AGENDA #5a
MEMORANDUM
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Second Annual Status Report on Comprehensive Plan “Action Plan”
DATE: October 10, 2001
Tonight we bring a report to the Council describing the status of Implementation Actions related to the Comprehensive Plan (please see Attachment 1).
The Town Council adopted a new Comprehensive Plan on May 8, 2000. A key feature of the plan was an emphasis on implementation. An Action Plan was adopted, with priorities established for each recommended action (please see Attachment 2).
Our first annual report to the Council reviewing the status of actions was October 11, 2000. This is our second annual report.
DISCUSSION
The first category of priority in the Action Plan was called “Short Term Actions: 0-2 Years.” We have prepared a Status Report on all of the action items that are listed in this category, and include it here as Attachment 1. Implementation is underway on several fronts.
The Comprehensive Plan establishes target dates for accomplishing the Short Term Actions. The Short Term Actions were contemplated to conclude by December 31, 2001. The Status Report offers a description of what is happening or proposed to happen in the next several months with respect to many of the short-term action steps. Where no action has occurred to date, we propose a method of proceeding, so that projects could be addressed or underway by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2002.
We note that a number of action items involve revision to the Town’s Development Ordinance. That project is underway, with the next step being Council discussion of options for proceeding on October 10, 2001 (please see related agenda item).
Another key item is the continuing development of a fifteen-year Capital Improvements Program, including an assessment of the long-range community facilities needs of the Town. In the past year, we completed the Town’s first fifteen-year Capital Improvements Program.
Other upcoming milestones include:
· January 2002: Publication of the 2002 Data Book
· March 2002: Submittal of Growth Management Report.
· March 2002: Submittal of Capital Improvements Program.
· June 2002: Council adoption of a 2002-03 Budget and Capital Improvements Program, reflecting consideration of budget-related recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan.
· Fall 2002: Submittal of a Comprehensive Plan Implementation annual report (similar to tonight’s report on the status of recommended actions).
This report provides the status of implementation. We will continue to work on ongoing implementation measures, and propose new initiatives as opportunities arise.
We also anticipate submitting an update of this report to the Town Council annually in the fall of each year.
ATTACHMENT 1
TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
ACTION PLAN STATUS REPORT: OCTOBER 10, 2001
Second Annual Report
Short-Term Actions (0-2 years)
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ACTION |
STATUS |
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1. Community Character |
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Develop an implementation schedule and begin implementing the Downtown Small Area Plan |
· The Development Ordinance Consultant has been directed to include design standards for downtown, with procedural incentives for certain types of development. · Council considering on 10/10/01 a process to undertake a Design Workshop focusing on “opportunity sites” identified in the Plan, especially Lot #2 and Lot #5; work would include preparation of a visual model (please see related agenda item). |
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Revise Development Ordinance: · Front-yard parking
· Noise · Historic District regulations |
· Front-yard parking provisions included for historic districts. The draft revisions to the Development Ordinance include a Neighborhood Conservation District that could include front-yard parking provisions on a case-by-case basis. · Council adopted a new Noise Ordinance (part of Town Code) on September 24, 2001. · Language addressing actions to be pursued during a mandatory waiting period for demolitions will be included in the third draft of the proposed new Ordinance. · Design Guidelines for development in the Historic District are also being revised. |
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Implement a “percent for art” program |
Proposal from the Town Manager and Public Arts Commission is scheduled for Council consideration on October 22, 2001. |
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2. University Relations |
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Initiate joint employee housing project with the University of North Carolina |
Committee of Town and University representatives met with consultants, UniDev, L.L.C., to determine feasibility of the proposal. Work session on UniDev proposal held by Council on 4/30/01. Staff report prepared 7/2/01. Council held work session on 8/29/01, and asked for a process to proceed with Design Workshop. Council to consider proposal on 10/10/01 (please see related agenda item). |
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3. Regional Cooperation |
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Initiate discussions about a coordinated Transfer of Development Rights/Purchase of Development Rights/conservation easement strategy within Orange County |
Draft Development Ordinance under consideration includes a provision for using this technique in the future if desired. No interjurisdictional discussions held to date. |
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Adopt a Town strategy to address Shaping Orange County’s Future |
Advisory Board comments prepared on Provisional Report. Council public hearing held on 9/18/00. The Council transmitted comments on 10/11/00 to Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force. Assembly of Governments meeting held 4/19/01. Follow-up proceeding by Orange County. |
4. Economy and Employment |
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Revise Development Ordinance: · Non-residential design standards |
The draft Development Ordinance under consideration proposes Use Patterns that would specify design standards for desirable forms of residential and non-residential development. |
5. Housing |
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Develop an affordable housing incentive program |
The draft Development Ordinance contains a provision to provide a density bonus for affordable housing. |
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Revise Development Ordinance: · Affordable housing incentives · Rental licensing and inspection |
· Density bonus provision included. · The addition of provisions to the Town Code is under consideration (see item below). |
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Enact an affordable housing funding source |
· The Council to consider a proposal to implement this strategy as part of the 2002-03 Budget process. · Report on “First Option Fund” to be discussed by the Town Council in November 2001. · County bond for affordable housing up for referendum in November 2001. |
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Develop and adopt a rental licensing and inspection ordinance |
On June 12, 2000, Council established a committee to develop recommendations. Council made appointments on 9/11/00. The Committee made its report to Council on 3/26/01. Manager’s report on proposal and process for consideration by Council tentatively scheduled for November 12, 2001. |
6. Land Use and Development |
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Revise Development Ordinance: · Mixed-use development · Conservation development · Development review process |
· The current mixed-use districts would be merged and changed to offer greater flexibility with expanded design standards. · The draft Development Ordinance includes conservation subdivision provisions. · Proposed is Council assumption of some responsibility for review of Concept Plans. Also, procedural incentives are built into the Use Patterns to encourage development of those types. |
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Develop a growth management protocol |
The Council adopted a growth management protocol on October 11, 2000. Next step is anticipated to be a Growth Management Report to be presented in March 2002. |
7. Environment |
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Develop a long-term schedule and funding source to complete the greenway and open space system |
A Parks and Recreation Master Plan initiative is underway to analyze needs, propose recommendations, and suggest implementation measures (see related item below). A Greenways Master Plan has been completed. On September 25 2000, the Council authorized pursuing a plan to acquire open space using bond and potential grant funds. Action also incorporated into the 15 year Capital Improvements Program (see Community Facilities Plan below). |
8. Transportation |
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Revise Development Ordinance: · Sidewalk and bike lane construction · Traffic impact analysis guidelines |
· Draft Development Ordinance contains increased emphasis on pedestrian amenities. On 9/24/01, the Council adopted a new policy favoring wide outside lanes over bike lanes. · On June 11 2001, the Council adopted new traffic impact analysis guidelines and procedures required for development applications and changing the process for conducting traffic impact analyses, effective October 2001. Traffic Impact Analysis is specifically addressed in draft Development Ordinance. |
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Develop a plan and funding source for an expanded park-and-ride system |
Action incorporated into the development of a 15-year Capital Improvements Program (see Community Facilities Plan below) and Short-Range Transit Plan (see below). Work underway with the University of North Carolina through the Development Plan to expand the park-and-ride system to address impacts of anticipated development. |
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Develop a plan and funding source to improve local transit |
A Short-Range Transit Plan is under development in consultation with the Transportation Advisory Board. Review of a draft plan is underway by the Board, with presentation to the Council anticipated in early 2002. Fare-free service instituted effective January 2002. Chapel Hill unsuccessful in obtaining a new revenue source from the State legislature to date. Work underway with the University of North Carolina through the Development Plan to improve local transit to address impacts of anticipated development. |
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Adopt pedestrian/bicycle operating performance measures |
After completion of the Mobility Report Card (see below), data would be available that could be used to develop standards. |
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Develop a Pedestrian Improvement Action Plan |
Work on the annual sidewalk and bicycle plan is proceeding with the involvement of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and Transportation Advisory Board. Council adopted revised ranking system on 9/10/01. A public forum is scheduled for October 22, 2001 on the priority projects for this year. Preparation of an Action Plan is a potential activity of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.
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Develop a Bicycle Improvement Action Plan |
Preparation of an Action Plan is a potential activity of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. |
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Adopt roadway standards for on-street bike lanes and begin applying to resurfacing/reconstruction projects |
On September 24 2001, the Council adopted a bicycle policy on using wide outside lanes, and in certain circumstances, bicycle lanes. |
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Conduct community-wide mobility survey |
Council authorized a study of traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian activity, to begin Fall 2001, and be completed by January 2002. |
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9. Community Facilities |
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Develop a coordinated Community Facilities Plan |
As part of the Town’s capital improvement planning, emphasis is being placed on the development of a 15 year Capital Improvement Program. This is a multi-year project, with work underway to develop a long-range Community Facilities Plan covering the range of Town facilities and services. We are reviewing needs and status of planning efforts underway, such as the library plan, and the parks and recreation master plan; we also have costs for building maintenance. In succeeding years, we propose to develop general costs and a funding plan for incorporation into the Capital Improvements Program. |
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Complete a Parks and Open Space Master Plan |
A Parks and Recreation Master Plan process is underway, working with an advisory committee. Public meetings held. Presentation of a final draft report to the Council is scheduled for January 2002. |
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10. Fiscal Conditions |
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Revise the Town’s permit and fee schedule |
The Town Council substantially revised the permit and fee schedule as part of the adoption of the Town Budget on June 26, 2000. |