CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: Roger S. Waldon, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: 200 Finley Golf Course Road
DATE: January 19, 2005
INTRODUCTION
Attached is an application for Concept Plan Proposal from the University of North Carolina to construct an administrative office building at 200 Finley Golf Course Road has been submitted to the Town. The site is located on the west side of Finley Golf Course Road at the intersection of Prestwick Road (see map on back). The proposal includes demolishing an existing building, previously occupied by the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, and construction of a 16,215 square foot building with 43 parking spaces. The site is located in the Office/Institutional-2 (OI-2) zoning district and is identified as a portion of Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 66, Lot 10.
BACKGROUND
March 4, 1991 Town Council approved a Special Use Permit to construct a 7,558 square foot fraternity.
December 30, 2002 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill purchases property.
March 22, 2004 Town issues letter to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill acknowledging that the use authorized by the March 4, 1991 Special Use Permit has ceased for a continuous period of twelve months and therefore the Special Use Permit has automatically expired.
December 6, 2004 Town received a request from the University of North Carolina for Town Council to review a Concept Plan Proposal for 200 Finley Golf Course Road.
December 15, 2004 Community Design Commission reviews Concept Plan Proposal for 200 Finley Golf Course Road. Proposal includes demolition of an existing building, previously occupied by the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, and construction of a 16,215 square foot building with 43 parking spaces. Proposed Concept Plan does not meet intensity thresholds requiring Council review of the Concept Plan
January 10, 2005 Responding to a request for Concept Plan review received on December 6, 2004, Town Council adopts a resolution directing the Town Manager to schedule Town Council review of the Concept Plan Proposal, for 200 Finley Golf Course Road, for the January 19, 2005 Public Hearing Agenda.
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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, Town Council, as noted above. In this particular case the Concept Plan proposal for 200 Finley Golf Course Road does not meet any of the minimum thresholds trigging Council review, however, as requested by the applicant, the Council has agreed to review the proposal.
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 design and construction of site elements should include:
· Appropriate descriptions and explanations of the 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 December 15, 2004. A summary of comments from that meeting is attached for the Council’s use (Attachment 3).
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
The proposal includes the construction of an administrative office building at 200 Finley Golf Course Road. The proposal also includes demolishing an existing building, previously occupied by the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, and construction of a 16,215 square foot building with 43 parking spaces.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Institutional. The site is located in the Office/Institutional-2 (OI-2) zoning district. The property is located in Town limits and within the Town Urban Service Area. The property is located in Orange County and is identified as part of Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 66, Lot 10.
A Concept Plan for this site was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on December 15, 2004. The Concept Plan before the Council tonight is the same plan reviewed by the Community Design Commission.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
ATTACHMENTS
A RESOLUTION TRANSMITTING COUNCIL COMMENTS ON A CONCEPT PLAN FOR 200 FINLEY GOLF COURSE ROAD (2005-01-19/R-2)
WHEREAS, a Concept Plan has been submitted for review by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, for 200 Finley Golf Course Road; 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 January 19, 2005, and reflected in minutes of that meeting.
This the 19th day of January, 2005.
