has the opportunity tonight to hear this applicant’s presentation, receive a set of comments from the Community Design Commission, hear public comment, 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 a resolution (attached) transmitting comments to the applicant.   An excerpt from the Land Use Management Ordinance with a description of the process for Concept Plans is attached.

 

The Concept Plan review process does not involve staff evaluation of the proposal.  Review of the Concept Plan submitted is conducted by the Community Design Commission and, in some instances, the Town Council, as noted above.

ELEMENTS OF REVIEW

A Concept Plan is a preliminary step toward preparation of a formal development plan and application.  The Land Use Management Ordinance states that a design and construction of site elements should include:

·            Appropriate descriptions and explanations of relationships and balances among site elements;

·            The relationship of the development to natural features, neighboring developments, and undeveloped land;

·            Access and circulation systems;

·            Retention of natural vegetation, minimal alteration of natural topography, mitigation of erosion and sedimentation, mitigation of stormwater drainage and flooding;

·            Arrangement and orientation of buildings and amenities in relation to each other and to neighboring developments and streets;

·            Landscaping, preservation or enhancements of vistas; and

·            Mitigation of traffic impacts.

The Town Council and Community Design Commission, in examining development applications, 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.  A work sheet for review of Concept Plans is attached for the Council’s use with this memorandum (Attachment 2).

This Concept Plan was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on June 16, 2004.  A summary of comments from that meeting will be provided as soon as they are available.

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

This Concept Plan application describes proposed construction of approximately 68,000 square feet of floor area including a visitor’s education center, classrooms, herbarium/library, and storage building on a 35-acre site located on the south side of Fordham Boulevard between Old Mason Farm Road and Coker Drive.  The applicant also has proposed closing a portion of Laurel Hill Road between Fordham Boulevard and Coker Drive.  A total of fifty-two new parking spaces are proposed.

The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Parks/Open Space.  The site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) zoning district.  The property is located within the Town limits, the Town Urban Services Area, and the Watershed Protection District.  The property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 73 and part of lot 1. 

A Concept Plan for this site was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on June 16, 2004.  A summary of comments from that meeting will be provided as soon as they are available.

The Concept Plan before the Council tonight is the same plan reviewed by the Community Design Commission.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Excerpt from Land Use Management Ordinance of Concept Plan procedures (p. 5).
2. Worksheet for Concept Plan Review (p. 8).
3. Concept Plan application materials (p. 10).
4. Area Map (p. 15).
5. Reduced Plans (p. 16).

A RESOLUTON TRANSMITTING COUNCIL COMMENTS ON A CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA BOTANICAL GARDEN (2004-06-30/R-22)

WHEREAS, a Concept Plan has been submitted for review by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, for the North Carolina Botanical Garden; and

WHEREAS, the Council has heard presentations for the applicant, and citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Council has discussed the proposal, with Council members offering reactions and suggestions;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council transmits comments to the applicant regarding this proposal, as expressed by Council members during discussions on June 30, 2004, and reflected in minutes of that meeting.

This the 30^th day of June, 2004.