ATTACHMENT 2
0 - 2 YEARS
TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
REVIEW OF ACTION PLAN STATUS: DECEMBER 31, 2002
Short-Term Actions (0-2 years)
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1. Community Character |
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1.1 Develop an implementation schedule and begin implementing the Downtown Small Area Plan (Strategy 3C-1, pp. 20-21) |
Actions to Date: · 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. A report to Council is scheduled in early 2003. · An incentive provision has been included in the Fourth Draft of the proposed Land Use Management Ordinance to encourage residential development in Town Center zones (Section 3.8.7).
What’s Left to Do: See attached chart assessing progress on implementation steps from the Downtown Small Area Plan.
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1.2 Revise Development Ordinance:
(Strategy 3A-5 relating to addressing the effects on neighborhoods of the conversion of owner-occupied residences to rental properties, pp. 16-18; Strategy 3B-1 relating to Historic Districts, pp. 19-20) |
Actions to Date: · The Fourth 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.
What’s Left to Do: Adopt Land Use Management Ordinance. |
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1.3 Implement a “percent for art” program (Strategy 3D-1, pp. 21-22) |
Actions to Date: On March 4, 2002 Council adopted “Percent for Art” program. |
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2. University Relations |
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2.1 Initiate joint employee housing project with the University of North Carolina (Strategy 4B-2, p. 31) |
Actions to Date: 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 Workshops, focusing on the Town’s development of Lot 2 and Lot 5. Council Committee is preparing recommendations for consideration.
What’s Left to Do: See Downtown Small Area Plan objective listed above. |
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3. Regional Cooperation |
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3.1 Initiate discussions about a coordinated Transfer of Development Rights/Purchase of Development Rights/conservation easement strategy within Orange County (Strategy 5B-1, pp. 39-42)
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Actions to Date: Draft Land Use Management Ordinance under consideration includes a placeholder for using this technique in the future if desired (Section 3.9.2).
What’s Left to Do: Initiate interjurisdictional discussions with Orange County. Revise Land Use Management Ordinance to reflect discussions, if approach is mutually agreed upon. |
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3.2 Adopt a Town strategy to address Shaping Orange County’s Future (Strategy 5A-2, pp. 38-39) |
Actions to Date: On April 29, 2002 Assembly of Governments agreed the final report is complete. |
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4. Economy and Employment |
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4.1 Revise Development Ordinance:
These strategies suggest that non-residential development design guidelines be addressed in the comprehensive development ordinance revision. Design guidelines would ensure that such development complements Chapel Hill’s built and natural environment, and promotes transit, pedestrian, and bicycle usage. |
Actions to Date: 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 a place reserved for Traditional Neighborhood Development (Section 3.5.3) and Transit-Oriented Development (Section 3.5.4).
What’s Left to Do: Adopt Land Use Management Ordinance. In the future, develop non-residential development design guidelines for including in the Design Manual or as a separate document. |
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5. Housing |
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5.1 Develop an affordable housing incentive program (Strategy 7A-2, pp. 53-56) |
Actions to Date: 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.
What's Left to Do: Consider other incentives as listed in Strategy 7A-2 of Comprehensive Plan: *Impact fee rebate program *Expedited review *Reductions in setback, frontage, yard standards *Relaxation of street and sidewalk requirements *Reductions in parking requirements *Flexible techniques *Availability of financing
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5.2 Revise Development Ordinance:
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Actions to Date:
What’s Left to Do: Adopt Land Use Management Ordinance. |
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5.3 Enact an affordable housing funding source (Strategy 7A-1, pp. 51-53) |
Actions to Date: · 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 has developed criteria for use of bond funds to recommend to the County Commissioners.
What’s Left to Do: Consider additional funding sources, such as property taxes, General Obligation bonds, tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds (multi-family housing) or Mortgage Revenue Bonds (homeownership). |
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5.4 Develop and adopt a rental licensing and inspection ordinance (Strategy 7C-1, pp. 58-59) |
Actions to Date: In April 2002 Council established guidelines for implementing rental licensing program. Inspections has hired a code enforcement officer and the program is being carried out. Ordinance went into effect January 1, 2003. |
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6. Land Use and Development |
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6.1 Revise Development Ordinance:
The Comprehensive Plan defines “conservation development” as “an innovative form of residential development that reduces lot sizes so as to set aside a substantial amount of the property as permanently protected open space. Differs from Cluster Development in several ways, particularly in its higher standards for the quantity, quality and configuration of the resulting open space.” |
Actions to Date: · A new mixed use zoning district (Mixed Use-Village) included as Sec. 3.5.1 in the Fourth Draft. Draft retains the two existing Mixed-Use Districts so that any development previously approved under a mixed use district will not be affected. · The Fourth Draft contains strengthened environmental performance standards. · In Fourth 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.
What’s Left to Do: Address conservation development principles for subdivisions. |
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6.2 Develop a growth management protocol (Strategy 8B-1, pp. 71-72) |
Actions to Date: 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. |
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7. Environment |
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7.1 Develop a long-term schedule and funding source to complete the greenway and open space system (Strategy 9B-1, pp. 81-82) |
Actions to Date: · 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). · A Parks and Recreation Master Plan was completed in 2002.
What’s Left to Do: Develop additional funding sources to carry out the long-term master plans for greenways and parks and recreation. |
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8. Transportation |
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8.1 Revise Development Ordinance:
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Actions to Date: · Draft Land Use Management Ordinance contains increased emphasis on pedestrian amenities. · On 9/24/01, the Council adopted a new policy setting standards for when wide outside lanes or striped bike lanes will be used. · 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.
What’s Left to Do: Adopt Land Use Management Ordinance. |
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8.2 Develop a plan and funding source for an expanded park-and-ride system (Strategy 10C-3, pp. 103-104) |
Actions to Date: · 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 has opened; the University has opened park and ride lots at the Friday Center and off Airport Road.
What’s Left to Do: Complete Short-Range Transit Plan. Pursue funding sources for expanded park/ride system. |
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8.3 Develop a plan and funding source to improve local transit (Strategy 10C-1, pp. 101-103) |
Actions to Date: · Renovated fixed-route system with addition of service on several routes that were at capacity. · Restructured Saturday service with the addition of one route. · A Short-Range Transit Plan is under development in consultation with the Transportation Advisory Board. Board Review of draft plan underway, with presentation to Council anticipated early 2003. · Fare-free service instituted as of Jan. 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. · Work underway with the University of North Carolina through the Development Plan to improve local transit to address impacts of anticipated development.
What’s Left to Do: Complete Short-Range Transit Plan. |
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8.4 Adopt pedestrian/bicycle operating performance measures (Strategy 10A-1, pp. 94-96) |
Actions to Date: The new Mobility Report Card (see below) includes data that could be used to develop standards.
What’s Left to Do: Develop and adopt procedures for evaluating the operating performance of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. |
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8.5 Develop a Pedestrian Improvement Action Plan (Strategy 10A-2, pp. 97-98) |
Actions to Date: · Work on the annual sidewalk and bicycle plan proceeds with the involvement of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and Transportation Advisory Board. · Council adopted revised ranking system on 9/10/01. Council selected projects for this year on 11/25/02.
What’s Left to be Done: Preparation of Action Plan is a potential activity of Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. |
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8.6 Develop a Bicycle Improvement Action Plan (Strategy 10A-2, pp. 97-98) |
Actions to Date: On 9/24/01, the Council adopted a new policy setting standards for when wide outside lanes or striped bike lanes will be used.
What’s Left to be Done: Preparation of an Action Plan is a potential activity of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board. |
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8.7 Adopt roadway standards for on-street bike lanes and begin applying to resurfacing/reconstruction projects (Strategy 10A-2, pp. 97-98) |
Actions to Date: On September 24 2001, the Council adopted a bicycle policy on using wide outside lanes, and in certain circumstances, bicycle lanes.
What’s Left to be Done: Incorporate into new Design Manual. |
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8.8 Conduct community-wide mobility survey (Strategy 10F-1, p. 107) |
Actions to Date: 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.
What’s Left to be Done: Conduct survey every three years. |
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9. Community Facilities |
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9.1 Develop a coordinated Community Facilities Plan (Strategy 11A, pp. 110-112) |
Actions to Date: As part of the Town’s capital improvement planning process, we review needs and status of planning efforts underway, such as the library plan, the parks and recreation master plan, and plans for a new municipal operations and transit facilities; we also have costs for existing and projected building maintenance needs.
What’s Left to be Done: Complete planning for new municipal operations and transit facilities. Council is to consider library building program later this year. |
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9.2 Complete a Parks and Open Space Master Plan (Strategy 11A-7, pp. 118-119) |
Actions to Date: 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. |
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10. Fiscal Conditions |
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10.1 Revise the Town’s permit and fee schedule (Strategy 12A-2, pp. 125-128) |
Actions to Date: 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.
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