AGENDA# 4q

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Potential Open Space Acquisition on Mt. Carmel Church Road

 

DATE:             January 10, 2000

 

 

The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to use Town funds to appraise 8.48 acres of property located at the intersection of Mount Carmel Church Road and Bennett Road.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In November 1996, Chapel Hill voters approved $3,000,000 in general obligation bonds for purchase of open space.

 

In November 1997 the Council approved the following revised open space bond sale schedule:

 

·                    $   265,000 in FYs 1997-98 and 1998-99

·                    $1,650,000 in FYs 1999-00 and 2000-01

·                    $1,085,000 in FYs 2001-02 and 2002-03

 

In January 1998, the Council purchased approximately 6 acres of open space adjacent to Cleland Road, Roberson Drive and Oakwood Drive for $265,000.

 

In May 1998, the Council purchased 9.7 acres of property for $191,500, for a future fire station and open space. Approximately 6.7 acres of the site can be assigned to our open space inventory. We estimate that $127,500 of the purchase price will be charged to the year 2000 Open Space bond sale.  When the site plan for the station is approved, this figure will be finalized.

 

On May 26, 1998, the Council authorized the Manager to use Open Space bond funds to purchase properties needed for the Lower Booker Creek Trail project. All easements and properties were acquired using approximately $5,000 in bond funds.

 

On May 24, 1999, the Council adopted the Greenways Commission’s recommendations as a basis for examining use of remaining open space funds. The Commission’s recommendations centered on purchasing properties for specific greenway and open space projects.

 

On November 22, the Council authorized the staff to appraise a number of properties located adjacent to the Tanyard Branch Greenway. A full report is anticipated for Council consideration on January 24, 2000.

 

DISCUSSION

 

In December 1999, Mrs. Hazel Craige, owner of an 8.48 acre tract of property located on Mount Carmel Church Road offered to sell the property to the Town. The property is completely wooded and located primarily on a prominent ridge top overlooking both Mount Carmel Church Road and U.S. 15-501.  The property is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Bennett Road and Mt. Carmel Church Road. Please see the attached map.

 

This property could be used for several purposes including:

 

Neighborhood Open Space: The only significant open space tract south of Morgan Creek and east of U.S. 15-501 currently owned by the Town is the approximately 6.7 acre portion of the southern fire station site that will be left undisturbed. If purchased, this tract could expand that open space to 15.18 acres. 

 

Entranceway/Drive Corridor Preservation: This property could be used to preserve a portion of the Mount Carmel Church Road entranceway. Although the Town’s Master Landscape Plan/Entranceway Corridors report (adopted in 1988) does not identify Mt. Carmel Church Road as an entranceway and scenic corridor we believe that the road is growing in importance as a major entranceway into Town.

 

Future Greenway Connection: The property could be used a future greenway connection to the proposed Wilson Creek Trail.

 

Scenic Vistas and Ridge Preservation: Most Town open space areas preserve stream areas. This would be an opportunity to preserve a portion of ridge top.

 

If the Council chose to purchase this property, 1996 Open Space Bond funds could be used once the property is annexed.  The first step in consideration of this offer would be to order an appraisal, for approximately $2000.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolution authorizing the Manager to order an appraisal of the Craige property.

 

ATTACHMENT

 

1.         Map (p. 4)

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO USE TOWN FUNDS FOR AN APPRAISAL OF THE CRAIGE PROPERTY (2000-01-10/R-16)

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manager is authorized to order an appraisal of the 8.48-acre Hazel Craige property (Chapel Hill Tax Map 126, Block B, Lots 9 and 11).

 

This the 10th day of January, 2000.