ATTACHMENT 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: Roger S. Waldon, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Inventory of Planning-Related Projects
DATE: April 10, 2000
On March 6, the Town Council asked for a list of planning-related projects that are currently underway. The Council was considering a draft Mixed Housing ordinance, and asked the Town Manager about the possibility of developing new alternative approaches to the affordable housing objective. We responded that work on current projects would preclude new attention to affordable housing issues until this fall. The Council asked for a list of ongoing projects so as to consider priorities.
MAJOR ONGOING PROJECTS
Much of the work of the Planning Department is ongoing and programmed, in the areas of Current Development, Long Range Planning, Transportation Planning, and Housing-Community Development. A review of work-in-progress starts with a list of major development applications currently under review. Following are descriptions of the major projects currently in our system.
Applications for Action by Town Council
Chapel Ridge SUP
Tau Epsilon Phi SUP
Europa Office SUP
Homestead Village SUP (concept plan)
UNC Cogeneration Facility SUP
Cedars at Meadowmont SUP
Manley Estates SUP
The Cottages Rezoning-SUP (concept plan)
Parkside II Subdivision
YMCA SUP-Modification
DKE SUP
Providence Glen Zoning and SUP
Meadowmont Hilltop SUP
Orange United Methodist Church SUP
Maple Ridge SUP-Modification
Applications for Review by Planning Bd.
(In addition to all above)
411 West Franklin SPR
Struzzo SPR
412/414 W. Rosemary SPR
Final Plans Currently Under Review
Meadowmont Infrastructure
Meadowmont Offices
Meadowmont Hilton
Meadowmont Village Center
VilCom
University Mall
Borders Books
Cottage Lane Apartments
Sterling Ridge Apartments
Southern Village - Village Core
Southern Village - Main/Market Offices
Southern Village - Compost Sites
Franklin Grove Townhomes
Westwood Terrace (aka Sanders/Shealy)
Sunset Drive Parking Lot
Assembly of God
Chapel Hill Center Phase 2
UNC Indoor Track
Booker Creek Greenway
1609 E. Franklin Office/Commercial Bldg.
Airport Drive Office Building
In addition, ongoing tasks include helping citizens, answering zoning and subdivision questions, review of Home Occupation requests, review of Certificate of Appropriateness requests, review of administrative Zoning Compliance Permit applications, minor subdivision and final plat applications, and review of exempt subdivisions.
Long Range Planning: Efforts are focused right now on the Comprehensive Plan, on the Capital Improvements Program, and on Annexation. The original target for adoption of the Comprehensive Plan was November, 1999. Additional work sessions and hearings were scheduled in January and February. A new public initiative has been scheduled for April, with the target for adoption on May 8.
Capital Improvements Program: A capital program has been developed and submitted to the Council for consideration, including our initiation of work on a 15-year CIP. Public Hearings and work sessions are upcoming for consideration of this proposed program. The next step is to develop this more fully into a 15-year Capital Improvements Program.
Annexation: We have prepared annexation reports for two areas, and are working to prepare for annexations that will become effective at midnight on June 30, 2000. The next steps in this process are Council action on April 10, followed by work with Departments to provide maps of new Town limits, notifying State and County offices, working with Departments to prepare information to give to new Town residents. We also need to schedule and hold a Public Hearing on June 19 to zone one of the areas.
Transportation Planning: Tasks include local and regional work. Locally, we provide support to the Chapel Hill Transit system with the annual conduct of a ridership survey, preparation of a Short Range Transit Plan, data gathering and management to comply with federal requirements, and route analysis. Ongoing staff support for regional transportation initiatives includes work on the 15-501 Major Investment Study (including examination of fixed guideway alternatives), 2025 Regional Transportation Plan, regional Transportation Improvements Program, I-40 Congestion Management Study, and Thoroughfare Plan issues.
Community Development Block Grant Program: Work involves collaborating with community groups on housing and neighborhood revitalization activities, along with working with Orange County and HUD staff to design, implement, and monitor programs. Administration of the Town’s Housing Loan Trust Fund has meant making 2nd mortgages to families, managing loans to community groups, and designing new affordable housing programs.
Staffing Advisory Boards: We also provide staff support to the following Town Advisory Boards:
Planning Board Historic District Commission
Board of Adjustment Community Design Commission
Transportation Board Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
SUMMARY LIST OF ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
In addition to regular, programmed work, there is a list of current projects that represent work outside of normal, routine, daily functions of the Planning Department:
Mayor’s Homestead Road Committee: The Council concurred in the Mayor’s appointing a committee to review a potential development site on Homestead Road. The committee is meeting to study the site and recommend a set of Town objectives for the Council’s consideration. The intent is to have a report to the Council on April 10.
Mayor’s 15-501 “Gateway” Committee: The Council concurred in the Mayor’s appointing a committee to review possibilities for development of the “Gateway” property, next to Blue Cross Blue Shield. The committee will prepare a set of recommendations for Council consideration.
Mayor’s Ram’s Plaza Committee: The owner of Ram’s Plaza has indicated intent to renovate the shopping center. A Mayor’s committee is meeting with the owner, similar to the model used for discussion of the University Mall proposal.
Shaping Orange County’s Future: This County-wide project is at Step 11 of a fifteen-step process. Primary staffing is provided by Orange County, supplemented by staff from Chapel Hill. A major presentation is planned for the Council for April 24.
Schools and Land Use Council: This group has been meeting to discuss linkages between school capacity and new development. A proposed Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance has been prepared for consideration by the governing boards.
Regional Travel Demand Management Initiative: At the Council’s request we have been participating in this regional initiative, being spearheaded by Durham City/County. At an April 3, 2000 Work Session, Council members discussed an idea to convene a group of Chapel Hill employers to consider these ideas, and also discussed asking the Triangle Transit Authority for a proposal to administer such a program in Chapel Hill.
Enhancement Projects: Funds can be requested through the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization for enhancements to transportation projects. We are working with other Town departments to develop applications for these funds. (Examples might be median landscaping, or work on the proposed Linear Park near Eastgate).
Visualization of Development Proposals: On March 27 the Town Council directed us to adjust our procedures to encourage/require better visual images of proposed development. We are revising our procedures and will begin emphasizing images during May and June Public Hearings.
Single-Family Overlay Zone: The Council has asked for a report on previous discussions and actions related to this proposal, which was brought forward by the Northside neighborhood. A report is to be presented to the Council on April 24.
Revise Development Ordinance: The Council has directed the staff to prepare a proposal for revision of the Town’s Development Ordinance. This would be one of the first implementation steps of the Comprehensive Plan. A report is due to the Council on April 24.
Land Trust: We are working with the Orange Community Housing Corporation and the new Land Trust to begin construction of the Scarlette Drive townhome project.
Joint Planning: We are working with Orange County and Carrboro staff on evaluation of a requested amendment to the Joint Planning Agreement by the American Stone Quarry and OWASA. Target dates are hearing on April 12, Planning Board April 18, and Council consideration on May 8.
Sidewalk and Bicycle Plan: An updated annual memorandum to the Council reporting on the status of Sidewalk and Bicycle projects, with recommendations for proposed funding, is being prepared for Council consideration before summer break.
Rental Licensing: The Council has created a new Work Group, to begin meeting in September, to study issues related to a Rental Licensing proposal.
Transportation Planning Consultant: The Council has asked for a proposal to be developed that would contract for transportation planning services, to address a specific set of Council objectives.
Independent Traffic Impact Statements: The Council has asked us to explore possibilities for arranging for independent analysis of projected traffic impacts for new development. (Report planned for September 11.)
Design Less Adversarial Development Review Process: The Council has asked for recommendations regarding how the development review process could be adjusted. (Report planned for November 27.)
Report on Monrovia Downtown: The Council has asked for a report on the downtown redevelopment program of the City of Monrovia. (Report planned for September 11.)
Revise Historic District Guidelines: The Council has authorized submittal of a grant application which, if funded, will allow work to begin on revising the Town’s Historic District Design Guidelines.
Begin Implementation of Downtown Small Area Plan: On March 27, the Council adopted a Downtown Small Area Plan. The next step is working on implementation of action recommendations.
State “Smart Growth” Initiative: The Council has asked that this project be monitored, to be able to identify possible impacts/implications for Chapel Hill. We are attending these meetings and reporting on discussions.
Census 2000: At the Council’s request, we are participating in a committee that has as its objective achieving as full and accurate a census count as possible.
Impervious Surface Requirements: The Council has asked for recommendations about how impervious surface might be minimized in new developments and redevelopment projects. At the Council’s request we are taking information to Advisory Boards, so that they can make recommendations to the Council.
Water-Sewer Boundary Agreement: Work on this project has been close to completion, but closure has not yet occurred. A proposal for amendment to a proposed boundary has been suggested by Hillsborough.
Jay Street / Nunn Street Subdivision: At the Council’s request we are monitoring the progress of this construction activity, and continue to meet with neighbors and the developer.
UNC Master Plan: The University has been working on a Campus Master Plan, with some staff participation on committees. The current task is an environmental assessment of the central campus and, to a more limited degree, the Horace Williams tract.
ICLEI: The Town Council has pledged to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The Town is to do an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions of municipal operations and the community as a whole, if grant funds are awarded.
Million Solar Roofs: The Council has authorized organizing a steering committee to develop an action plan to accelerate the use of solar energy locally, with assistance from a part-time staff person.
CONCLUSION
Council members have suggested that staff develop a new set of options for addressing affordable housing objectives, for the Council’s consideration prior to a summer break. We do not believe we can reasonably add another major work element this spring. We welcome the Council’s discussion of this set of tasks, along with direction regarding priorities and schedule. We note that, once the Comprehensive Plan is adopted, work on implementation will commence. Our consultant has observed that the proposed Action Plan in the implementation section of the Comprehensive Plan is aggressive and “front-end loaded.” Following adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, we intend to bring the Council a recommended work plan and schedule for implementation.