AGENDA# 10
TO: Mayor and Town Council
SUBJECT: Quarterly Status Report on Council Goals and Objectives
DATE: January 19, 2001
Development Regulations:
· Promotes creation of housing in a range of prices through a system of incentives and requirements
· Fosters sustainable development
· Provides greater regulatory flexibility for the Council
· Focuses more attention on the impacts and effects of development proposals
March 27 Action Plan: The Council agreed in discussion to allocate funds to pay for the cost of a consultant to re-write the development ordinance.
September 25 Status: On May 8, the Council adopted a new Comprehensive Plan, which included a plan for revising the Development Ordinance. On May 22, the Council adopted an ordinance allocating $100,000 to hire a consultant to work on a new draft Development Ordinance.
On July 5, the Council selected the firm of Lane Kendig to prepare a revised Development Ordinance. The Council also directed the Manager to negotiate a specific scope of work and contract for the Council’s consideration in August. The schedule called for: (1) a September 2000 start date for beginning work on the revision; (2) an April 2001 first draft and initial public hearing; (3) a June 2001 second public hearing; and, (4) a July 2001 Final Ordinance presentation for Council consideration.
January 19, 2001 Status: On December 11, 2000, the Council adopted a resolution to conclude Lane Kendig’s consulting work on the Development Ordinance. On January 8, 2001, the Council directed the Manager to execute a contract with Freilich, Leitner, and Carlisle to continue the consulting work, reflecting a Council-approved scope of services and timeline. The consultants will visit Chapel Hill four times between January and September: Once for a preliminary meeting with the Town Council (on January 22); once for a review of a detailed, annotated outline (in April); and twice for Public Hearings (in June and September).
March 27 Action Plan: The Manager will report to the Council in the first quarter of 2000-2001 on options for obtaining traffic impact analyses with development applications.
September 25 Status: The Town’s traffic engineer resigned last spring, and a new traffic engineer reported to work in late August. Because of the vacancy in the traffic engineer position, the report to the Council will be delayed until the second quarter of 2000-2001.
January 19, 2001 Status: On January 8, 2001, the Manager provided information and alternatives for revising the guidelines and procedures for preparing traffic impact analyses required for development applications. The Council referred the draft guidelines to the Transportation Board, the Planning Board, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Board, and local engineering firms for review and comment. The Council also requested the Manager to determine the cost of having a review conducted by Traffic Engineering consultant Ray Moe.
March 27 Action Plan: The Manager will report to the Council in the second quarter of 2000-2001 on options for improving the process.
September 25 Status: On schedule.
January 19, 2001 Status: During the consultant’s visits with the Council in September and October 2000, the consultant suggested that the special use permit process is by nature inherently adversarial. The special use permit process, with its requirements for quasi-judicial proceedings, forces adversarial positions and limits the Council’s ability to interact with interested parties.
On December 11, 2000, the Town Manager submitted a report to the Council as requested. A key point of the report was a suggestion that, as part of the Development Ordinance revision, the process be adjusted to give the Council more opportunities to offer guidance early on in the review of development applications. This idea will be incorporated into the revision, as directed by the Council.
Downtown Initiatives:
March 27 Action Plan: The Council is scheduled to consider adoption of the Downtown Small Area Plan at the March 27 meeting.
September 25 Status: The Council adopted the Downtown Small Area Plan as a component of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan on March 27, 2000.
January 19, 2001 Status: The Downtown Small Area Plan is now a component of the Comprehensive Plan.
March 27 Action Plan: The Manager will negotiate a contract with UniDev, the consultant selected by the Council, and will submit the contract for Council consideration at its meeting on April 10, 2000. The Manager also will obtain a letter of commitment that will pledge the financial participation of the University and UNC Hospitals in supporting the study, as previously agreed informally, and present such letter to the Council at the same meeting.
September 25 Status: On April 10, the Council authorized the Manager to execute an agreement with UniDev to conduct an Employer-Employee Housing Study. Both the University and UNC Hospitals have agreed to contribute $33,000 each to help pay the cost, with the remaining $32,000 paid by the Town.
On July 11, the consultants presented Council Members with a Feasibility Analysis for the Rosemary Street Development Project, including a summary of survey results conducted with Town and University employees.
January 19, 2001 Status: On November 13, 2000, the Council authorized the Manager to execute an agreement with UniDev for the provision of additional consulting services in connection with strategic planning for the development of employer-employee housing and associated retail and parking facilities, the development of office space, and the feasibility of the Town proceeding in a development without participation of the University or UNC Health Care System. The agreement has been executed and the consultant has begun work.
March 27 Action Plan: The Council has appointed a special Committee on the Old Post Office to develop proposals for the preservation, enhancement, and future use of the building. The Committee has begun work and will report to the Council as progress is made.
September 25 Status: The Committee has reviewed the site and has met with the Chief District Court Judge and postal officials. The Manager is conducting further research as directed by the Committee, and the Committee will report to the Council at a future meeting.
January 19, 2001 Status: The Committee reported its conclusions to the Council on December 11. The Council approved a resolution regarding the preservation and future use of the post office, including stipulations to: maintain a U.S. Postal Service office in the building through the negotiation of a long-term lease; continue use of the building by the District Court of the State of North Carolina; and consult with the Orange County Board of Commissioners and appropriate Court officials to develop a long-term plan for Court facilities. In the resolution, the Council also affirmed its intent to continue providing space to the Franklin Street Teen Center unless the space is needed for a more compelling community need. The Manager’s Office will work with the Orange County Manager’s Office to arrange a work session with the Council on the use of the building. The Council also directed the Manager to negotiate necessary arrangements with the Court, the Postal Service, and the Downtown Commission to allow installation of a Welcome Center in an area now used by the Postal Service as an employee break room, with final design details and other terms subject to approval by the Council. The Council directed the Manager to negotiate lease of such space with the Downtown Commission for consideration by the Council.
March 27 Action Plan: The Manager will report to the Council in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999-2000 on Downtown Streetscape reconstruction options, including consideration of how to increase the pace of reconstruction.
September 25 Status: During budget deliberations, the Council received information regarding the rate of progress for Streetscape improvements. One consideration was the cost of upgrading street and pedestrian lighting in the downtown area and the rate of lighting replacements. A second consideration was the choice of using Town versus contract labor. Staff reports stated that contracting out planning and construction could expedite the process, but remove some Town control over the monitoring of the work and potentially result in a higher cost per linear foot of completed project.
On May 22, the Council allocated $60,000 in available Streetscape bond funding to pay for the cost of improvements within the public right of way on the south side of the 500-block of West Franklin Street at the Orange County Skills Development Center. The work will be performed by a private contractor under the County’s direction. Staff will assess whether this approach provides acceptable work on a timely basis, as well as the relative cost of the use of private contractor versus Town labor.
January 19, 2001 Status: On December 11, the Council authorized the Manager to develop detailed drawings for Streetscape improvements to the east side of North Columbia Street, between Franklin and Rosemary streets and the north side of East Franklin Street, from McAlister’s Deli to Henderson Street. Construction is scheduled for completion by May 2001. The Council also authorized the Manager to begin installing custom street and pedestrian lighting for a section of the 100-block of East Franklin Street
March 27 Action Plan: The Manager will provide a report on the City of Monrovia downtown redevelopment program in the first quarter of fiscal 2000-2001.
September 25 Status: On schedule.
January 19, 2001 Status: The January 8, 2001 agenda included a report on downtown Monrovia.
Capital Improvements Program:
March 27 Action Plan: The Council received a report from the Manager on February 28, 2000 that outlined a preliminary approach to development of a 15-year Capital Improvement Program that would identify all Town capital needs and result in a funding schedule determined by the Council. The Council agreed to further discuss the report at the April 5, 2000 budget work session.
September 25 Status: The Council discussed the report at the April 5, 2000 budget work session and directed the Manager to proceed with development of a 15-year Capital Improvements Program. On June 26, the Council adopted the 2000-2005 Capital Improvements Program, which included projects with financing extending 10 years, effectively beginning the Town’s preparation of a 15-year program. Additional work will be done during the fiscal year and reported to the Council during the budget development process in the third and fourth quarters.
January 19, 2001 Status: The Town staff has begun work on the fiscal 2001-2002 budget and capital program, with emphasis on continued development of a 15-year capital improvements program.
March 27 Action Plan: The Council will receive a presentation by County Commissioner Margaret Brown and a report from the Manager about the County’s proposed recreation and parks master plan at the Council’s March 27, 2000 meeting. The Manager’s report on the proposed recreation and parks master plan will offer resolutions for the Council’s consideration.
September 25 Status: On April 10, the Council adopted the Joint Master Recreation and Parks Plan Work Group Report as a general planning document, including provisions for inter-jurisdictional work on joint siting, design, and management of school and park sites across jurisdictions. The Council also adopted a statement supporting an Open Facilities Policy, which provided that all public recreation facilities constructed by the member local governments of the County be open for use by all County and Town citizens.
At the September 25, 2000 meeting, the Council is scheduled to review Parks and Recreation Commission and staff recommendations regarding the County’s request to participate in a new Intergovernmental Parks Work Group. The Work Group would begin meeting this fall to collaborate on parks planning and development issues.
In addition, the Manager will participate with other Orange County managers in developing a report on ways that the County and municipalities might coordinate capital funding for future parks.
January 19, 2001 Status: On August 28, the Council directed the Manager to meet with his counterparts in the County and other municipalities for the purpose of developing a report for the October 30 Assembly of Governments meeting. At the October 30 Assembly of Governments meeting, the Council received a report on potential joint capital funding for parks. The report addressed ways that the County and municipalities might coordinate capital funding for future parks, the distribution of land purchases and facilities commensurate to contributions, and the level of County funding to the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department operating budget compared to the County’s use of Town programs and facilities.
The Intergovernmental Parks Work Group held its first meeting on December 7 and discussed such issues as a Soccer Symposium Task Force Report, a proposed Aquatics Facility, and plans for a November 2001 parks bond. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 1.
March 27 Action Plan: The Council has adopted a schedule of general priorities for purchase of open space using bond funds. The Manager will prepare a proposal for the Council’s consideration in the fourth quarter of 1999-2000 that would further clarify the Council’s priorities for open space acquisition and propose engagement of a real estate professional to assist the Town in carrying out an acquisition program.
September 25 Status: On June 12, the Council authorized the Manager to: (1) prepare a map of undeveloped parcels and of publicly-owned land to help the Council provide its guidance on primary areas of interest for acquisition; (2) request the services of Orange County’s staff land acquisitions specialist; and, (3) if such services are not available, present a proposal to the Council to engage the services of a real estate professional. Staff is working to prepare a map of undeveloped parcels and of publicly-owned land to help the Council provide its guidance on primary areas of interest. The map and an accompanying report with recommendations will be presented to the Council in the first quarter of this year.
January 19, 2001 Status: In recent months, the Council has undertaken various initiatives regarding open space. On December 11, the Council approved the acquisition of 9.2 acres adjacent to Little Creek as a Stormwater Management Conservation Area. The acquisition meets the Council’s goals of promoting non-automobile connectivity and/or preserving entranceway corridors, scenic vistas, environmentally sensitive areas, Resource Conservation District land, community open space, and neighborhood open space. The sale was completed on January 12, using Housing and Urban Development Disaster Recovery Grant Funds of $112,000.
On September 25, the Council also authorized pursuing the possible purchase of up to four lots on Dickerson Court, which include five units of housing along Bolin Creek that flood when the creek rises. As of January 9, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff made a preliminary conclusion that the purchase would be eligible for 75% federal funding, but final approval must still be received from the FEMA regional office.
To complement land acquired from developers along Dry Creek, the Council on December 11 authorized the purchase of 34.572 acres of property west of Erwin Road and South of I-40, also with the goal of open space preservation. The sale was closed before the end of the year using 1996 Open Space Bond funds.
On September 25, the Council also accepted the gift from Ernest and Hazel Craige of 8.48 acres of property located at the intersection of Mount Carmel Church and Bennett Roads. The land is adjacent to the fire station property and to other parcels identified along Wilson Creek that the Council expressed an interest in acquiring.
Also on September 25, the Council authorized the Manager to identify and analyze lots zoned residential that were platted before 1982 and may be so non-conforming as to be potential threats to orderly development of the surrounding neighborhoods. The staff has identified 43 such lots, and a contract planner has analyzed each of them. Fifteen of the lots identified as potential threats will be evaluated by an appraiser over the next several weeks, and we will return with a report to the Council with recommendations for potential acquisitions.
Town Staffing and Organization Structure:
March 27 Action Plan: The Council-appointed Technology Committee has been working for more than a year to conduct a review of Town operations. We expect that the Committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Council in the early fall of 2000. We believe that the Committee’s report will be a good beginning point for further discussion of the Council’s goal and development of a follow-up work plan by the Manager.
September 25 Status: On schedule.
January 19, 2001 Status: Today’s agenda includes a report on the Manager’s Office structure. On October 23, 2000, the Technology Committee presented a proposed Technology Plan for the Town of Chapel Hill. The Committee, which met 12 times over the year, worked with the Town staff in determining the current system capabilities and future needs.
The plan included recommendations to:
· upgrade network infrastructure;
· transform the Town web site to a one-stop access point for citizen and inter-governmental transactions;
· expand and restructure the Information Technology Group (ITG), making it a separate department that reports to the Town Manager.
We expect to return to the Council in February with a report that responds to the Committee’s recommendations, suggests how to proceed with implementation, and identifies budget considerations.