MINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE

TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1992 AT 7:30 P.M.

Mayor Broun called the hearing to order. Council Members in attendance were Julie Andresen, Joyce Brown, Mark Chilton, Joe Herzenberg, Roosevelt Wilkerson, Jr. and Alan Rimer. Council Members Joe Capowski and Arthur Werner were absent excused. Also in attendance were Assistant to the Mayor Lisa Price, Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Assistant Director of Engineering Michael Neal, Development Coordinator Jennie Bob Culpepper and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.

Item 1 N.C. 86 Proposed Roadway Improvements

Assistant Engineering Director Michael Neal briefly reviewed the three proposed roadway alternatives and issues raised at public hearings on the proposals. He noted that the purpose of this evening's hearing was to receive public comments on the widening of N.C. Highway 86. Mr. Neal said referral of comments was recommended to the Transportation Board and Manager and Attorney. He stated that the staff would report back to the Council on the roadway proposal during May.

Council Member Andresen inquired about the cost and funding source of the engineering study. Mr. Neal said $156,000 had been budgeted for the study, of which approximately $75,000 has been expended. He stated that funds for the study were from 1986 Transportation Bond funds.

Larry Benninger, President of the Northwood Homeowners Association, said the present level of service on N.C. 86 was unacceptable. He stated that the roadway was dangerous and narrow. Mr. Benninger said it would be preferable for right-of-way to be taken from eastern side of N.C. 86, north of Weaver Dairy Road, rather than land adjoining the Northwood neighborhood. He stated that Northwood residents favored the construction of a sound barrier adjoining the proposed new roadway. Mr. Benninger noted that turning left out of Northwood subdivision at present was quite difficult. Mr. Benninger said he hoped that signalization at Eubanks Road will be considered. He also suggested that proposed medians be carefully considered to minimize access problems for area residents.

John Maddry said he would greatly impacted by the roadway proposal due to his large land holdings along N.C. 86. Mr. Maddry also said the properties had been in his family for over one hundred and thirty years. He stated neither medians nor new landscaping were needed for the new roadway. Mr. Maddry expressed concern about the possible damage to value of homes and property due to the proposed construction of the roadway. He suggested that the Council consider constructing a turn lane along the existing highway. Mr. Maddry also suggested that the Council consider building Weaver Dairy Road extension as an alternative to widening NC 86.

Libby Vesilind, a resident of Northwood subdivision, said she was thinking about a three-lane highway with a center turn lane. Ms. Vesilind said the addition of a center turn lane would alleviate problems with rear-end accidents along N.C. 86 north of Homestead Road. Ms. Vesilind said she favored landscaped median along roadway shoulders to buffer pedestrians and bicyclists from the roadway. She also suggested the possibility of a pedestrian overpass in the area. Ms. Vesilind stated that inclusion of an entranceway marker would be a good addition. Mayor Broun noted that a group of interested citizens was identifying locations for entranceway markers to the Town.

Ronnie Maddry said some of the property in question had been in his family for over one hundred years. Mr. Maddry said although he did not oppose a four or five-lane roadway, he felt construction of a median would be a waste of property.

Randy Young, Marketing Director of the University's Transportation and Parking Program who said he was speaking for himself, stated that several oak trees on the Maddry's property were very significant. He said that the provisions of medians and turn lanes could place stress on intersections from persons wishing to make u-turns. Mr. Young requested that the Council take into account the historical character of area land and the importance of clean air.

Gordon Mitchell, an area property owner, said some of his buildings were quite close to NC 86. He suggested that the Council consider a turn lane in lieu of a median. Mr. Mitchell also encouraged the Council to consider building Weaver Dairy Road Extension. He stated that Ms. Vesilind's idea of constructing medians next to bicycle lanes was a good idea.

Joel Harper, Executive Director of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, said the widening of NC 86 was long overdue. He emphasized the important role of adequate roadways in fostering economic development. Mr. Harper noted that the proposed project was currently included on the Department of Transportation's schedule. He stated that the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce encouraged the Council to approve the proposed roadway widening.

Council Member Rimer said he was entranced by the idea of a three-lane road with a turning lane. He inquired about the viability of such a proposal. Mr. Neal said staff could provide a follow-up report to the Council. Council Member Andresen said Ms. Vesilind's proposal was an interesting one. She inquired about the cost of constructing Weaver Dairy Road Extension. Council Member Andresen also asked about the type of trees permitted by the Department of Transportation and how pedestrians could cross NC 86. She also said that the Council had an obligation to consider the whole Town's interest in this matter. Council Member Andresen requested that the staff outline which sections of roadway were contemplated for a median in their follow-up report to the Council.

Council Member Brown requested staff follow-up information on the possibility of adding bicycle lanes and sidewalks using Department of Transportation funding. She also requested follow-up information on how the Department of Transportation would respond to putting medians on the side of a roadway. Council Member Herzenberg said he was also interested in bicycle paths, sidewalks and Ms. Vesilind's proposal.

Council Member Wilkerson said he was interested in tree matters and requested additional information about the two parcels of land proposed for deletion. He also requested information on the impact of right-of-way acquisition on bicycle lanes and sidewalks, the possibility of a signal light at Eubanks Road and whether right-of-way north of Weaver Dairy Road would be obtained from the eastern or western side of the roadway.

Council Member Andresen said she concurred that ingress and egress from Eubanks Road was an important point. She expressed hope that the Department of Transportation would address this point positively in light of the proposed Chapel Hill North development.

Council Member Rimer emphasized the need to examine landscaping and planting plans and traffic signal arrangements made in accord with the Chapel Hill North development. He said it would be useful to have this information to make direct comparisons.

Council Member Chilton thanked this evening's speakers for their thoughts on the proposed roadway plans. Council Member Chilton said he was interested in the three-lane roadway proposal. He said that landscaping, bikeways and sidewalks were an integral part of any such project. Mayor Broun noted that funding would be a major subject of discussion relative to the proposed roadway. Mayor Broun said he concurred that bikeways and sidewalks were project necessities rather than amenities.

COUNCIL MEMBER RIMER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO REFER THE MATTER TO THE MANAGER, ATTORNEY AND TRANSPORTATION BOARD. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

Item 2 UNC Hospital Administration Building SUP Request

Persons wishing to testify in the matter were sworn by the Town Clerk.

Development Coordinator Jennie Bob Culpepper reviewed the application for a three-storey, seventy thousand square foot office building. Ms. Culpepper said the proposal involved the last developable parcel in the area. She stated that the applicant proposed to extend an existing driveway and connect the roadway at a ninety-degree angle to enhance safety. Ms. Culpepper noted that proposed fireflow would be two thousand two hundred and fifty gallons per minute, compared to the Town's design standard of twenty five hundred gallons per minute. She stated that the proposed conditions of approval required the applicant to provide a transportation management plan. Ms. Culpepper said the Manager's preliminary recommendation was the adoption of Resolution A. She noted that the Transportation Board's recommendation was adoption of Resolution B, requiring the applicant to provide a bus shelter.

Council Member Andresen inquired about the impact of requiring a transportation management plan. Ms. Culpepper said the plan was intended to encourage people to find alternative means for getting to work. Council Member Andresen asked whether any of the proposed building was located in the resource conservation district. Ms. Culpepper said no, adding that the building site was located near a water quality critical area. Council Member Andresen inquired about the rationale for not including this parcel in the resource conservation district. Ms. Culpepper said the resource conservation district was associated with the location of the one hundred year flood line. Council Member Andresen inquired who might use sidewalks in the area. Ms. Culpepper noted that there would likely be pedestrians using adjoining trails in the area.

Planning Board representative Marianna Chambless reported that the Planning Board had voted 3-2 to recommend approval of the proposal to the Council. She noted that the Board had requested that the applicant take steps, such as tinting of glass, to mitigate hazards from birds flying into the proposed building. Ms. Chambless also noted that several members of the Planning Board had concerns about the proposed number of parking spaces. She said the Board suggested that the applicant provide more shuttle buses instead of parking spaces near the site.

Mary Beck, the applicant's representative, said the proposed building would play a role in achieving management efficiencies in hospital administration operations. Ms. Beck said the proposed development was consistent with zoning requirements. She also noted that erosion and sedimentation control and stormwater management plans had been developed for the project. Ms. Beck stated that the applicant had no interest in the development of the proposed Laurel Hill Parkway. She stated that although current traffic at the intersection of NC 54 did not warrant a traffic signal, the applicant desired installation of a traffic light in the area in the future. Noting that approximately thirty-five percent of the proposed structure would be glass, Ms. Beck noted that research concerning birds flying into buildings was relatively limited. She said reflective tinted glass would be used for energy efficiency and glass in the center of the facility would be clear.

Ms. Beck said concerted efforts were being made for the building to have a limited impact on birds. She showed a model of the proposed building, noting that the structure combined reflective glass and concrete banding. Ms. Beck stated that the three-storey building would be forty-three feet, four inches tall, rather than four storeys tall as originally proposed. She noted that a letter concerning parking at the facility had been provided to the Council. Ms. Beck requested that proposed condition number four be modified to note that the Town, rather than State, would likely maintain the entrance road into the site. She also requested modification of condition number ten to reflect the fact that the facility would not require cable television service and would receive telephone service from the University, rather than Southern Bell.

Council Member Andresen inquired about the width of the entrance road into the building. Ms. Beck said twenty-eight feet, with grassy areas along both sides. Council Member Andresen asked whether the applicant had any objections to a narrower roadway. Ms. Beck said no. Council Member Andresen asked whether there would be a pedestrian link between the park and ride lot and the building. Ms. Beck said yes. Council Member Andresen asked whether people would be encouraged to use the park and ride lot. Ms. Beck said yes.

Council Member Herzenberg inquired about the applicant's statement that noise at the proposed site would be "no greater than normal activity". Ms. Beck said it would be erroneous to say there would be no noise associated with construction. She stated that noise would not be significantly above that for construction of the tennis facility. Council Member Chilton inquired how many stories would be in the proposed building. Ms. Beck said three. Council Member Chilton asked whether there were any plans for a four-storey building. Ms. Beck said no. Council Member Chilton inquired why page forty of the agenda materials referred to a four-storey building. Ms. Beck said the question had been raised at an earlier public information meeting.

Council Member Brown inquired about the normal height of a four-storey building. She inquired whether a typical storey was ten feet. Ms. Beck said hospital storeys were typically thirteen to fourteen feet. She noted that the hospital building would average thirteen feet four inches per storey. Council Member Brown asked whether the proposed building was comparable to a normal four storey building in terms of height. Ms. Beck noted that she was not an architect. She added that the proposed building height was well within the range of a normal three-storey building. Mr. Horton noted as a point of reference that floor heights in the Town Hall building were thirteen feet.

Peter Todd, representing the Sierra Club, presented a letter addressing concerns raised at a public information meeting about the proposed project. Mr. Todd said the Club's only regret was that it had not been given an opportunity to participate in the process sooner. He stated that Sierra Club members were most concerned about the Mason Farm natural reserve and potential light and noise pollution effects by the proposed building. Mr. Todd said none of the applicant's plans contained such detail to be convincing that the building would not be visible from the biological preserve. He stated that the Sierra Club strongly favored preservation of the Mason Farm natural reserve.

Winston Lancaster expressed concern that elements of the University Land Use Plan called for possible realignment of a roadway into Mason Farm. He stated that a proposed white line roadway followed an existing entranceway into the Mason Farm biological preserve, parallel to Morgan Creek. Mr. Lancaster said the Aububon Society was very concerned that the Mason Farm preserve would be severely impacted if the building were constructed. He stated that the proposed roadway to the building would be flooded out several times per year. Mr. Lancaster said that elevating the proposed roadway would be very destructive to the area's environment.

John Kent, Conservation Chair of the New Hope Audubon Society, noted that journal articles indicated that angles of windows on buildings could play a role in reducing bird kills. Mr. Kent also stated that low-sodium pressure lights could reduce the adverse affects of lighting. Mr. Kent said he was glad that a fourth-storey was not planned. He urged the Council to preserve the visual integrity of the Mason Farm biological preserve. Mr. Kent said that natural elements would be compromised by construction of the proposed building. Mr. Kent stated that he favored a road that did not continue the parkway. Ms. Beck noted that, consistent with Mr. Kent's suggestion, low-pressure sodium exterior lighting would be used.

Teresa Crossland said efforts were underway to rename Laurel Hill Parkway as Friday Center Road. She said the applicant was not interested in extending Laurel Hill Parkway. Council Member Herzenberg asked whether matter would be brought before the Town's facility naming committee. Ms. Crossland said yes.

Council Member Andresen said she was concerned about the proposed T-intersection. She also strongly encouraged the applicant to develop a strategy to address concerns about bird habitats. Council Member Andresen invited the hospital's board of trustees to share its future plans for the development of the hospital's facilities. She noted that joint efforts between the Town and hospital needed to be undertaken between the two parties. Council Member Andresen said the Town was ready to plan with the University and Hospital on a number of issues.

Council Member Rimer said it was interesting that the project was planned next to a park and ride lot. He inquired how it would be possible to administer the hospital one and a half miles from the actual facility. Ms. Beck stated that she would pass along Council Member Andresen's comments to the Hospital's Board of Trustees. She noted that the proposed building was not designed to move all hospital administrators out of their existing offices at the hospital. Ms. Beck said the proposed building would offer the benefit of owning instead of leasing. Council Member Rimer said the proposed building would move people away from the center of the campus.

Council Member Brown inquired about the staff's earlier observation that this was the last developable parcel in the area. Ms. Culpepper referred to an exhibit in the agenda materials depicting developable area. Council Member Brown inquired about future development in other nearby areas. Ms. Culpepper said future development was possible in other areas. Council Member Brown requested additional information on the proposed white line road referred to by Mr. Lancaster in his remarks as well as the road on the land use plan to Barbee Chapel Road. Mr. Horton noted that this was not part of the applicant's request. He said additional information on this matter could be provided to the Council. Council Member Andresen asked whether the white line road could be built without Town approval. Mr. Horton said he could report back on this matter. Council Member Chilton also requested information on whether the proposed roadway was located in the resource conservation district.

Council Member Herzenberg said the proposed resolution should be amended to include a stipulation requiring a bus shelter. Mr. Horton said this could be done. Council Member Herzenberg invited University and Hospital officials to make recommendations for the renaming of Laurel Hill Parkway.

Mayor Broun expressed appreciation for the hospital planning staff's efforts to reduce burdens on the central campus area. He requested that Town and Hospital staffs take steps to protect the Mason Farm preservation area.

Council Member Chilton said he had received a complaint from a citizen concerning the manner in which the application had been brought before the Transportation Board. Mr. Horton said he would provide follow-up information on this matter. Council Member Chilton inquired whether it would be possible to resolve whether or not the building would be visible from the biological preserve. He thanked Mr. Todd, Kent and Lancaster for their remarks this evening and the provision of information on moth and bird habitats. Council Member Chilton asked whether it was too late to consider changes affecting bird habitats. He requested information on which birds in the Mason Farm area were most susceptible to flying into buildings. Council Member Andresen asked the University's architects to explore whether bird kills could be reduced.

Mr. Horton requested that the Council recess the hearing to May 26th, rather than May 11th.

COUNCIL MEMBER HERZENBERG MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIMER, TO RECESS THE HEARING TO MAY 26TH.

Council Member Rimer suggested that the proposed conditions of approval be drafted to make it possible to provide a bus shelter in the event that the building's lobby were converted into offices in the future.

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (7-0).

The hearing concluded at 9:24 p.m.