AGENDA #4j

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Response to Request for Comments on Shaping Orange County’s Future Recommendations

 

DATE:             February 25, 2002

 

 

This memorandum offers a set of comments to transmit to Orange County, as requested, on a set of recommendations contained in the Shaping Orange County’s Future report.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In June 1994, a 15-step approach was outlined for the Shaping Orange County’s Future project.  The process started with the formation of a Task Force and was intended to end with the Task Force submitting a Final Report to each jurisdiction in Orange County. The project began getting fully underway during 1996. 

 

The project was led by a Task Force made up of citizens of Orange County.  There also was a Steering Committee, made up of elected officials from Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County, that met periodically to offer advice to the Task Force.  Staffing for this project has been provided by Orange County.  Chapel Hill and Carrboro each, for several years during the late 1990’s, made annual contributions to Orange County to help pay for the staff support of this project.

 

A report from the Task Force called “Provisional Report and Recommendations” was adopted by the Task Force on April 5, 2000, and sent to local governments with a request for comments.  The Chapel Hill Town Council held a public hearing on this report on September 18, 2000, and on October 11, 2000, transmitted a set of comments to Orange County.  October 2000 was the last time this project was before the Town Council.  The document has not been revised since April 2000, and none of the comments transmitted in October by the Chapel Hill Town Council have been incorporated.  A copy of the April 5, 2000 report is attached, along with copies of memoranda we wrote to the Council in April, September, and October 2000.  We also attach a copy of the comments that the Council transmitted to the County in October 2000.

 

On January 17, 2002, Orange County Manager John Link sent us another request for comments on the final recommendations of the report.  In his letter (attached), Mr. Link asks that the materials he sent be shared with elected officials.  Mr. Link states in his letter that the source document for the recommendations is the “May, 2000 Provisional Report and Recommendations from the Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force.”  This was the same document that was reviewed by the Town Council in September and October 2000.  No changes have been made to the report.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Because there have been no changes to the source document since the May 2000 version that the Town Council considered in October 2000, we have no additional comments to offer on the document.  A copy of comments we prepared in September, 2000, and which the Council transmitted to the County in October 2000 is attached. 

 

Regarding the request by Mr. Link for comments on current activities that would be related to implementation of those May 2000 recommendations, we have prepared a response and attach it here.  The response lists key ongoing Chapel Hill activities that relate to the recommendations.  We suggest that the Council forward this set of comments.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the Council adopt the attached resolution, authorizing the Town Manager to transmit the attached set of “Comments on Recommendations from the Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force Report,” dated February 24, 2002.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

  1.  “Comments on Recommendations,” dated February 24, 2002 (p. 4).
  2. October 11, 2000, Memorandum to Town Council (p. 11).
  3. September 18, 2000 “Implications Report” prepared by Chapel Hill Staff (p. 14).
  4. September 18, 2000 Memorandum to Town Council (p. 20).
  5. April 24, 2000 Memorandum to Town Council (p. 22).
  6. Transmittal Letter from Orange County Manager John Link, January 17, 2002 (p. 24).
  7. “Attachment A, Comments from Orange County Departments,” 12/19/01 (p. 26).
  8. “Attachment C, Summary Table of Action Strategies” from Orange County (p. 64).
  9. April 5, 2000 “Provisional Report and Recommendations” (p. 78).

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO TRANSMIT COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE APRIL, 2000 PROVISIONAL REPORT OF THE SHAPING ORANGE COUNTY’S FUTURE PROJECT (2002-02-25/R-11)

 

WHEREAS, the Orange County Manager has requested comments on activities related to implementation of recommendations contained in the April 2000 “Provisional Report and Recommendations” from the Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force; and

 

WHEREAS, the Orange County Manager has requested that materials about the Task Force Report be shared with the Chapel Hill Town Council; and

 

WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council has received these materials, along with a report from the Chapel Hill Town Manager, dated February 25, 2002, describing key ongoing activities in Chapel Hill that are related to the recommendations of the Task Force;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to transmit the February 25, 2002 “Comments on Recommendations” to Orange County on behalf of the Town Council.

 

This the 25th day of February, 2002.

 

 

 


Comments on Recommendations from

Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force Report

 

Submitted to Chapel Hill Town Council

February 25, 2002

 

 

 

The Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force has prepared a set of Action Strategies for Orange County, organized into two categories:

 

·        Sustainability and Community Building; and

·        Critical Areas to Maintain or Improve Quality of Life

 

A copy of the Action Strategies is attached.  Immediately following is a description of key activities ongoing in Chapel Hill that are related to the goals and strategies articulated by the Shaping Orange County’s Future Task Force.  Emphasis is placed on strategies where the Task Force has indicated that actions by the Chapel Hill Community may enhance implementation.

 

 

Sustainability and Community-Building

 

Goal 1:  Put Community-Building First

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Extensive array of citizen advisory committees and task forces to promote participation in governance and community affairs.

 

·        Operation of multi-use recreation and school facilities with a wide array of organizations using these facilities.

 

·        Development regulations and design guidelines that promote community interaction by requiring common areas with an emphasis on access and mobility.

 

·        Sponsorship of community events such as Apple Chill, FestiFall, and Fiesta Del Pueblo that are attended by citizens from all areas of Orange County.

 

·        Established communication and cooperation mechanisms with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

·        Ongoing operation of Chapel Hill Public Library as a community centerpiece with resources, displays, meeting spaces.

 

·        Continuing efforts to provide information and services to non-English speaking residents.

 

·        Regular, rotating, and ongoing art exhibits at Chapel Hill Town Hall displaying the works of local artists, with community events to view works.

 

·        Establishment of “Public Arts Council” to promote placement of art in public places.

 

·        Establishment of “1% for Art” protocol into ongoing Capital Improvements Program.

 

·        Ongoing emphasis on preserving historic properties; active Historic District Commission with accompanying regulations for historic districts.

 

·        Establishment of and support for Chapel Hill Museum on Franklin Street.

 

·        Operation of robust parks and recreation programs with extensive facilities, user policies that are open to all Orange County residents, and wide participation by diverse populations.

 

Goal 2:  Address Citizen Concerns about Representation in Government

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Representation of residents in Extraterritorial Jurisdiction areas on all Chapel Hill advisory boards dealing with development and growth management. 

 

·        Wide representation of non-Chapel Hill Orange County residents on an array of Town advisory boards and task forces.

 

Goal 3:  Create and Maintain a Centralized Information Base for Decision-Making

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Annual publication of a Data Book, including trend analysis and monitoring of community indicators.

 

·        Operation of a Town website where information is posted and archived.

 

Goal 4:  Improve Government Efficiency and Effectiveness

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Ongoing communication between Chapel Hill Town Council and Legislative Delegation regarding local authority to institute programs such as impact taxes.

 

·        Consideration of Inclusionary Zoning as an element in new draft Development Ordinance;  first community in Orange County to do so.

 

·        Most recent draft of Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance documents  reviewed by Chapel Hill Town Council, February 18, 2002;  first elected body in Orange County to do so.

 

·        Full participation in drafting and execution Water-Sewer Boundary Agreement, drawn in accordance with Urban Growth Boundaries.

 

·        Extensive communication and cooperation with Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board in planning for school sites.  School facility planning built into Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Plan.

 

·        Extensive communication with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill regarding fiscal equity issues;  cost sharing arrangements in place for key services such as transit and fire protection.

 

·        Regular and extensive contact between Chapel Hill Town Staff and staff of other Orange County governments in all substantive areas.

 

·        Chapel Hill Development Ordinance currently under review, a component of which involves study of development review processes.

 

Goal 5:  Adopt Policies to Move the Community Toward Sustainability

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Community indicators established, monitored, and reported each year in publication of an annual Chapel Hill Data Book.

 

·        Energy efficient design required in all new municipal buildings.  Energy efficient design specifically promoted in new private development.

 

·        Introduction of Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles into Chapel Hill’s fleet of municipal vehicles.

 

·        Active recycling programs in operation throughout Chapel Hill.

 

·        Chapel Hill is a participating member, along with Carrboro, in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.

 

·        Ongoing implementation of aggressive development regulations reflecting principles of sustainability.

 

 

 

 

 

Critical Areas to Maintain or Improve Quality of Life

 

Environment and Land Use

 

Goal 1:  Promote Land Use Patterns that Meet Our Citizens’ Needs While

    Protecting Natural Resources

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Establishment of and strict adherence to an Urban Growth Boundary.

 

·        Active and vigorous participation in Joint Planning with Carrboro and Orange County.

 

·        Mixed use development actively encouraged.

 

·        Aggressive environmental protection provisions built into Chapel Hill Development Ordinance.

 

Goal 2:  Conserve Natural Areas, Farmland and Other Important Open Space

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Active work with Triangle Land Conservancy, NC Botanical Garden, coupled with Town purchase of land to preserve key tracts of open space.

 

·        Open space and recreation requirements in development regulations serve to preserve land as part of development process.

 

·        Bond initiatives conceived and implemented in Chapel Hill to acquire open space.

 

·        Emphasis placed in all new landscaping, both public and private, to avoid invasive exotic plants.

 

Goal 3:  Create Environmentally Sustainable Transportation Systems that Meet

    People’s Needs

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Operation of North Carolina’s most successful public transit system.

 

·        Implementation of fare-free transit service, January 1, 2002.

 

·        Continuing efforts to secure federal and State support for local transit operations.

 

·        Partner with other Triangle communities in supporting Triangle Transit Authority.

 

·        Vigorous pursuit of bringing regional transit options to Orange County.

 

·        Development regulations that emphasize bicycle and pedestrian systems.

 

·        Development and operation of park and ride lots.

 

·        Coordination with Orange County’s largest employer, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to provide transit service to all key destinations and along all key corridors.

 

·        Construction of sidewalks, corridors for bicyclists.

 

·        Encourage/require employers to implement travel demand management programs to promote non-automobile travel.

 

·        Extensive citizen participation mechanisms for transportation planning.

 

Goal 4:  Pollution Prevention and Waste Reduction

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Strict adherence to Urban Growth Boundary, drawn to keep urban development out of critical watersheds.

 

·        Aggressive measures to minimize increase in impervious surfaces in Chapel Hill.

 

·        Participation in Million Solar Roofs program.

 

·        Aggressive measures to manage stormwater:  upgrading development regulations, working with the University to manage stormwater as new development occurs on campus, requiring stormwater management basins and ponds, encouraging/requiring bio-retention systems, requiring detailed analysis of stormwater impacts, funding areawide stormwater management facilities, pursuing discussions of creating a Stormwater Utility.

 

·        Increased tree-planting in parking lots under consideration in new draft Development Ordinance.

 

·        Emphasis on recycling facilities in new development.

 

·        Requiring solid waste management plans as part of development applications, building materials recycling plans as part of demolition projects.

 

Goal 5:  Protect Our Water Supply

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Land Use regulations and ordinances in place to protect water supply watersheds.

 

·        First public building in Orange County with cistern for water capture in place and operational at Smith Middle School.  Rainwater used for irrigation.  Possible model for other public and private buildings.

 

 

Human Services

Goal 1:  Ensure Availability of Affordable, Quality Child Care

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Extensive use of in-home day care, permitted as a home occupation.

 

·        Financial support for after-school programs.

 

Goal 2:  Promote Public Safety

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Ongoing and extensive public safety work on a daily basis by Chapel Hill Police Department and Chapel Hill Fire Department.

 

·        Active partnerships in place with public safety agencies throughout Orange County, the Triangle, and the State.

 

·        Initiation of Community Policing in key neighborhoods.

 

·        Cooperation between public safety and school officials to promote safe school environments.

 

·        Cooperation between public safety officials and merchants, businesses.

 

Goal 3:  Support Seniors Quality of Life

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Cooperation with and support of Chapel Hill Senior Center.

 

·        Extensive programming for older adults through Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department.

 

Goal 4:  Promote Health and Mental Health

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Extensive array of facilities and programs to promote physical activity and health operated by Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department.

 

 

Education

Goal 1:  Provide Quality K-12 Education

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Extensive partnership with Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools - - sharing and co-locating facilities, operating programs, public safety, and transportation.

 

·        Children’s programs operated at Chapel Hill Public Library.

 

Goal 2:  Support Lifelong Learning and Adult Education

 

Activities ongoing in Chapel Hill:

 

·        Facilities and programs in support of lifelong learning and adult education are sponsored through the Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department.

 

·        Ongoing activities and programs operated by Chapel Hill Senior Center.

 

·        Ongoing operation of the Chapel Hill Public Library, which provides services to all residents of Orange County, for all ages – Kindergarten through Seniors.