AGENDA #2
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
From: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
Subject: Concept Plan: Erwin Road Subdivision
DATE: April 23, 2003
INTRODUCTION
Attached for your consideration is an application for Concept Plan Review. The proposed use is residential development consisting of 41 dwelling units. The 30-acre site is located on the east side of Erwin Road, immediately south of Interstate 40 (I-40). The Concept Plan proposes a cul-de-sac with one point of access off of Erwin Road.
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 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 March 19, 2003. A summary of comments from that meeting is attached to this memorandum.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
This Concept Plan application proposes a residential Planned Development consisting of 41 dwelling units consisting of 25 single family lots and 16 duplex lots. The 30-acre site is located on the east side of Erwin Road, immediately south of Interstate 40 (I-40). The Concept Plan proposes a cul-de-sac with one point of access off of Erwin Road. Most of the site’s southern property line is adjacent to open space/greenway corridor (Dry Creek Greenway) property owned by the Town.
Development of portions of the site is restricted by the Resource Conservation District, the 100 year Dry Creek floodplain and several wetland areas. The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as Low-Density Residential (1 to 4 units per acre). The site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) zoning district. The property is also with Town limits and the Town’s Urban Services Area. This Concept Plan is proposed in the context of the existing zoning for the site. The tract is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 26, Lots 16 and 36A.
This Concept Plan was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on March 19, 2003. Community Design Commission Summary Comments and a reduced copy of the proposed Concept Plan is attached to this memorandum (Attachment 3). We believe that the Concept Plan before the Council tonight is the same plan.
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. E-mail correspondence from Mark Cate to Town Council March 6, 2003 (p. 8).
3. Community Design Commission Summary Comments March 19, 2003 (p.10).
4. Concept Plan application materials (p. 11).
5. Area Map (p.15).
6. Reduced plans (p. 16).
7. Site Photos (p. 17).
A RESOLUTION TRANSMITTING COUNCIL COMMENTS ON A CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE ERWIN ROAD SUBDIVISION (2003-04-23/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 Erwin Road, called Erwin Road Subdivision; 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 April 23, 2003, and reflected in minutes of that meeting.
This the 23rd day of April, 2003.