Agenda #6
memorandum
to: Mayor and Town Council
from: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
subject: Public Hearing Concept Plan: University of North Carolina Hospitals Clinical Facility
date: October 19, 2005
Tonight the Council considers a Concept Plan for the University of North Carolina Hospitals Clinical Facility. The proposed site is located on the corner of NC 54 East and Finley Golf Course Road.
The 2.29-acre site, located at 1352 Raleigh Road, currently consists of a 10,281 square foot single story building, (presently home to Aurora Restaurant and McLean Building Company) and 102 parking spaces. This proposal involves demolishing the existing building and constructing a two-story, 30,000 square foot building with 117 parking spaces. In accordance with the Land Use Management Ordinance, there has been no staff review of this Concept Plan.
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from the Community Design Commission and citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
The attached memorandum for the Concept Plan proposal includes background information on the Concept Plan process, the applicant’s materials, and additional related information.
CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: J. B. Culpepper, Acting Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: University of North Carolina Hospitals Clinical Facility
DATE: October 19, 2005
INTRODUCTION
Attached is a proposal for Concept Plan review. The applicant’s proposal includes demolishing an existing building and constructing a two-story, 30,000 square-foot building with 117 parking spaces. The 2.29-acre site, located at 1352 Raleigh Road, currently consists of a 10,281 square-foot single story building, (presently home to Aurora Restaurant and McLean Building Company) and 102 parking spaces. The site is adjacent to the University Village Motor Inn and is in the Community Commercial (CC-2) zoning district.
Tonight the Council is reviewing this proposal along with a Concept Plan proposal to redevelop the adjacent University Village Motor Inn property.
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, Town Council, as noted above.
BACKGROUND
September 28, 2005 Community Design Commission reviewed the University of North Carolina Hospitals Clinical Facility Concept Plan proposal. The conceptual plan for the 2.9-acre site included the demolition of an existing building and the construction of a 30,000 square-foot structure with 117 parking spaces. A copy of the Commission’s comments with be distributed as soon as they are available
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).
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan application proposal includes demolishing an existing building and constructing a two-story, 30,000 square-foot building with 117 parking spaces. The 2.29-acre site, located at 1352 Raleigh Road, currently consists of a 10,281 square-foot single-story building, (presently home to Aurora Restaurant and McLean Building Company) and 102 parking spaces. The site is adjacent to the University Village Motor Inn.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Commercial. The site is located in the Community Commercial (CC) zoning district. The property is located within the Town limits and within the Town Urban Service Area. The property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 65, Block C, Lot 5.
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 THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITALS CLINICAL FACILITY (2005-10-19/R-2)
WHEREAS, a Concept Plan has been submitted for review by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, for the University of North Carolina Hospitals Clinical Facility; and
WHEREAS, the Council has heard presentations from 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 October 19, 2005, and reflected in minutes of that meeting.
This the 19th day of October, 2005.