AGENDA# 5b
TO: Mayor and Town Council
SUBJECT: Quarterly Status Report on Council Goals and Objectives
DATE: May 7, 2001
b. Fosters sustainable development
c. Provides greater regulatory flexibility for the Council
d. Focuses more attention on the impacts and effects of development proposals
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 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.
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).
May 7, 2001 Status: At the January 8 Council meeting, the Council received a proposed Scope of Services and Timeline from Development Ordinance consultant Mark White of Freilich, Leitner, and Carlisle. Fundamental to the revision of the Development Ordinance will be:
· Reference to the policies and strategies articulated in the Town’s new Comprehensive Plan.
· Revision of the development review process so that the Council will review a Concept Plan as the first step in every major development application.
· Upgrading of existing development standards, such that current standards on tree protection, environmental protection, and mitigation of stormwater and traffic impacts will be expanded and made more stringent and specific.
The first step in the consultant’s work was a work session held on January 22. Mark White presented the Council with a description of the steps involved in developing a first draft. On April 18, Mr. White held a work session with the Council to present an ordinance outline and a possible fall 2001 draft ordinance.
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 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.
May 7, 2001 Status: Advisory boards have reviewed the proposal, and a report to the Council is scheduled on May 21.
March 27, 2000 Action Plan: The Manager will report to the Council in the second quarter of 2000-2001 on options for improving the process.
September 25, 2000 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 Council authorized the Manager to negotiate a scope of services for continuing work on the Development Ordinance. A key idea now being considered by the Council is revision of the development review process, to increase input by the Council during the early stages of project review. We continue to believe that the best way to make the process less adversarial is to incorporate procedural changes into the new Development Ordinance. Explicit attention to this issue would be included in any continuing work.
May 7, 2001 Status: The Town Council has discussed this idea with the consultant who is working on the Development Ordinance. The first draft of the new Development Ordinance will be considered by the Council at a Public Hearing on June 20.
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 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.
May 7, 2001 Status: At the January 19, 2001 Planning Session, the Council extended UniDev’s contract to include three additional items of work: 1) quantifying the demand for office space downtown, 2) providing in-depth work on whether there was a market for employer/employee housing and, 3) an analysis of how the Town could proceed on its own if the University chooses not to participate. The Council held a work session with UniDev on April 30 to receive a follow-up report that recommends proceeding with housing, office, retail, and parking development, contingent on University participation.
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 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 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 be approved by the Council. The Council directed the Manager to negotiate lease of such space with the Downtown Commission for consideration by the Council.
May 7, 2001 Status: The Council Committee made a presentation to the County Commissioners on March 20 and requested that the Commission consider continued and expanded use of the Old Post Office property.
The Manager has completed informal discussions with the Courts, the Postal Service, and the Downtown Commission regarding development of the Welcome Center. The next step is negotiation of a new lease with the Postal Service. This work may be delayed by the Town-University discussions project.
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 Status: On schedule.
January 19, 2001 Status: The January 8, 2001 agenda includes a report on downtown Monrovia. The Council expressed further interest in how Monrovia financed its plan to bring businesses into town, and how the town had financed the purchase of land without using tax dollars.
May 7, 2001 Status: We plan to provide further information on Monrovia’s financing of its downtown vitalization efforts before the Council’s summer recess.
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 Status: OnJune 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 Town has also actively been acquiring land along Dry Creek, and on December 11, the Council 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.
May 7, 2001 Status: Orange County has agreed to assist with the acquisition of land along Morgan Creek, as we continue to seek property owners who are interested in selling. One owner has indicated he may be willing to sell a key tract on Morgan Creek, and if agreement can be reached, we will pursue and apply for a Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant. We have continued negotiations for land north of I-40 using the Clean Water Management Trust Fund grant. Duke Power has indicated willingness to deed the Town a key tract along Morgan Creek just west of the Merritt Pasture in exchange for some fencing and/or landscape buffers. We are also still working to acquire a grant to buy land on Dickerson Court, next to Bolin Creek.
March 27, 2000 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, 2000 Status: On schedule.
January 19, 2001 Status: Today’s agenda includes a report on the Manager’s Office structure and how the Manager’s Office is using technology to better implement the Council’s goals. 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 on budget implications of the Technology Committee’s recommendations.
May 7, 2001 Status: The March 28 preliminary report on the budget included provisions for implementing the first phase of the Town Technology Plan, with costs of $135,000.
On April 9, the Council received a follow-up report from the Citizens’ Technology Committee. The report recommended additional items for consideration in the 2001-2002 budget, including: (1) creating a separate information services department; (2) further upgrading the Town’s web site; and (3) accelerating expanded use of the Geographic Information System (GIS). The Technology Committee recommendations are presented as an option in the Manager’s Proposed Budget.
May 7, 2001 Status: On April 23, the Council received a Memorandum of Understanding and ordinance amending Chapel Hill’s Development Ordinance that would, if accompanied by similar actions by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the Orange County Board of Commissioners, create an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for schools in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools District. The Council deferred action and directed the staff to propose alternate language for consideration. A follow-up report is presented for the Council’s consideration as a separate item on tonight’s agenda.
May 7, 2001 Status: The Town Council has directed the Development Ordinance consultant to work on an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance for streets and roads. The consultant has indicated that this will be included in the draft Development Ordinance that is to be considered by the Town Council on June 18.
May 7, 2001 Status: A section of the Chapel Hill Data Book, published on January 30, 2001, includes 30 indicators to monitor progress on the Comprehensive Plan. This section will become a standard component of future Data Books, and the indicators will be updated each year. At the Council Planning Session on January 19, Council Members Brown and Ward agreed to work on this issue as well.
May 7, 2001 Status: Efforts at improving pedestrian safety will involve all divisions of the Police Department. We will return to the Council prior to the summer recess with a report on enforcement efforts.
May 7, 2001 Status: We have begun preliminary discussions with a consultant who has experience in this area and will work to develop a proposal for the Council’s consideration prior to the summer recess.
May 7, 2001 Status: Work has begun on two phases of this goal:
(a) A study of the available technology, and;
(b) A study of the potential impact on traffic signals and the feasibility of such a project.
We will return to the Council in September with a follow-up report on these issues.
May 7, 2001 Status: The Town of Cary has provided us with information on its Fiber Optic Overlay Project. The project involves construction a fiber optic network at the curb along all of Cary’s 450 street miles. The network would contain numerous fibers that could be leased on a long-term basis to companies providing entertainment (cable television), data/internet, and telephony services. The goal is to have multiple service providers to bring competition to these services and trigger lower rates and higher level of services to citizens. On January 11, the Cary Town Council directed staff to proceed with negotiations with Piedmont Communications Service, Inc., for a cable franchise agreement and broadband fiber network. We will continue to monitor developments on Cary’s fiber optic overlay project.
In Chapel Hill, Town staff is participating in discussions with other Orange County agencies to explore the possibility of developing a community-wide network structure. The general objectives of the process are to take advantage of coordinated efforts in deploying networks, gain economies of scale, and improve accessibility and performance of our network infrastructure.
The University has been involved in the community-wide network discussions. The University has tentatively pledged its expertise in high performance networking to enable sharing economies of scale and other mutual benefits in the acquisition and operation of such infrastructure.
May 7, 2001 Status: Work on this issue has been deferred because of the commitment of resources to the Town-University discussions project. We will begin research this summer through an intern and will report progress at the end of the next quarter.
May 7, 2001 Status: The Town Council has directed the Development Ordinance consultant to work on this issue. The consultant has indicated that this will be included in the draft Development Ordinance that is to be considered by the Town Council on June 18.
May 7, 2001 Status: Staff from Public Works and Parks and Recreation have met with representatives of GGA Architects to discuss the upcoming renovations. The tentative timeline includes:
· April-June 2001: Project Design
· July-August 2001: Advertisement for bids and bid award
· September 2001-April 2002: Construction
· May 2002: Reopen the facility.
May 7, 2001 Status: We will return to the Council before the summer recess with a report on the use of security monitors and auxiliary personnel.
May 7, 2001 Status: We understand that the Council will appoint a committee to address this goal.
May 7, 2001 Status: On March 26, the Council adopted a resolution directing the Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee to include a dog park, one acre or larger in size, in its final recommended concept plan. The Council also directed the Manager to begin work on a dog park of approximately 20,000 square feet at Homestead Park, using $14,000 in existing 1996 Parks bonds allocated for the Homestead Park project. Staking of the park has been accomplished, with completion expected later this spring. In addition, we should soon be able to recommend a more specific location for a dog park at the Meadowmont School-Park site.