AGENDA #2

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

From:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

Subject:       Concept Plan: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Campus and Print Services

 

DATE:             May 19, 2003

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Attached for your consideration is a proposal for a Concept Plan Review.  The proposed use is a 24,400 square foot printing services facility for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  The proposal is for a 7.55-acre portion of a larger parcel.  The site is located on the south side of Estes Drive Extension, west of Justice Street, and north of Barclay Road.  Access to the development site is proposed from Estes Drive Extension.

 

 

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.  Proposals (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.

 

BACKGROUND

 

A Concept Plan for this proposal was reviewed by the Community Design Commission on May 15, 2002.  Community Design Commission Summary Comments and a reduced copy of the Concept Plan proposed at that time are attached to this memorandum (Attachment 2).

 

Neighbors and Community Design Commission members expressed concerns about the proposed Concept Plan presented during the May 15, 2002 meeting.  In response to those concerns, University representatives held several discussions with residents of the Elkins Hills neighborhood and Town staff.  Following these discussions, the University modified the Concept Plan proposal.  That modified plan is before the Council tonight.  A summary of some differences between the Concept Plan presented to the Community Design Commission on May 15, 2002 and tonight’s proposal are outlined in Table 1 on page 3 of this memorandum. 

 

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 proposals, 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.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL

 

This Concept Plan proposal describes a Printing Services Facility on 7.55 acres located on the south side of Estes Drive Extension, west of Justice Street and north of Barclay Road.  The proposal includes a single story 24,400 square foot building for administrative and professional offices, printing production, mailing area and storage facilities.  Sixty-seven (67) on-site parking spaces are proposed.  Access to the site would be provided from Estes Drive Extension.

 

The Land Use Plan, a component of the Comprehensive Plan, identifies this site as University use.  The site is located in the Office/Institutional-2 (OI-2) zoning district.  The property is within 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 property is located in Orange County and is identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 29, Lots 1 and 1C.

 

The Concept Plan before the Council tonight differs from the plan reviewed by the Community Design Commission in several respects.  Some of those differences are noted in the Table 1.

 

 

Table 1

 

 

Summary of Concept Plan Reviewed by Community Design Comm.

 on May 15, 2002

Summary of Concept Plan Submitted for

Town Council Review

on May 19, 2003

 

Project Title

Grounds & Printing

 Services Facility

Campus & Printing

Services Facility

Acreage

23.5 acres

7.55 acres

No. of Buildings

5

1

Building Square Footage

61,500 square feet

24,400 square feet

No. of Parking Spaces

160

67

No. Access Points

2  (Estes Dr. Extension)

1 (Estes Dr. Extension)

 

 

Proposed Use

 

·    Administrative and professional offices

·    Printing and mail facility

·    Vehicle and equipment

      repair shops

·    Landscaping and

     equipment storage

·    Fueling station

·    Bulk storage area

·    Administrative and professional offices

·    Printing & mail facility

 

 

 

 

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.      Concept Plan proposal materials (p. 6).

2.      Community Design Commission Summary Comments May 15, 2002 (p. 25).

3.      Excerpt from Land Use Management Ordinance on Concept Plan procedures (p. 29).

4.      Area Map (p. 32.

5.      Reduced plans (p. 33).

 

 

A RESOLUTION TRANSMITTING COUNCIL COMMENTS ON A CONCEPT PLAN FOR THE UNIVERISTY OF NORTH CAROLINA CAMPUS AND PRINT SERVICES FACILITIES (2003-05-19/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 Estes Drive Extension, on property owned by the University of North Carolina, called Campus and Print Services Facilities; 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 May 19, 2003, and reflected in the minutes of that meeting.

 

This the 19th day of May, 2003.