ACTION

STATUS

1.  Community Character

Develop an implementation schedule and begin implementing the Downtown Small Area Plan

·        On February 16 and March 23, 2002 the Town hosted a Downtown Chapel Hill Design Workshop focusing on “opportunity sites” identified in the Plan, especially Lot #2 and Lot #5. On May 16, 2002 Council adopted a report on the Design Workshop.

·        The work included preparation of computer modeling illustrating design concepts from the Workshop. A computerized base model of existing conditions also was produced; it is useful to architects and others for illustrating downtown development proposals.

·        A Council Committee is meeting to discuss next steps for Lots 2 and 5.

·        An incentive provision has been included in the Third Draft of the proposed Land Use Management Ordinance to encourage residential development in Town Center zones.  That provision is included in Section 3.8.7.

Revise Development Ordinance:

·        Front-yard parking

·        Noise

·        Historic District regulations

·        The Third Draft proposes to extend front-yard parking provisions Town-wide.

·        Council adopted a new Noise Ordinance (part of Town Code) on September 24, 2001.

·        Revised Historic District Design Guidelines for the Chapel Hill Historic Districts adopted by Council in June 2002.

Implement a “percent for art” program

On March 4, 2002 Council adopted “Percent for Art” program.

2.  University Relations

Initiate joint employee housing project with the University of North Carolina

In 2000 and 2001 a committee of Town and University representatives met with consultants, UniDev, L.L.C., to determine feasibility of the proposal.  In 2001 three work sessions on UniDev proposal held by Council. In October 2001 Council authorized a process to proceed with Design Workshop, held in February and March 2002.

3.  Regional Cooperation

Initiate discussions about a coordinated Transfer of Development Rights/Purchase of Development Rights/conservation easement strategy within Orange County

Draft Land Use Management Ordinance under consideration includes a provision for using this technique in the future if desired.  No interjurisdictional discussions held to date.

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. On April 29, 2002 Assembly of Governments agreed the final report is complete.

4.  Economy and Employment

Revise Development Ordinance:

·        Non-residential design standards

The Draft Land Use Management Ordinance proposed Use Patterns that would specify design standards for desirable forms of residential and non-residential development. The Council voted to defer action on this section; the section was removed from the draft document but its place reserved.

5.  Housing

Develop an affordable housing incentive program

The Draft Land Use Management Ordinance contains a provision allowing an affordable housing component to be substituted for floor area restrictions in developments of a certain size.

Revise Development Ordinance:

·        Affordable housing incentives

·        Rental licensing and inspection

Rental licensing program has been adopted; will be in effect as of Jan. 1, 2003 (see item below).

Enact an affordable housing funding source

·        The Revolving Acquisition Fund, formerly called First Option Fund, adopted by Council in January 2002.  Goal is to preserve owner occupied housing for affordable housing purposes.  $150,000 from the Housing Loan Trust Fund was used to establish the fund.

·        County bond for affordable housing approved by voters in November 2001. The County's Affordable Housing Advisory Board is in the process of developing criteria for use of bond funds to recommend to the County Commissioners. 

Develop and adopt a rental licensing and inspection ordinance

In April 2002 Council established guidelines for implementing rental licensing program. Inspections has hired a zoning enforcement officer and is preparing materials for the program.  Ordinance will go into effect January 1, 2003. 

6.  Land Use and Development

Revise Development Ordinance:

·        Mixed-use development

·        Conservation development

·        Development review process

·        A new mixed use zoning district (Mixed Use-Village) included as Sec. 3.5.1 in the Third Draft). Draft retains the two existing Mixed-Use Districts so that any development previously approved under a mixed use district will not be affected.

·        In Third Draft, Concept Plan Review by the Community Design Commission remains basically unchanged.  Above certain thresholds, plans would then subsequently be reviewed by the Town Council.

Develop a growth management protocol

The Council adopted a growth management protocol on October 11, 2000.  The first annual Growth Management Report was presented to Council on June 24, 2002. The report evaluated and interpreted data on the demands and capacities of arterial roads, schools, and water and sewer facilities.

7.  Environment

Develop a long-term schedule and funding source to complete the greenway and open space system

A Greenways Master Plan was completed in 1998.  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

Revise Development Ordinance:

·        Sidewalk and bike lane construction

·        Traffic impact analysis guidelines

·        Draft Land Use Management Ordinance contains increased emphasis on pedestrian amenities.  On 9/24/01, the Council adopted a new policy favoring wide outside lanes over bike lanes under certain conditions.

·        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.

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 as part of Short-Range Transit Plan to expand the park-and-ride system to address impacts of anticipated development. The new Jones Ferry Road park and ride lot is about to open; the University has developed park and ride lots at the Friday Center and off Airport Road.

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 2003.

·        Fare-free service instituted effective January 2002.                   

·        Town unsuccessful in obtaining a new revenue source from the State legislature to date. Chapel Hill is working with regional transportation groups to secure new revenue sources.

·        Work underway with the University of North Carolina through the Development Plan to improve local transit to address impacts of anticipated development.

Adopt pedestrian/bicycle operating performance measures

The new Mobility Report Card (see below) includes data that could be used to develop standards.

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 21, 2002  on the priority projects for this year. 

·        Preparation of Action Plan is potential activity of Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. 

Develop a Bicycle Improvement Action Plan

Preparation of an Action Plan is a potential activity of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. 

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.

Conduct community-wide mobility survey

Council authorized a study of traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian activity. Study began fall 2001; the completed Mobility Report Card was presented to Council on June 10, 2002.

9.  Community Facilities

Develop a coordinated Community Facilities Plan

As part of the Town’s capital improvement planning process, we review needs and status of planning efforts underway, such as the library plan, and the parks and recreation master plan; we also have costs for existing and projected building maintenance needs.  

Complete a Parks and Open Space Master Plan

On May 29, 2002, the Council adopted the 2002 Parks and Recreation Master Plan as part of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan with some revisions. The Council authorized the Manager to prepare a final revised document by September 2002. These revisions were made and submitted to Council on September 23, 2002. The Plan is now available for distribution to the public and for review on the Town’s website.

10.  Fiscal Conditions

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 and adopts a schedule annually in the Town Budget.