AGENDA #8

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:      Neighborhood Conservation Districts:  Additional Options for Consideration

DATE:            May 9, 2005

At the request of the Council, we place the agenda item from the April 25, 2005 Council meeting concerning options for responding to requests to initiate neighborhood conservation districts on tonight’s agenda for additional public comment.  In addition, we offer additional thoughts stimulated by the Council’s discussion and public comment on April 25.

BACKGROUND

On April 25, the Council received a report on options for responding to requests to initiate neighborhood conservation districts (please see accompanying memorandum).  Due to the lateness of the hour this item was discussed, the Council agreed to place the item early on the May 9 agenda and to take additional public comment.

Public comment and Council discussion that night suggested that a way be found to accomplish the preparation of multiple neighborhood conservation districts simultaneously and to streamline the process.  In addition, concern was expressed about a proposal to use a consultant as part of the solution to accomplish the work.  A representative of one additional neighborhood, Morgan Creek, stated that the neighborhood is deciding whether to apply for the designation.

On April 25, the Council also voted to initiate a process of developing a neighborhood conservation district for the Pine Knolls neighborhood, thereby starting the process by Council action.

DISCUSSION

On April 25, our report indicated that we proposed to report to the Council no later than June 15 on further refinement of cost estimates and options for consideration in the 2005-2006 Town Budget.  Taking into account the requests to undertake projects simultaneously and to streamline the process, we propose to explore the following additional thoughts for June 15:

• Do not assume all neighborhood processes will be like the process followed for Northside.

• Consider a standardized “checklist” approach where staff would develop a template of materials for a neighborhood to develop a proposal working with staff or a consultant. 

• Look again at the template process proposed in the April 25 memorandum to see if additional ways can be found to streamline the process of consideration.

• Consult with staff at the City of Raleigh concerning their suggestions based on their experience with developing numerous neighborhood conservation districts.

• Consider the feasibility and legality of an idea of doing a Land Use Ordinance Text Amendment in the fall of 2005 regulating “tear downs” of homes in neighborhoods throughout Chapel Hill.

• Consider adding a Planning staff position devoted exclusively to neighborhood conservation.

RECOMMENDATION

We propose to develop a follow-up report for Council’s June 15, 2005 meeting on options and cost estimates for pursuing additional neighborhood conservations districts simultaneously with a streamlined process.

ATTACHMENT

1. Manager’s Memorandum to Council of April 25, 2005, Options for Responding to Requests to Initiate Neighborhood Conservation Districts (begin new page 1).