CONCEPT PLAN PROPOSAL
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: J.B. Culpepper, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Concept Plan: Orange United Methodist Church
DATE: November 14, 2005
INTRODUCTION
Attached is a proposal for Concept Plan review. This proposal involves the construction of 38,089 square feet of additional floor area on the Orange United Methodist Church campus located at 1220 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The development proposal includes six new buildings and 122 new parking spaces. The 13.68-acre site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) and Residential-3 (R-3) zoning districts and the Resource Conservation District. The property is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 24, Lot 36 and Map 24E, Block A, Lot 10.
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 acre | |
| 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 for 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
On September 28, 2005, the Community Design Commission reviewed a revised Concept Plan Proposal for the Orange United Methodist Church. This same proposal is before the Council tonight.
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 considering 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).
A Concept Plan for this site was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on September 28, 2005. A copy of comments from the September 28, 2005 meeting will be forwarded to the Council when available.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan Proposal includes construction of 38,089 square feet of additional floor area and 122 new parking spaces. The proposed construction includes six new buildings on the 13.68-acre site. The proposed new floor area includes a place of worship, education spaces, a youth facility, a gym, and administrative floor area. The proposed development site is located at 1220 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Institutional Use. The site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) and Residential-3 (R-3) zoning districts. The property is located within the Town limits and the Town Urban Service Area. The property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 24, Lot 36 and Map 24E, Block A, Lot 10.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant.
ATTACHMENTS
