AGENDA #4h

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Duplex Discussions for Public Hearing

 

DATE:             September 27, 2004

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The purpose of this report is to forward recommendations from the Community Design Commission on the subject of duplex regulations.  The Community Design Commission recommends that the Town Council amend the Land Use Management Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan Design Guidelines as they relate to the regulations and appearance of duplex structures.  The recommendation from the Community Design Commission is attached to this memorandum (Attachment #4).

 

Adoption of the attached resolution would schedule a Public Hearing to consider these proposed changes.

 

BACKGROUND

 

• May 2002:  Council receives a petition from the Northside Community about the damaging effects of duplex development in that neighborhood.

 

• October 2002:  Ordinance amendment temporarily prohibiting new duplex development in the R-2A, R-2 and R-3 zoning districts.

 

• January, 2003:  Land Use Management Ordinance enacted; prohibition on new duplex development extended to February 29, 2004.

 

• February 23, 2004:  Ordinance amendment to permit duplex development in the R-2 and R-3 zoning districts, with new restrictions on size and process for approval, and new design guidelines for duplexes.  New duplex development prohibited in Northside.

 

• March 1, 2004:  Council request for additional discussion about duplex regulations.

 

• May 24, 2004: Council received a Discussion Paper (Attachment #2) prepared by the Planning Department on the subject of Duplex Dwelling Units.  Since the item required considerable discussion, the Council agreed to defer discussion on this topic to June 30^th.

 

• June 2, 2004:    Community Design Commission held a duplex workshop involving Commission members, citizens and Town staff.  Summary minutes of the workshop are attached (Attachment #3) to this memorandum.

 

• June 30, 2004:  In order to allow the Community Design Commission time to forward a recommendation to the Council, the item was deferred to September 27, 2004.

 

• August 18, 2004:  At its August meeting, the Community Design Commission recommended (Attachment #4) that the Town Council modify the Land Use Management Ordinance and Design Guidelines for Duplex Dwelling Units.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Community Design Commission Recommendation: On August 18, 2004, the Community Design Commission voted 10-0 to recommend that the Council amend the Land Use Management Ordinance and the Design Guidelines for duplex dwellings.  Please see summary of Commission Design Commission recommendations attached to this report (Attachment #4).

 

Manager’s Recommendation:  We recommend that the Council schedule a Public Hearing for March 21, 2005, to consider changes to the Land Use Management Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan Design Guidelines relating to the regulation and construction of duplex structures.  Adoption of the attached Resolution would do so.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1. May 24, 2004 Memorandum, Duplex Discussion Paper (p. 4).
2. June 2, 2004 Minutes: Community Design Commission Duplex Workshop (p. 9).
3. August 18, 2004 Recommendations from the Community Design Commission (p. 10).

 

 

A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO THE LAND USE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGN GUIDELINES RELATING TO THE REGULATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF DUPLEX STRUCTURES (2004-09-27/R-10)

 

WHEREAS, the Town Council has requested and received a Discussion Report Paper for Council consideration, offering comments and recommendations on issues related to regulation of duplex dwelling units;  and

 

WHEREAS, the Community Design Commission has considered and submitted recommended changes to the Land Use Management Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan Design Guidelines on issues related to the regulation of duplex dwelling units;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council refers this item to the Town Manager for his analysis and recommendations and calls for a Public Hearing for March 21, 2005.

 

This the 27^th day of September, 2004.