AGENDA #6.1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Rezoning Application
DATE: June 11, 2001
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has submitted an application requesting a rezoning for the main campus. The University is also requesting a waiver of fee associated with this application (please see attached letter from Chancellor Moeser). Adoption of the attached Resolution would authorize waiver of the application fee for the University rezoning application.
The Council has been discussing the University’s requests for adjustment to regulations regarding the main campus. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for June 18 to consider two related items:
· An amendment to the Development Ordinance, to create a new zoning district (OI-4); and
· A proposal to rezone UNC’s main campus to this new district.
On April 23 the Town Council endorsed a schedule that called for consideration of these two proposals on June 18. We subsequently received a request from the University with a map outlining the areas requested for rezoning.
After reviewing the map we concluded that, as a Town-initiated rezoning proposal, each of nine identified sub-areas would need to be considered as an individual rezoning action. Subsequent to that determination, the University decided to formally apply for the requested rezoning as one application. A copy of a letter from Chancellor James C. Moeser is attached. We believe that this application should appropriately be considered as one rezoning proposal, as requested by the University.
In the letter the University asks that the Council waive the application fee for this proposal.
Regarding the procedural issue associated with considering this entire area as one rezoning application: We believe that it would be appropriate for the application to be presented as one area for the Council’s consideration at the Public Hearing. We will describe the different components of this area in our report to the Council for June 18. At the time the Council is considering action on the request, we note that the Council may choose to approve rezoning as requested for the entire area, for a portion of the area, or may choose to deny the request.
Regarding the request for waiver of application fee: Development applications within the Town's zoning jurisdiction are subject to fees associated with the type of application or permit requested (schedule attached). The Development Review Fees schedule indicates that certain permits associated with community development programs as well as Town of Chapel Hill development applications are exempt from the fees. The Zoning Atlas Amendment application fee for this application from the University would total $18,920.
We believe that there are public purposes associated with Town consideration of this rezoning request. We note the extensive and ongoing public discussions about these proposals, and the joint Town-University work to prepare a proposed new zoning district that could be considered for application to the main campus. We believe that it would be reasonable to waive the application fee in this case.
We recommend that the Council adopt the attached Resolution waiving development review fees for the University Rezoning application.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter from Chancellor Moeser (p. 4).
2. Map (p. 5).
3. Fee Schedule (p. 6).
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW FEES LIST TO WAIVE THE FEES FOR A UNIVERSITY REZONING APPLICATION (2001-06-11/R-12.1)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill has received a request from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to waive the fees associated with the University Office/Institutional-4 rezoning application; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council has determined that there are public purposes associated with the Town’s review of this request;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manager is hereby authorized to waive the development review fees associated with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill rezoning application.
This the 11th day of June, 2001.