AGENDA #1

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

From:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

Subject:       Concept Plan: Chapel Watch

 

DATE:             March 17, 2003

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Attached for your consideration is an application for a Concept Plan Review.  The proposed use is 306 multi-family dwelling units on a 35 acre site located on the south side of Eubanks Road, between the Northwoods neighborhood and the University Branch Southern Railroad. 

 

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

 

On January 27, 2003, the Council enacted a Land Use Management Ordinance requiring that the Council conduct a Concept Plan Review for proposed developments meeting specific land or floor area thresholds.  Applications (other than in Town Center) meeting any of the minimum thresholds as shown below require Town Council review in addition to Community Design Commission review:

 

                        Characteristic               Threshold Triggering Council Review

 

                        Land Area                                5 acres

                        Floor Area                               100,000 square feet

                        # of Dwelling Units                   50 dwelling units

 

The Council has the opportunity tonight to hear this applicant’s presentation, receive a set of comments from the Community Design Commission, hear public comment, and offer a set of suggestions to the applicant for consideration as further plans are drawn.  At the conclusion of the evening’s discussions, we recommend that the Council adopt a resolution (attached) transmitting comments to the applicant.

 

An excerpt from the Land Use Management Ordinance with a description of the process for Concept Plans is attached.

 

ELEMENTS OF REVIEW

 

A Concept Plan is a preliminary step toward the preparation of a formal development plan and application.  The Land Use Management Ordinance states that design and construction of site elements should include:

 

·        Appropriate descriptions and explanations of the relationship and balance among site elements;

 

·        The relationship of the development to natural features, neighboring developments and undeveloped land;

 

·        Access and circulation systems;

 

·        Retention of natural vegetation, minimal alteration of natural topography, mitigation of erosion and sedimentation, mitigation of stormwater drainage and flooding;

 

·        Arrangement and orientation of buildings and amenities in relation to each other and to neighboring developments and streets;

 

·        Landscaping, preservation or enhancement of vistas; and

 

·        Mitigation of traffic impacts.

 

The Town Council and Community Design Commission, in examining development applications, are to consider the various aspects of design, with special emphasis on whether the proposed development is consistent with the Town’s Design Guidelines and the Goals and Objectives of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.

 

This Concept Plan was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on September 25, 2002.  A summary of comments from that meeting is attached to this memorandum.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

 

This Concept Plan application proposes residential development on a 35-acre site on the south side of Eubanks Road, between the Northwoods neighborhood and the University Branch Southern Railroad.  The United Parcel Service facility and the Town of Chapel Hill’s Eubanks Road Park-and-Ride Lot are both located north of the proposed site.  The approved Larkspur Subdivision is located immediately south of the site. 

 

The development proposes 306 multi-family dwelling units, including 373,123 square feet of floor area.  534 parking spaces are proposed.  Portions of the site are zoned Residential-1 (R-1), Residential-2 (R-2), and Mixed Use Office/Institutional-1 (MU-OI-1).  Development of portions of the site is restricted by the Resource Conservation District.  The applicant has indicated that a rezoning to the Residential-5-Conditional zoning district will be requested for this site.  The property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 18, Lots 15, 16, and 16A.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the Council review this Concept Plan, receive comments from the Community Design Commission and citizens, and adopt a resolution transmitting comments to the applicant. 

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.      Excerpt from Land Use Management Ordinance on Concept Plan procedures (p. 5).

2.      Community Design Commission Summary Comments September 25, 2002 (p. 8).

3.      Concept Plan application materials (p. 11).

4.      Reduced plans (p. 23).

 

 

A RESOLUTION TRANSMITTING COUNCIL COMMENTS ON A CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE CHAPEL WATCH PROPOSAL (2003-03-17/R-1)

 

WHEREAS, a Concept Plan has been submitted for review by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill, proposing general development plans for a project on Eubanks Road, called Chapel Watch; and

 

WHEREAS, the Council has heard presentations from the applicant, the Community Design Commission, and citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, the Council has discussed the proposal, with Council members offering reactions and suggestions;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council transmits comments to the applicant regarding this proposal, as expressed by Council members during discussion on March 17, 2003, and reflected in minutes of this meeting.

 

This the 17^th day of March, 2003.