MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1995 AT
7:00 P.M.
Mayor Broun called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Council
Members in attendance were Joyce Brown, Joe Capowski, Mark Chilton, Pat Evans,
Lee Pavão, Barbara Powell, Jim Protzman, and Rosemary Waldorf. Staff members in attendance were Town
Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine
Miller, Planning Director Roger Waldon and Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos.
Item 2 Public Hearing on Potential Requests to General Assembly
Roland Giduz urged the
Council to seek and actively support enabling or general legislation to permit
a modest tax on select big ticket admission events in Chapel Hill for three
reasons. Mr. Giduz said this was the
fairest kind of tax possible, the Town needed additional revenues, and the
majority of citizens supported the tax for these reasons. Mr. Giduz also said although he realized
that the Council had to consider a spectrum of proposals, he felt this one was
both logical and fair. He stated his
belief that this would be a luxury tax that would ease the general tax burden
placed on citizens. Mr. Giduz said the
tax would apply only to those who voluntarily choose to pay it. He also stated this tax would not have a
negative effect on ticket sales since tickets were sold and resold to persons
all over the State of North Carolina.
Mr. Giduz urged the Council to bring this needed new revenue to the
Town's coffers.
Gerald Drake, speaking
for the North Carolina Triangle Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility,
addressed the Council regarding gun control.
Mr. Drake suggested that the Town could initiate action toward gun
registration by asking for a State referendum allowing cities and towns to have
stricter gun control laws than the State.
He said positive referendum results could allow the Town to proceed with
gun licensing, which would make the owner liable for any injury or death
resulting from gun usage. Mr. Drake
stated this would help to insure that guns would be locked up and out of the
hands of criminals, children and the mentally ill.
James McEnery,
speaking as the President of TaxWatch, requested that the Council reinforce the
need to seek fire protection funding from the State of North Carolina. Mr. McEnery said this funding needed to be
increased since the amount currently received was inadequate to cover actual
costs. He expressed concern that Town
taxpayers were currently underwriting a $340,000 subsidy for University fire
protection.
Robert Gibb said he
supported stricter gun control measures within Town limits. Mr. Gibb also emphasized the importance of
educating the public about the use of guns.
Collins Kilbourn,
speaking as a member of North Carolinians for Gun Control, said the Town had
the strictest gun control ordinance in the State. He said that when contrasted with laws in other states, however,
state and local gun control laws were very weak. Mr. Kilbourn said existing State statutes had prevented stricter
regulation of guns. He also said a
recent poll concluded that the majority of State residents favored stricter gun
control laws in North Carolina, including provisions for licensing, age limits,
sales, and concealment of firearms.
Phil Sullivan, 101
Dundalf Drive, said he was astounded at the number of requests proposed to the
General Assembly that would require a tax increase. Mr. Sullivan said he disagreed with the proposal to require
developers to include low-income housing in all new developments. Mr. Sullivan also stated that fire
protection funds provided by the State needed to be increased. He also urged the Council to support
stronger gun control measures.
Susan Johnston
requested that the Town help protect the rights of gays and lesbians by
restoring deleted sections of the proposed Orange County civil rights
ordinance. She stated that all citizens
of Orange County should be protected by the Ordinance. Ms. Johnston asked that the Council forward
this request to the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Bob Reda, speaking as
the President of the Alliance of Neighborhoods, stated that during recent
discussions between the Town Council and School Board, Planning Director Roger
Waldon outlined the concept of an adequate public facilities ordinance. Mr. Reda suggested that the Council consider
adding this matter to the items to be considered by the State legislature.
Keith Aldridge, Chair
of the Orange Community Housing Corporation (OCHC), spoke in support of
inclusionary zoning. He suggested that
this type of zoning may be a way to plug the gaps in funding for those
organizations, such as OCHC, who were attempting to provide low and
moderate-income housing developments.
Mr. Aldridge stated that the Town currently had little or no land left
for these types of development. He said
although inclusionary zoning was not the best zoning for many communities, it
did offer a good option to the Town, given the higher cost of living in the
Town. Mr. Aldridge said the proposed
provision would apply to all developers and would provide incentives for low
and moderately-priced homes to be located throughout the Town.
James Goldstein spoke
in favor of an entertainment tax. He
also proposed a resolution, endorsed by TaxWatch, requesting the Town to pursue
State legislation giving the Town the authority to impose such a tax.
Lightning Brown,
speaking on behalf of the Orange County Lesbian and Gay Association, stated that
he had appeared before the Council on March 2, 1994 regarding this same
matter. He said that at that time he
had shared several difficult stories of pain, discrimination, and violence
experienced by gay and lesbian members of the community. He requested the Council's support in asking
that the deleted sections of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance
pertaining to gays and lesbians be reinserted.
Mr. Brown also commented that he favored inclusionary zoning for housing
and was glad to see this proposal on the Council's agenda. He also expressed his support for an impact
tax, rather than an impact fee.
Mayor Broun noted that
the Town Council would be meeting with the local legislative delegation on
March 3rd, with staff preparing a follow-up report for the Council's March 15th
meeting.
Council Member
Protzman requested additional staff follow-up information concerning gay and
lesbian protections in the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance and the matter
of inclusionary zoning. Mayor Broun
said these matters would need to be discussed with the legislative
delegation. Mayor Broun said he
believed the Council had intended to request reinstatement of the gay and
lesbian protections in the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance.
Council Member Chilton
said this was matter was in the County Commissioner's hands. He suggested that the Council send a letter
of support to the Board of Commissioners, so that this could be pursued with
Orange County's legislative requests.
Council Member Brown concurred.
Council Member Brown said she wished to go forward with all of the
suggestions made this evening and would also like to request more information
concerning an adequate public facilities ordinance, so that it could be
discussed with the legislative delegation.
Mr. Horton said some
previously distributed information could be redistributed prior to the March
3rd meeting with the delegation.
Council Member Powell
said she believed that all of the suggestions and recommendations made this
evening were worthwhile. Council Member
Powell said she particularly wished to pursue the fire protection fee increase
from the State. Council Member Powell
said that the inclusionary zoning would benefit less fortunate individuals.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PROTZMAN, TO REFER CITIZEN AND COUNCIL
COMMENTS TO THE MANAGER. THE MOTION
ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Item 3 Petitions
Leigh Scott-Prater,
representing the Chapel Hill Cloggers asked the Council to consider a request
to provide funding assistance for her group to participate in a clogging
festival in Ecuador. Ms. Scott-Prater
presented a brief overview of the festival and
described some of the Cloggers' current community activities. Ms. Scott-Prater requested the Council's
favorable consideration of the funding request. Mayor Broun inquired about possible funding sources. Mr. Horton said one option would be to seek
an allocation from hotel-motel tax funds.
Council Member Protzman suggested that the request be considered as part
of the Town's budget process.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO RECEIVE THE PETITION AND REFER IT
TO THE MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
John Hughes,
representing the Orange County Radio Amateurs, Inc. (OCRA), presented a
petition for acquisition of an Orange County Emergency radio backup
system. Mr. Hughes stated that OCRA
served two principal purposes, training and providing emergency services for
Orange County and surrounding areas.
Mr. Hughes said examples of OCRA's services were emergency radio service
during Hillsborough's recent tornado event, the multiple fires experienced in
the Town about eighteen months ago, and more recently a full week of emergency
service to parts of Orange County when phone service was seriously
interrupted. Mr. Hughes said OCRA
wished to provide a County-wide radio back-up system. He said UNC Hospitals had donated $8,000 to purchase equipment
and WUNC Radio had given his group permission to use part of their radio
tower. Mr. Hughes said OCRA was seeking
matching funds from the Town. He stated
that any help from the Town towards meeting their financial goal would be
greatly appreciated.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, TO RECEIVE THE PETITION AND REFER IT
TO THE MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Cynthia Weiss said she
was concerned about the size and impact of the proposed Meadowmont
development. Ms. Weiss said the
proposed development would impact every aspect of her life and those of her
neighbors. She also stated although
developers had been working on this development for four years, citizens had
only known about the proposal for a little over one year. Ms. Weiss asked the Council not to allow the
developers to speed up the review process.
She also urged the Council to conduct additional studies concerning
anticipated traffic, commercial and retail space impacts on the community.
Jan Halle supported
Ms. Weiss' comments. Dr. Halle said she
opposed expedited review of the Meadowmont development proposal. She also said it was very important for the
East Entranceway Group to gather much more information prior to issuing a
meaningful report to the Council.
Glenn Parks, a
Rogerson Drive resident, said he was gravely concerned about the potential
traffic impact from the proposed Meadowmont development. Mr. Parks said the large scale of the
development surprised him and the impact on NC 54 would be greatly
impacted. He emphasized the importance
of carefully considering such impacts.
Mayor Broun inquired
whether an application was pending. Mr.
Horton said yes. Mayor Broun asked
whether this matter was on the Council's schedule. Mr Horton said it was scheduled for the public hearing date in
May.
Charlotte Adams, 313
Patterson Place, stated that she and her husband had purchased four lots in
1938 on McCauley Street and Patterson Place.
Ms. Adams said she had been parking on McCauley Street at the end of the
privacy hedge on her property for many years, but had recently received a Town
parking ticket. She requested that the
parking restrictions be amended so that she would be able to continue to park
where she had always done so.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO REFER THIS PETITION TO THE
MANAGER. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member Brown
stated that she had some concerns about duplexes on Hillsborough Street. She requested that the Manager examine Town
ordinances to possibly address the concerns of area residents. Council Member Powell requested a follow-up
report concerning unrelated persons residing in duplexes.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL, TO REFER THE MATTERS TO THE MANAGER.
Council Member
Capowski said he believed the Town's rooming house ordinance would cover this
issue, and asked the Manager to look into this. Mayor Broun asked when staff could bring back the report. Mr. Horton said he would attempt to report
back within a month.
THE MOTION TO REFER
WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member Brown
said when the project at 208 W. Franklin Street was reviewed she was under the
impression that a member of the Transportation Board was present, but the
minutes of the Design Review Board indicated that there was not. She said that the Transportation Board
wished to review the project at its next regular meeting.
Council Member Evans
said the applicant had delineated parking spaces for carpools of three or more
people, had proposed bicycle racks and shower facilities, as well as providing
bus passes to employees. She said she
was concerned about the amount of time the staff would have to spend to prepare
a report for the Transportation Board.
Mr. Horton replied that Town staff would ordinarily prepare one memo to
be used for all boards, and said staff might be able to use this memo for the
Transportation Board also.
Council Member Waldorf
inquired whether the proposal had gone before the Design Review Board on more
than one occasion. Mr. Horton said he
did not believe so. Council Member
Waldorf said that if there had been a glitch in the Town's review process, this
was not the applicant's liability.
Council Member Pavão
asked that if the Council acted on this matter and in the future a board
commented that they did not review a specific proposal, would the Council then
have to go back and allow that board to review the proposal. Council Member Brown said the purpose of the
Design Review Board was to allow a representative of each Board to review these
types of proposals and if a representative of a particular board was not
present, it was not feasible to wait until such time as a member could be
present. Council Member Brown said it
was important for the Transportation Board to review the proposal.
COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL, TO
REFER THE MATTER TO
THE TRANSPORTATION BOARD FOR COMMENT AT ITS NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
Mayor Broun said
although he believed it was appropriate for the Transportation Board to examine
the proposal, he also believed the Board should only make informal comments on
the proposal.
Council Member Evans
said it was important for alternates to be designated in the event a board or
commission was unable to attend
a Design Review Board
meeting on behalf of a specific board or commission.
THE MOTION TO REFER
WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member Waldorf
stated that she was the new Council liaison to the Appearance Commission. Noting her new role, Council Member
Waldorf suggested
adding some landscaping to enhance the four entranceway markers into the
Town. She suggested that private
donations and volunteers be used to accomplish this project.
Town Manager Horton
requested that the Council add an item to the Consent Agenda as item 4.2(g)
regarding the Buy Back the Hill Gun Purchase Program. Mayor Broun concurred with the request.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION R-4.2. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING COOPERATION WITH AND ASSISTANCE TO THE BUY-BACK THE HILL TASK FORCE
FOR A PROPOSED GUN BUY-BACK PROGRAM (95-2-27/R-4.2)
WHEREAS, gun-buy backs
sponsored by the Buy Back the Hill task force in 1994, were successful in
removing guns from our community; and
WHEREAS, the Police
Department could provide assistance on a date(s) agreed upon by the Buy Back
the Hill task force and the Chief of Police; and
WHEREAS, a person who
turns in a gun under the buy-back program would not be cited for having a
weapon on Town property;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that:
1. The
Council supports and appreciates the efforts of the Buy Back the Hill task
force.
2. The
Council authorizes the release of Buy Back the Hill funds on deposit with the
Town to the Buy Back the Hill task force.
3. The
Council authorizes the Police Department to receive guns, issue documents
showing receipt of guns, and to dispose of such weapons.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Item 4.1 Consent Agenda
COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WALDORF, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION R-1. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY
(9-0).
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING
VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
(95-2-27/R-1)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts the following
minutes, resolutions and ordinances as submitted by the Town Manager in regard
to the following:
a. Minutes of January 17th, 23rd, 30th and
February 5th.
b. Transportation grant project ordinance
(O-1).
c. Scheduling meeting with legislative
delegation at 7:30 a.m. on March 3rd at Siena Hotel.
d. Extending the review period for
consideration of proposed increases in basic television rates (R-3).
e. Authorizing response to request from Orange
Water and Sewer Authority for comments on proposed changes in sewer use
regulations (R-4).
f. Local amendment to 1994-1995 Community
Development program (R-4.1).
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT
GRANT PROJECT ORDINANCES FOR TRANSIT PROJECTS (95‑2‑27/O-1)
BE IT ORDAINED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that, pursuant to Section 13.2 of Chapter
159 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, the following grant project
ordinance is hereby adopted:
SECTION I
The Section 9 and
Section 3 projects authorized are from 1995 federal funds from agreements with
the Federal Transit Administration and the N.C. Department of Transportation.
SECTION II
The Manager of the
Town of Chapel Hill is hereby directed to proceed with the implementation of
the project within the terms of the grant agreements executed with the Federal
Transit Administration and the N.C. Department of Transportation within the
funds appropriated herein.
SECTION III
The following revenue
is anticipated to be available to the Town to complete activities as outlined
in the project application.
Section 9
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) $290,312
N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 36,289
Town of Chapel Hill (local match) 36,289
──────────
TOTAL $362,890
══════════
Section 3
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) $1,687,868
N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 210,894
Town of Chapel Hill (local match) 210,893
──────────
$2,109,835
══════════
SECTION IV
The following amounts
are appropriated for the project:
Section 9 Planning
Funds
Salaries ‑ FT/Fringe Costs $76,290
Miscellaneous Contracted Services 6,400
──────────
$82,690
══════════
Section 9 Capital
Funds
Capital Equipment $164,200
M & R Vehicles 50,000
Building Improvements 66,000
──────────
$280,200
══════════
Section 3 Capital
Funds
Capital Equipment $1,954,360
Building Improvements 147,075
Maintenance & Repair Vehicles 8,400
──────────
$2,109,835
══════════
SECTION V
The Manager is
directed to report annually on the financial status of the project in an
informational section to be included in the Annual Report. He shall also keep the Council informed of
any unusual occurrences.
SECTION VI
Copies of this project
ordinance shall be entered into the minutes of the Council and copies shall be
filed within 5 days of adoption with the Manager, Finance Director and Town
Clerk.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
A RESOLUTION SCHEDULING
A MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION (95-2-27/R-2)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Town Council of Chapel Hill that the Council will meet with the legislative
delegation from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
on Friday, March 3 in the Terrace Room at the Siena Hotel, 1505 East Franklin
Street, Chapel Hill.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING
THE PERIOD FOR REVIEW OF BASIC CABLE TELEVISION RATES UNDER FEDERAL REGULATIONS
(95-2-27/R-3)
WHEREAS, the Council
has taken steps necessary to enforce federal regulations for basic cable
service and associated equipment; and
WHEREAS, under federal
rules, the cable television company must submit information on its rates to the
Town this summer;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the 30-day period for
rate review is extended by an additional 90 days for consideration of the
filings by Cablevision of Chapel Hill and Cablevision of Durham dated February
2, 1995.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
A RESOLUTION REGARDING
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY'S PROPOSAL TO AMEND
THE AUTHORITY SEWER USE ORDINANCE (95-2-27/R-4)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Mayor on
behalf of the Town to convey to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority that the
Town has no comment on the proposed changes in the Authority's sewer use
ordinance as submitted to the Town with a letter from the Authority dated
January 26, 1995.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING
A LOCAL AMENDMENT TO THE 1994-95 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (95-2-27/R-4.1)
WHEREAS, the Town of
Chapel Hill is a member of the Orange County HOME Consortium and is committed
to rehabilitating low- and moderate income homes in Orange County; and
WHEREAS, the Town of
Chapel Hill has committed and obligated $88,500 of Community Development funds
for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes in Chapel Hill;
WHEREAS, additional
funds are needed to complete the program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill approves a local amendment
to the 1994-95 Community Development Program to use $8,300 of unspent Community
Development Block Grant funds for the Housing Rehabilitation activity, and
authorizes the Manager to submit this change to the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Item 4.2 Information Reports
Council Member Brown
requested that item 4.2(b) be referred to the Transportation Board for
comments.
Council Member
Capowski said his memory was that the first time the Council looked at this
matter was when the Top of the Hill came before the Council. He said he would like to know how many bus
passes were purchased by employers for their employees. Council Member Capowski said that providing
parking spaces was a much more expensive undertaking and suggested encouraging
the purchase of bus passes to reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles.
Item 5 Village Center Rezoning and Special Use Permit
Planning Director
Waldon said the applicant's initial request was to rezone ten acres of land to
Community Commercial (CC). Mr. Waldon
also said that if approved, the development would only take place pursuant to
the Council's approval of the Special Use Permit to be considered this
evening. Mr. Waldon stated that staff
felt the proposed rezoning would achieve the purposes of the Town's
Comprehensive Plan.
Tom Gunn said he was
puzzled by the applicant's rezoning request.
He stated that a change of zoning would allow the developers to pack the
area with buildings as well as asphalt.
Mr. Gunn asked the Council to deny the request because he did not
believe the rezoning would satisfy the requirements of the Comprehensive
Plan.
Bob Rabil, an employee
of Lowe's, stated that a lot of information had been offered regarding the
proposed rezoning. He said both sides
of the issue had presented very convincing arguments to support their
beliefs. Mr. Rabil said he believed
approving the request was a win-win situation.
He said it would ease the Town's tax burden and would create jobs. Mr. Rabil said he strongly recommended that
the Council approve the rezoning request.
Bob Reda stated the
issue this evening was not Lowe's, but whether or not the Council was prepared
to make a decision on this development without a solution to U.S. 15-501
congestion concerns.
Mr. Reda said the
applicant's request should be examined carefully, with additional discussion
taking place at the March 23rd work session on the U.S. 15-501 corridor
study. He urged the Council to delay
action on the matter until after the work session.
Ed Harrison,
representing the Cross-County Community Association, requested that the Council
keep in mind matters including economic development, the element of regional
cooperation such as with the Department of Transportation, Durham City and
County and long-term traffic and transportation impacts in its decision-making
processes. Mr. Harrison said he
believed that each development on the U.S. 15-501 corridor had to be carefully
studied. He expressed concurrence with
Mr. Reda's recommendation to delay a decision on the matter until after the
March 23rd 15-501 Corridor Study work session.
Council Member
Capowski inquired whether the Council was being asked to rezone ten acres of a
twelve-acre site. Mr. Waldon said
yes. Council Member Capowski noted that
the parking lot carried over into two acres which the Council was not being
asked to rezone. Mr. Waldon stated that
a planned development with a minimum area such as parking could go in any zone,
so rezoning was not necessary for this two-acre tract.
Council Member Chilton
displayed a map of the general area under consideration. Council Member Chilton said he did not
believe the Council could proceed with rezoning of the property without
examining the zoning of all properties along the Town portion of the corridor. He suggested that the Council look at the
entire corridor and see what really made sense as to where commercial zoning
should be permitted. Council Member
Chilton suggested the Council not rush in and change the zoning just because
someone was willing to build a commercial structure. Council Member Chilton asked the Council to wait until after the
March 23rd work session before making a decision on the applicant's rezoning
request.
Council Member Chilton
also said he could also make the argument that this development was not
compatible to the surrounding area, since most of the existing area was
residential, rather than commercial.
Council Member Chilton stated that it was possible to build a shopping
center on this site without the need for rezoning.
He suggested that this
possibility be explored.
Council Member Brown
thanked Council Member Chilton for his comments and said he had made a very
good case. Council Member Brown said
she felt it was unfortunate that this matter had been put into a pro- and
anti-Lowe's context, rather than tied to planning along the U.S. 15-501
corridor. Council Member Brown said she
believed the corridor plan should be looked at closely before the rezoning was
approved and suggested that the Council wait until after the March 23rd work
session before making a rezoning decision.
Council Member
Capowski inquired whether the rezoning was linked to the Special Use Permit and
what would happen if the rezoning was approved but the Special Use Permit was
not. Mr. Karpinos stated that the
developer would have one year to obtain special use permit approval.
Council Member
Protzman said although he appreciated Council Member Chilton's remarks, he did
not agree with him. Council Member
Protzman stated that transportation planning matters were the most
critical. Council Member Protzman said
he had studied the proposal over the last few weeks and felt that the Council
was fairly unanimous in what they wanted concerning future development along
the U.S. 15-501 corridor. He stated
that it would be necessary to widen U.S. 15-501 if cloverleafs and off-ramps
were not constructed. Council Member
Protzman stated that allowing the rezoning would be in line with this
reasoning. Council Member Protzman
noted that he supported the proposed rezoning.
Council Member Chilton said his main point was that good transportation
planning along the corridor needed to take place prior to possible rezoning.
Council Member Brown
stated that since the corridor study heavily emphasized transportation and land
use matters, the Council should more closely examine the area and encourage
more citizen comments. She said it
should be looked at from the comprehensive planning angle, rather than just
transportation matters.
Council Member Evans
stated that the Council had in the past opted not to do a small area plan in
this area, choosing instead to study other parts of the Town. Council Member Evans said she agreed with
Council Member Protzman that the requested rezoning was appropriate for this
parcel.
Council Member Waldorf
said she was not optimistic that the Council could do a lot with this corridor
expect for commercial development.
Council Member Waldorf also said she believed the nature of the corridor
was fixed and should be commercially focused.
Council Member Chilton
said he felt it was a defeatist attitude to assume that just because nearby
commercial properties were not pedestrian-oriented did not mean the Council
should continue along the same course.
Council Member Pavão
said after listening to the pros and cons of this issue, he would vote in favor
of the proposed rezoning.
Council Member Brown
pointed out that saying the area was not pedestrian-oriented actually would
argue for not approving the requested rezoning.
COUNCIL MEMBER
PROTZMAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED BY A VOTE OF 7-2,
WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS
BROWN AND CHILTON VOTING NAY.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE CHAPEL HILL ZONING ATLAS (95-2-27/O-2)
WHEREAS, the Council
of the Town of Chapel Hill has considered the application of Tri-City/Pinehurst
National to amend the Zoning Atlas to rezone property identified as Chapel Hill
Township Tax Map 27, Block B, Lots 1 and 1A from Residential-4 to Community
Commercial Conditional, and finds that the amendment achieves the purposes of
the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Council
finds that any approved special use under the Community Commercial Conditional
Use District Zoning would be suitable for the property proposed for rezoning
under the conditions attached to the approved Special Use Permit;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Chapel Hill Zoning
Atlas be amended as follows:
SECTION I
That the northern two
lots of the Village Center 20-acre site, identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax
Map 27, Block B, Lots 1 and 1A, located on the east side of Sage Road, north of
Dobbins Drive and U.S. Highway 15-501, within the Residential-4 zoning district,
plus one-half of the adjoining right-of-way of Sage Road, be rezoned from
Residential-4 to Community Commercial Conditional zoning. The legal description of the property is as
follows:
Beginning
at an existing axle, at the north corner of Amanda Burch Property, Deed Book
143, Page 254. Point also beginning
near the southeast R/W corner of Coleridge Drive. Running thence in a northerly direction N 04 degrees 09' 38"
I 241.29 feet to a point; running thence south 85 degrees 28; 47" east
956.00 feet to a point in the centerline of the creek branch. Running thence along branch south 32 degrees
58' 33" west 15.26 feet to a point.
Running thence along a creek branch south 28 degrees 01' 58" west
78.25 feet to a point. Running thence
along creek branch south 17 degrees 31' 42" west 79.45 feet to a
point. Running thence along creek
branch south 61 degrees 51' 20" west 26.97 feet to a point. Running thence along creek branch south 34
degrees 36' 56" west 61.28 feet to a point. Running thence along creek branch south 12 degrees 53' 53"
west 54.83 feet to a point. Running
thence along creek branch south 31 degrees 22' 41" west 63.72 feet to a
point. Running thence along creek
branch south 11 degrees 23' 09" west 37.86 feet to a point. Running thence along creek branch south 34
degrees 38' 53" west 90.45 feet to a point. running thence along creek branch south 60 degrees 33' 43"
west 48.65 feet to a point. Running
thence along creek branch south 41 degrees 13' 07" west 17.76 feet to a
point at the southwest corner of V.A.C. limited partnership, Deed Book 1205,
Page 126. Running thence north 79
degrees 26' 17" west 7.83 feet to an iron stake. Running thence north 85 degrees 32' 36" west 639.20 feet to
an iron stake. Running thence north 85
degrees 32' 36" west 29.51 feet to a point at the west side of Sage
Road. Running thence north 85 degrees
32' 36" west 20.90 feet to an iron stake in the right of way of Sage
Road. Running thence along Sage Road
north 23 degrees 45' 25" west 17.08 feet to an iron stake. Running thence north 04 degrees 09'38"
east 8.12 feet to a point. Running
thence north 04 degrees 09' 38" east 234.00 feet to the point and place of
beginning.
SECTION II
That all ordinances
and portions of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Mr. Waldon presented
an overview of the proposed planned development shopping center at the corner
of Sage Road and U.S. 15-501. He said
the applicant proposed to reroute Dobbins Drive, which currently ran through
the site and came out on Sage Road. Mr.
Waldon said staff was concerned about this because of its proximity to the U.S.
15-501 corridor. He said the proposal would
move Dobbins Drive further away from U.S. 15-501, which would create a sliver
of landscaping between Sage Road and Dobbins Drive. Mr. Waldon stated that staff recommended that the entire road
between Sage Road and Dobbins Drive be dedicated as open space. He said because of the proposed landscaped
aisle between Sage Road and Dobbins Drive it would be appropriate to reduce the
buffer requirements for this area from thirty feet to twenty feet. Mr. Waldon also said that staff had
concluded that the application would meet development requirements and would be
an appropriate use of the site. He
noted that staff recommended adoption of Resolution A.
Woody Davis of
Pinehurst Development, the applicant's representative, stated that
approximately seventy changes had been requested and the applicant had complied
with all of them. He said the applicant
had agreed to provide a thirty-foot buffer and had been asked to reroute
Dobbins Drive. Mr. Davis said this
involved a total of about one acre of land.
He also stated that the applicant preferred that the matter of buffering
be left open for negotiation with the Town staff.
Bob Anderson said it
was inappropriate for a special use permit decision to be delayed until a firm
corridor plan in place. Mr. Anderson
also said he hoped the Council what was fair for both the applicant and Town residents.
Karen Raleigh said she
believed approval of the proposed Village Center was in the best interest of
the Town and should be approved. She urged the Council not to delay approval of
the special use permit.
Linda Convissor said
she was surprised the matter was before the Council since a work session on the
U.S. 15-501 corridor study would not take place until March 23rd. Ms. Convissor said she did not feel
sufficient time had been allowed for citizen input and asked that the questions
submitted by the Cross-County Community Association be answered by Kimley-Horn,
the applicant's traffic engineer, before the Council acted on the special use
permit. She also requested that the
Council postpone action on the matter until after the March 23rd work session.
Tom Gunn requested
that materials he submitted this evening be entered into the record of the
hearing. Mr. Gunn stated that there
were many problems with the transportation-related information presented by
Kimley-Horn in association with the application. He also stated that a number of staff memorandums prepared last
fall were not included in the materials before the Council this evening.
Ed Harrison stated
that studies had found that about 80% of the vehicles travelling along the U.S.
15-501 corridor exceeded the posted speed limit. He also said that traffic was doubling every decade along this
corridor. Mr. Harrison stated that it
was important that whatever was adopted did the most good possible for the
boulevard area. He said there was a
serious need to fix the geometrics of Scarlette Drive and felt there was no
option but to widen the boulevard. Mr.
Harrison stated that the goal of the site plan should be that the development
contribute as much good as possible to the boulevard. He also expressed concurrence with Mr. Gunn that a number of
important documents had been omitted from the staff's follow-up report.
Bob Reda said he had a
clear idea of what the Council did not want, but had no idea what the Council
did want. Mr. Reda also said he only
knew that the Council did not want a freeway.
He requested that no decision be made on the development proposal until
after the March 23rd work session concerning the U.S. 15-501 corridor
study. Mr. Reda said he understood
there was no plan for a right-turn lane on the southbound side of U.S. 15-501,
on to Sage Road. He implored the
Council to look at the big picture now, not after the fact. Mr. Reda said the Council should also bear
in mind the limited amount of land available in the Town for affordable
housing.
Richard
"Stick" Williams, Chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors, said he supported the special use permit because
it was a good economic development project.
He said the jobs created would be beneficial for the entire
community. Mr. Williams encouraged the
Council to represent the entire community by supporting the applicant's
request.
Council Member
Protzman said he had some concerns, one being the right-turn lane referenced by
Mr. Reda. He said this matter was
related to the applicant's comments about the proposed buffer. Council Member Protzman said he supported
full buffering and felt that the Council should plan for every
eventuality. He also said it seemed
that more lanes would be needed along U.S. 15-501 and should be planned for
now.
Council Member
Protzman stated that a right-turn approach to this development was essential
and that the Council should not reduce the buffer on the right side of Dobbins
Drive since it might not be possible to retain it as a right-of-way if U.S.
15-501 was widened in the future.
Council Member Waldorf
asked if it was being suggested that a right-turn lane be included on the U.S.
15-501 South and if so she would support one.
Council Member Brown
asked how the stormwater would be retained in the parking lot. Mr. Anderson remarked that there were a
number of methods to provide storage, one being to have a pipe size and slope
that would fill the pipe but let it out slowly. He said another approach would be to grade the parking lot to
provide runoff at a slower rate. Mr.
Anderson also stated that the applicant had taken the retention basins out of
the Resource Conservation District area and opted instead for landscaping
options.
Mr. Horton stated that
any proposed drainage plan would need to be approved by the Town Engineer.
Council Member Brown
asked whether the proposed buffer would screen parking lots from view along
U.S. 15-501. Mr. Anderson said it would
be possible to see buildings, but not parking lots, over the proposed berms.
Council Member Evans
asked whether parking had been added in the Resource Conservation District when
the drainage plan was revised. Mr.
Anderson said no, noting that all of the parking lots had always been located
entirely outside of the RCD.
Council Member Chilton
inquired about the assumptions made concerning traffic volume growth rates
along the U.S. 15-501 corridor. Mr.
Davis stated that his firm had projected future traffic volumes based on the
historic growth rate. He noted that the
North Carolina Department of Transportation and Town transportation planning
staff used the same methodology.
Council Member Chilton
inquired about the amount of existing reserved right-of-way along the Town's
portion of the U.S. 15-501 corridor.
Council Member Chilton said he understood that a minimum of two hundred
and sixty feet would be needed for future roadway widening.
Council Member Brown
said some serious questions, including transit-related concerns, had been
raised by citizens this evening. She
requested that these questions be answered before the Council acted on the
matter.
Council Member
Protzman requested clarification of the first "Be it Resolved" in
Resolution R-6a concerning the proposed number of parking spaces. Mr. Waldon explained that staff had worked
with the applicant to reduce the number of required parking spaces as much as
possible, with 702 being the suggested number of spaces.
Mayor Broun said he
realized it was sometimes quite difficult to determine reliable traffic
volumes. Mayor Broun stated that there
were a number of different ways to project potential traffic impacts. Mayor Broun expressed his belief that the Council
had the best available information on which to make its decision.
Council Member Brown
emphasized the importance of getting responses to citizen's questions and
concerns raised at this evening's meeting prior to acting on the matter.
Council Member
Protzman said although he thought that improvements were needed in the Scarlette
Road area, these improvements were not a problem connected to the Village
Center site.
Responding to Council
Member Chilton's earlier query, Mr. Horton stated that the existing
right-of-way along U.S. 15-501 was two hundred and sixty feet. Council Member Chilton noted that the
Triangle Transit Authority had stated that at least 260 feet of right-of-way
would be needed to provide light rail service.
COUNCIL MEMBER
PROTZMAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CAPOWSKI, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED
UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
Council Member
Capowski said he agreed with Mr. Williams' comments, and said the big picture
did indeed need to be examined. He
stated this project should create approximately two hundred and fifty jobs, but
because of the low unemployment rate in Orange County, most of the jobs would
probably go to non-Town residents.
Council Member Capowski stated that the proposed development was on a
smaller site and was approximately one-third larger than the recently completed
Home Depot store in Durham, along the U.S. 15-501 corridor. He expressed concern about whether the
proposed configuration and density were appropriate for the site.
COUNCIL MEMBER
CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHILTON, TO REFER THE APPLICATION
BACK TO THE APPLICANT FOR FURTHER MODIFICATIONS, INCLUDING A REDUCTION IN
DENSITY.
Council Member Evans
inquired whether Council Member Capowski's concerns could be addressed this
evening.
Mr. Waldon first
commented on how trucks would enter and exit the area. He stated that the trucks would have
adequate maneuvering room on the site.
Council Member Evans asked whether delivery trucks would exit via a different route. Mr. Waldon said there were several ways
which trucks could enter and exit the site.
Council Member Evans
said the main drive should be the drive which carried the most traffic. She noted that a stop sign was proposed
along the main entry drive to the site.
Council Member Brown
inquired whether the Town could require the developer to lower the project's
density if all other ordinance requirements were being met. Mr. Horton stated that if the applicant were
asked to lessen the density, it would be up to the applicant to determine
whether or not this was satisfactory.
Council Member Protzman requested the applicant's comment concerning a
possible reduction in site density. Mr.
Anderson stated that the applicant's desire was to meet Town development
requirements and their own needs as well.
He commented that a total site development of 172,000 square feet would
be presented on the final site plan, because the proposed Brendle's store had
been reduced from 45,000 to 40,000 square feet, which was still well below the
maximum density permitted for the site.
Mayor Broun noted the
late hour and acknowledged this was not an easy decision to make. Mayor Broun said he believed the development
proposal was well-balanced and would have long-term community benefits. Mayor Broun stated his belief that the
Council should move forward with approval of the special use permit this
evening.
Council Member Chilton
said he believed that speakers this evening had raised some very important
questions, particularly regarding apparent errors in the Traffic Impact
Statement. Council Member Chilton said
he believed this would require the Council to take another look at this
development. Council Member Chilton
said he believed it would be a mistake to move forward on the matter this
evening, since there were more points which need to be addressed.
THE MOTION TO REFER
THE MATTER BACK TO THE STAFF AND APPLICANT FAILED BY A VOTE OF 3-6, WITH
COUNCIL MEMBERS BROWN, CAPOWSKI AND CHILTON VOTING AYE.
Council Member Protzman
suggested adoption of Resolution 6 with amendments. He proposed that the language on page 15 of the resolution
regarding the Type C buffer be omitted, that the reference to Type C buffer on
page 19 be changed to Type D, and that language be added that would include the
requirement for a right-turn lane. Mr.
Horton offered the following language to be added to Stipulation 3(f) after the
semi-colon: and that a right turn lane
be added to US Highway 15-501 for southwest bound traffic turning right (north)
on to Sage Road."
COUNCIL MEMBER
PROTZMAN MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WALDORF, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 6A, AS
AMENDED.
Council Member Brown
stated she would vote against the proposal because of the many unresolved
questions presented this evening.
THE MOTION TO ADOPT
RESOLUTION R-6A, AS AMENDED, WAS ADOPTED BY A VOTE OF 6-3, WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS
BROWN, CAPOWSKI, AND CHILTON VOTING NAY.
A RESOLUTION APPROVING
AN APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR VILLAGE CENTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT -
SHOPPING CENTER (SUP 27-B-1) (95-2-27/R-6a)
BE IT RESOLVED by the
Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that it finds that the Special Use Permit
application, proposed by Pinehurst National/Tri-City, Inc., on property
identified as Chapel Hill Township Tax Map 27, Block B, Lots 1, 1A, and 2, if
developed according to the site development plan dated November 21, 1994, and
the conditions listed below:
1. Would
be located, designed, and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or promote
the public health, safety, and general welfare;
2. Would
comply with all required regulations and standards of the Development
Ordinance, including all applicable provisions of Articles 12, 13, 14 and 18,
and with all other applicable regulations, except for the modification being
requested below;
3. Would
be located, designed, and proposed to be operated so as to maintain or enhance
the value of contiguous property; and
4. Would
conform with the general plans for the physical development of the Town as
embodied in the Development Ordinance and in the Comprehensive Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Council finds, in this particular case, that the following
modifications to the regulations satisfy public purposes to an equivalent or
greater degree:
1. Modification
to Subsection 14.6 to allow an exception to the parking regulations to allow a
reduction in the number of parking spaces to 702 or fewer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the Town Council hereby approves the application for Special Use Permit
for the Village Center Planned Development - Shopping Center in accordance with
the plans listed above and with conditions listed below:
Stipulations Specific to
the Development
1. Construction
Deadlines: That construction begin
by February 27, 1997 (two years from the date of Council approval) and be
completed by February 27, 1998 (three years from the date of Council approval).
2. Recombination
Plat: That a recombination plat,
combining the three lots into a single zoning lot, be prepared and recorded
prior to issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
3. Required
Improvements:
a. That Dobbins Drive be realigned as shown on
the plans, and that it be built to local street standards with a 27-foot
back-to-back cross-section, with curb and gutter on both sides, and sidewalk on
the north and east sides; and that it be built to withstand future transit
traffic. If the street is to become a
State road, the street must also be built to minimum NCDOT standards.
b. For the site entrance across from Coleridge
Drive, lanes at least 12 feet in width shall be provided. The portion of the entrance which crosses
public right-of-way shall be constructed to the Town's local street standards
with curb and gutter.
c. That right-of-way be dedicated for the
realigned Dobbins Drive extending to Sage Road and U.S. Hwy 15-501. The new Dobbins Drive shall be continuous
(no "islands" of private property shall be created between the new
Dobbins Drive and Sage Road/U.S. Hwy 15-501).
d. That the intersection of Dobbins Drive and
Sage Road be relocated to a point about 320 feet north of its present location,
as shown on the plans.
e. That an additional left-turn lane for
southbound traffic turning northeast onto the highway be provided on Sage Road.
f. That an additional left-turn lane be added
to U.S. Hwy 15-501 for northeastbound traffic turning left (north) onto Sage
Road; and that a right turn lane be added to U.S. Highway 15-501 for southwest
bound traffic turning right (north) onto Sage Road.
g. That the signals at the Sage/Highway
intersection be upgraded to accommodate new left turn lanes.
h. That the applicant be required to contribute
a payment-in-lieu of $7,000 for the necessary traffic counts to be done as part
of the traffic signal timing plan for Zone 4, which includes this section of
the highway. (After the work is
completed, any excess funds would be returned to the developer.)
i. That Sage Road be improved to an 83-foot
cross-section from the highway to a point about 150 feet north of the
highway. This would include six traffic
lanes and a traffic island at least 7 feet in width. This would include an additional left-turn lane for southbound
traffic turning northeast onto the highway and dedication of right-of-way to
include the new improvements and the newly aligned Dobbins Road, including
dedication of right-of-way, for the unpaved land between Dobbins and Sage
Roads.
j. That Sage Road be improved to half of a
5-lane cross-section with curb and gutter, bikelanes, and sidewalk along the
remaining frontage. (This would be
consistent with the Sage Road cross-section of the adjacent (north) section of
Sage Road.) Given the proposed site
plan, this would likely entail construction of a retaining wall on the east
side of Sage Road. In addition,
sufficient right-of-way shall be dedicated to complete a 90-foot total
right-of-way width across this section of Sage Road.
k. That the developer make a payment-in-lieu
for a traffic signal at the main Sage Road entrance to the site. If the warrants for the signal are not met
within 5 years, the payment shall be returned to the developer.
l. That transit stops (shelter, bench, and pad)
be provided near the main Sage Road entrance to the site, and near the main
Dobbins Drive entrance on the north side of Dobbins Drive near Building
#2.
m. That sidewalks be provided in the following
locations:
- both sides of the main Sage Road entrance
- north side of the minor Sage Road entrance
- east side of the main Dobbins Drive
entrance near Building #2
- north side of Dobbins Drive/Highway, along
the property frontage
- east side of Sage Road, along the property
frontage
- along the fronts of both buildings and
between the buildings
- from Sage Road to the western entrance to
Building #1
- along the southern side of the main
vehicular entrance into the site from Sage Road.
n. That textured or colored pavement shall be
provided in the following areas of concentrated pedestrian traffic:
- at the building fronts;
- between the buildings and front parking
areas;
- and at the two primary vehicular entrances,
one each on Sage Road and Dobbins Drive
o. That pedestrian crosswalks from the parking
lots to the building entrances shall be slightly raised above the surrounding
pavement.
p. That the S-curve pedestrian walks proposed
in the individual landscaped islands in the parking lots shall be removed to
allow more room for tree root growth.
q. That bike racks be provided near the main
entrances to the buildings.
r. That adequate horizontal and vertical sight
distances be reserved at all proposed entrances.
s. That all road widening must include
appropriate transitional and deceleration tapers.
t. That all street and driveway entrances onto
State roadways must be controlled with appropriate signage and pavement
markings approved by NCDOT.
u. That drainage facilities, curb cuts, and
curb ramps and all encroachment into State right-of-way shall be reviewed for
approval by NCDOT.
v. That any roadway proposed to be added to the
State's roadway system shall be designed and constructed to NCDOT
standards.
w. That all parking lots and drive aisles shall
be built to meet or exceed minimum Town standards for pavement design and
dimensions.
x. That the parking lot islands near the
northwest corner of Building #2 be reconfigured to better guide traffic and
protect motorists backing out of parking spaces.
y. That some of the drive aisle entrances be
narrowed to better control and direct traffic, and that drive aisle realignment
may be required where drive aisles cross.
The internal circulation plan shall be reviewed for approval by the Town
Manager prior to issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
5. Transportation
Management Plan: That a
Transportation Management Plan be developed, and that the Town Manager review
and approve this plan prior to issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit. The Transportation Management Plan shall
include:
a. provision for designation of a
Transportation Coordinator for the building.
b. provision for submittal of an annual
Transportation Survey and Annual Report to the Town Manager.
c. quantifiable traffic reduction goals and
objectives.
d. provisions for disseminating transit and
ridesharing information
The
Transportation Management Plan shall be reviewed on an annual basis by the Town
Manager. Upon reviewing the annual
report, the Town Manager may suggest changes to the existing programs or may
suggest additional programs. The Plan
may also be amended to reflect the results of the Town's ongoing study of
alternative transportation programs.
Stipulations Related to the
Resource Conservation District
6. Boundaries: That the boundaries of the Resource
Conservation District be shown on the final plat and final plans with a note
indicating that "Development shall be restricted within the Resource
Conservation District in accordance with the Development Ordinance."
7. Variances: That all variances necessary for development
within the Resource Conservation District be obtained before application for
final plat or final plan approval.
Stipulations Related to State and
Federal Government Approvals
8. State
or Federal Approval(s): That plans
for improvements to state-maintained roads or within NCDOT rights-of-ways be
approved by NCDOT prior to the issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
Stipulations Related to
Landscape Elements
9. Landscape
Plan Approval: That a detailed
landscape plan (including the buffer plantings), landscape maintenance plan,
and lighting plan be approved by the Appearance Commission prior to the
issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
The Landscape Plan shall include:
a. Detailed planting plans for the following
buffers:
- Type D buffer of minimum width 50 feet
along the Dobbins/Highway frontage. The
plans shall indicate a berm of 50 feet in width to help screen the parking
areas from the highway.
- Type D Buffer, at least 30 feet in width,
between Dobbins Road and the development, parallel to Sage Road.
- Type D buffer at least 30 feet in width
along Sage Road (north of the Dobbins intersection), outside the power easement
and outside the public right-of-way.
- Type B buffer at least 10 feet wide along
the remaining length of the western property line.
- Type C buffer of minimum width 30 feet
along the northern property line.
- existing vegetation along the eastern
boundary of the northern half of the property, with supplemental plantings if
necessary to fulfill the Type C buffer requirements.
b. A landscape strip at least 5 feet wide
between the buildings and the parking lots and drive aisles.
c. Provisions for shading of at least 35% of
the pavement.
d. A screen wall shall be constructed to screen
the residentially zoned adjacent property from the back of the building's
loading dock, and service areas.
e. All planting islands shall be at least 10
feet in width from back of curb to back of curb. All planters intended to accommodate trees shall be at least 100
square feet in interior area.
f. Planting islands shall be a minimum of 12
feet in width if they include pedestrian paths.
g. Street tree plantings along the U.S. Highway
15-501 frontage in accordance with the Town's Entranceway Master Landscape Plan
for this section of the highway.
h. Screening of the proposed garden shop from
the road view with solid fencing or walls.
i. Plantings areas shall be no steeper than
4:1. Exceptions can be made by the Town
Manager for 3:1 slopes for special situations.
j. Screening between the north and west sides
of newly aligned Dobbins Drive and the proposed parking areas.
k. Plantings to be installed in the unpaved
area between the newly aligned Dobbins Drive and Sage Road where the two
streets are parallel. The plantings
shall be designed to help screen the parking areas from Sage Road. After installation, the applicant shall be
responsible for maintenance of live plants and removal of dead plants in this
area. A Landscape Maintenance
Agreement, committing the applicant to a maintenance schedule, shall be
approved by the Town Manager prior to issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
l. Existing vegetation and/or fencing may be
used, partially or wholly, to fulfill the buffer planting requirements, where
deemed sufficient by the Town Manager.
10. Landscape
Protection Plan: That a tree
survey, identifying the significant trees to be preserved along the northern
and eastern property lines, and a detailed Landscape Protection plan for these
trees, be submitted for review and approval by the Town Manager prior to
issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
The
Landscape Protection Plan shall include standard landscape protection notes and
a detail of the proposed tree protection fencing. The clearing limit lines should account for the locations of
utilities and stormwater management improvements.
Stipulation Related to
Building Elevations
11. Building
Elevation and Signage Approval:
That all four sides of each building be given comparable architectural
treatment so that the rear service sides of the buildings facing residentially
zoned property will be as attractive as possible. All service areas and equipment, including rooftop equipment,
shall be screened from view.
The
detailed building elevations and signage shall be reviewed for approval by the
Appearance Commission prior to issuance of the Zoning Compliance Permit.
Stipulations
Related to Water, Sewer and Other Utilities
12. Water/Sewer: That separate service lines for the two
buildings be provided, and a revised sewer service plan be reviewed for
approval by OWASA. Any necessary water
and sewer easements must be dedicated via recordation of a final plat prior
issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
13. Fire
Hydrants: That three new fire
hydrants shall be installed within the site on 8-inch water lines, and an
existing hydrant shall be relocated within the site. The fire hydrant locations shall be reviewed for approval by the
Town Manager.
14. Fire
Flow: That a detailed fire flow
report shall be prepared by a registered professional engineer, showing that
flows meet the minimum requirements of the Design Manual, be approved prior to
issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
15. Stormwater
Management Plan: That a detailed
stormwater management plan, based on the Hydros computer model, be submitted
for review and approval by the Town Manager prior to issuance of a Zoning
Compliance Permit.
The
stormwater management plan shall be revised to
eliminate encroachment of stormwater detention facilities into the
Resource Conservation District.
16. Utility/Lighting
Plan Approval: That the final detailed utility/lighting plan be approved by
Orange Water and Sewer Authority, Duke Power, Southern Bell or GTE, Public
Service Company, Cablevision, and the Town Manager, before issuance of Zoning
Compliance Permit. The property owner
shall be responsible for assuring these utilities are extended to serve both
buildings.
The
lighting plan, to be approved by the Appearance Commission and Town Manager,
shall be designed to achieve adequate lighting for nighttime security and to
minimize visual impact on the roadways and adjacent properties through the use
of lower light poles; fixtures directed away from the property lines; and a
lower intensity, even lighting pattern thorough the lighted areas.
Miscellaneous
Stipulations
17. Solid
Waste Management Plan: That a
detailed solid waste management plan, including a recycling plan and plan for
management of construction debris, be approved by the Town Manager prior to the
issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit.
The
number, location, orientation, and size of the dumpsters, dumpster pads, and
recycling containers shall be approved by the Town Manager.
18. Detailed
Plans: That final detailed site plan, grading plan, utility/lighting plans,
stormwater management plan (with hydrologic calculations), landscape plan and
landscape maintenance plan be approved by the Town Manager before issuance of a
Zoning Compliance Permit, and that such plans conform to the plans approved by
this application and demonstrate compliance all applicable conditions and the
design standards of the Development Ordinance and the Design Manual.
19. Certificates
of Occupancy: That no Certificates
of Occupancy be issued until all required public improvements are completed;
and a note to this effect shall be placed on the final plat.
20. Sight
Triangle Easements: That sight
triangle easements be provided for all entrances on the final plat.
21. Erosion
Control: That a detailed soil
erosion and sedimentation control plan, be approved by the Orange County
Erosion Control Officer and the Town Manager before issuance of a Zoning
Compliance Permit.
22. Silt
Control: That the applicant take
appropriate measures to prevent and remove the deposit of wet or dry silt on
adjacent paved roadways.
23. Continued
Validity: That continued validity
and effectiveness of this approval is expressly conditioned on the continued
compliance with the plans and conditions listed above.
24. Non-severability: If any of the above conditions is held to be
invalid, approval in its entirety shall be void.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby approves the
application for Special Use Permit for the Village Center Planned Development -
Shopping Center in accordance with the plans and conditions listed above.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Item 6 Floodway & Floodplain Reconstruction
DOTA
Mr. Waldon noted that
the amendment, if adopted, would allow the rehabilitation and reconstruction of
properties in the Resource Conservation District which experienced catastrophic
damage. He said the Town would allow
reconstruction of properties, but not expansion, in conjunction with Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations. Mr. Waldon noted that a number of communities, including the
Town, had recently requested FEMA flood studies. He also stated that staff recommended adoption of Ordinance A.
Miles Fletcher said he
was disturbed by the proposed change to the Resource Conservation District
regulations. Mr. Fletcher said he
realized the current difficulties that would be experienced if properties were
damaged or destroyed, but believed this amendment would weaken overall RCD
regulations. Mr. Fletcher said he also
believed that when another FEMA flood study was done, the designated flood area
would have expanded. He stated he did
not believe it was fair for one part of the Town to suffer because of
developments elsewhere in the Town. Mr.
Fletcher said it was preferable to strengthen our safeguards, rather than
weaken them.
Johnny Mariakasis said
he would have to get a Town variance to rebuild if his business were destroyed
or damaged. He said it would be very
challenging to maintain his employees and customers if such a catastrophic
event took place. Mr. Mariakakis asked
that the Council seriously consider the needs of business persons in their
decision-making process. Mr. Mariakakis
requested the Council's support of Ordinance 3.
Catherine Newberry
asked the Council to reject the proposed amendment to the RCD ordinance. Ms. Newberry said she felt that rebuilding
in the flood plain should be considered on an individual case basis. Ms. Newberry said that existing regulations
allowed for rebuilding using certain procedures and these should be kept in
place rather than changing the ordinance.
She said changing the ordinance might result people assuming it was
appropriate to build in floodplains.
Ms. Newberry said it was not fair to weaken the existing ordinance. She asked the Council to vote against the
proposed ordinance amendment.
Council Member Chilton
said he had taken some photographs about two weeks ago just after a significant
rainstorm and passed the photographs to Council Members for their viewing. He stated that Article 5 addressed more than
just flooding situations. Council
Member Chilton said the primary issue was not whether or not a property could
be rebuilt upon, but whether or not a process was necessary for approval of
rebuilding activities. Council Member
Chilton said he believed such a process should be required for rebuilding
projects in the Resource Conservation District.
Council Member Brown
said she was also concerned about these matters. Council Member Brown also although said she sympathized with Mr.
Mariakasis, there was a process in place to address rebuilding of damaged or
destroyed properties in the RCD.
Council Member Brown said she did not feel the Council should adopt the
proposed text amendment.
Council Member Pavão
said he intended to support the staff's recommendation to approve the text
amendment. Council Member Pavão said he
felt local businesses were only asking for the right to rebuild under FEMA's
guidelines.
Mayor Broun said he
strongly agreed with Council Member Pavão.
He said the issue was a question of fairness to existing property
owners. Mayor Broun said that since the
value of these properties would be affected, the Town should enforce the
floodway and floodplain strictly and uphold the RCD, but should not use it as
an opportunity to force some property owners out.
Council Member Waldorf
said she also supported the proposed text amendment.
Council Member
Capowski inquired whether it was correct that the proposed amendment pertained
to reconstruction in both the flood plain and floodway. Mr. Waldon said this was correct.
Council Member
Capowski inquired whether the Pizza Hut on Estes Drive was located in the
RCD. Mr. Horton said a formal land
survey would have to be conducted to make such a determination. Council Member Capowski inquired about the
number of businesses in floodways around the Town. Mr. Horton said it would be necessary to conduct a survey of
properties to determine this information.
Using Bolin Creek as
an example, Council Member Capowski asked why the floodway, relative to the
creek, was one foot higher. Mr. Waldon
said he had insufficient information to adequately address this specific question. He noted that the lay of the land, such as
the slope of the bank, would effect this calculation.
Council Member
Protzman said he certainly did not want to weaken the Town's RCD regulations
and he did not believe this proposal would do so. He stated that it would probably be some time before the RCD,
floodway and floodplain were redefined, potentially impacting more businesses
and residences. Council Member Protzman
said out of sense of fairness, the Council should support the proposed change.
Council Member Chilton
stated that under existing RCD regulations,
a property owner could
go through a process to receive a variance to rebuild in the event of
significant property damage. Council
Member Chilton said he could not imagine the Council denying permission to
rebuild a same size structure in the RCD if a building were to be destroyed by
fire or other catastrophe.
He also emphasized
that FEMA regulations were not environmental regulations. Council Member Chilton said if changes were
adopted, he would strongly urge that rebuilding only be permitted in the
floodplain, not in the floodway.
COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 3.
Council Member
Capowski proposed an amendment, to say that the Manager would report back
annually to the Council the number of actions taken under this text amendment.
Council Member Chilton
proposed another amendment, which would delete the reference to Section
5.4.5. The motion was seconded by
Council Member Brown.
Council Member Evans
noted that if FEMA conducted a study in the future, the limits of floodways and
floodplains could change.
Mr. Karpinos said he
did not believe that Section 5.4.5 could be deleted at this time as proposed by
Council Member Chilton without significantly changing the language of the
proposed ordinance.
Council Member Powell
inquired why Council Member Chilton was suggesting this modification to the
proposed ordinance. Council Member
Chilton stated that the proposed language would permit rebuilding in the
floodplain but not the floodway. He
noted that the floodplain entailed a much larger area than the floodway.
THE MOTION TO DELETE
REFERENCE TO SECTION 5.4.5 FROM ORDINANCE 3 WAS DEFEATED BY A VOTE OF 3-6, WITH
COUNCIL MEMBERS BROWN, CHILTON, AND PROTZMAN VOTING AYE.
THE MOTION TO ADOPT
ORDINANCE 3 WAS ADOPTED BY A VOTE OF 7-2, WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS BROWN AND
CHILTON VOTING NAY.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
THE CHAPEL HILL DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
REGULATIONS (95-2-27/O-3)
WHEREAS, the Council
of the Town of Chapel Hill has considered the proposed amendment to the Chapel
Hill Development Ordinance adjusting the Resource Conservation District
provisions, and finds that the amendments are appropriate due to changed or
changing conditions in a particular area or in the jurisdiction generally and
achieves the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
ORDAINED as follows:
SECTION I
AMEND Subsections
5.4.4 and 5.4.5 of the Chapel Hill Development Ordinance to read as follows:
5.4.4 Application
of the Resource Conservation District to the Expansion, Reconstruction,
Rehabilitation or Renovation of Development Existing Within the Regulatory
Floodplain
Within
the part of the RCD within the regulatory floodplain, any alteration, repair,
reconstruction, or improvements to a structure, and/or a development shall meet
the requirements of Section 5.6 of this Article.
a) Within the regulatory floodplain, the
expansion of a development existing, or for which construction had
substantially begun, on or before March 19, 1984, is prohibited unless:
1) the expansion is permitted by Section 5.5
and meets the design standards of Section 5.6; or
2) the expansion is permitted by a variance
authorized by this Article and approved by the Board of Adjustment.
b) Within the regulatory floodplain, the
reconstruction, rehabilitation, or renovation of a development existing, or for
which construction had substantially begun, on or before March 19, 1984, is
prohibited unless:
1) the reconstruction, rehabilitation, or
renovation complies with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency in place at the time of reconstruction, rehabilitation, or renovation.
5.4.5 Development Within Floodway Portion of the
Regulatory Floodplain.
Within
the part of the RCD within a floodway, no development, maintenance, or land
disturbance shall be permitted without certification (with supporting technical
data) from a registered professional engineer that base flood heights will not
be increased.
a) Within the floodway portion of the
regulatory floodplain, the expansion of a development existing, or for which
construction had substantially begun, on or before March 19, 1984, is
prohibited unless:
1) the expansion is permitted by Section 5.5 and
meets the design standards of Section 5.6; or
2) the expansion is permitted by a variance
authorized by this Article and approved by the Board of Adjustment.
b) Within the floodway portion of the
regulatory floodplain, the reconstruction, rehabilitation, or renovation of a
development existing, or for which construction had substantially begun, on or
before March 19, 1984, is prohibited unless:
1) the reconstruction, rehabilitation, or
renovation complies with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency in place at the time of reconstruction, rehabilitation, or renovation.
SECTION II
That all ordinances
and portions of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Council Member
Capowski moved that the Manager report back to the Council annually on the
number of actions taken under this text amendment, if any.
COUNCIL MEMBER
CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WALDORF, FOR THE STAFF TO PREPARE AN
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE NUMBER OF ACTIONS TAKEN REGARDING THE TEXT AMENDMENT, IF
ANY. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED BY A VOTE
OF 8-1, WITH MAYOR BROUN VOTING NAY.
Item 7 Colony Lake Development
Mr. Horton stated that
area homeowners had requested changes concerning refuse collection and street
maintenance. He said although this
would require a special use permit modification, the Development Ordinance also
permitted minor changes without the need for such a modification. Mayor Broun asked if a special use permit
modification would be needed if the proposed resolutions were not adopted by
the Council. Mr. Horton said this was
correct.
Council Member
Capowski asked whether the Town would be fiscally responsible for paving
streets in Colony Lake. Mr. Horton said
no, noting that property owners would bear this expense.
Ken Hough stated that
he had been informed that converting to Town refuse collection in Colony Lake
would only entail rerouting, rather than additional expenses to the Town. He said the residents of Colony Lake were
requesting the removal of dumpsters from their single-family residence
neighborhood. Mr. Hough asked the
Council to please adopt Resolution 9 and instruct the Manager to provide Town
refuse collection to the Colony Lake subdivision.
Dr. Jim Jacobs said he
supported Council adoption of Resolution 8, concerning street maintenance.
COUNCIL MEMBER
CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 8. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.
A RESOLUTION
INSTRUCTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO VIEW PROPOSED CHANGES REGARDING PUBLIC
MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING PRIVATE STREETS AT COLONY LAKE DEVELOPMENT AS A MINOR
CHANGE TO THE DEVELOPMENT RATHER THAN A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MODIFICATION
(95-2-27/R-8)
WHEREAS, the Council
of the Town of Chapel Hill approved a Special Use Permit for the Colony Lake
Development on February 27, 1984; and
WHEREAS, the Council
approved plans and conditions that identified private ownership and maintenance
of particular streets;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council instructs
the Town Manager to consider changes proposed to the development by the
Homeowner's Association regarding public maintenance of particular private
streets and dedication of said private streets as public streets to be a minor
change to the Special Use Permit rather than a Modification of the Special Use
Permit as defined by the Development Ordinance for purposes of processing an
application for the changes.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
COUNCIL MEMBER
CAPOWSKI MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WALDORF, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 9. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.
A RESOLUTION
INSTRUCTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO VIEW PROPOSED CHANGES REGARDING THE PRIMARY
FORM OF REFUSE COLLECTION AT COLONY LAKE DEVELOPMENT AS A MINOR CHANGE TO THE
DEVELOPMENT RATHER THAN A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MODIFICATION (95-2-27/R-9)
WHEREAS, the Council
of the Town of Chapel Hill approved a Special Use Permit for the Colony Lake
Development on February 27, 1984; and
WHEREAS, the Council
approved plans and conditions that identified bulk refuse collection as the
primary form of refuse collection;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council instructs
the Town Manager to consider changes proposed to the development by residents
to allow curbside refuse collection in particular areas of the development to
be a minor change to the Special Use Permit rather than a Modification of the
Special Use Permit as defined by the Development Ordinance for purposes of
processing an application for the changes.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Item 8 Dining on Downtown Sidewalks
Mr. Horton stated that
two principal areas of concern had been identified, one being that the proposal
might not be permissible under existing State Statutes and secondly, how the
serving of alcoholic beverages on sidewalks might be contained. Mr. Horton said he recommended that the
Council adopt Resolution 10a, calling a public hearing on the matter. Council Member Capowski inquired whether the
proposal pertained only to West Franklin Street. Mr. Horton said such requests could be received from any part of
the Town.
COUNCIL MEMBER WALDORF
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 10A. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY.
A RESOLUTION CALLING A
PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 27, 1995 FOR THE PURPOSE OF HEARING CITIZEN
COMMENT ON PERMITTING DINING ON THE SIDEWALKS IN THE TOWN CENTER-1 AND -2
ZONING DISTRICTS AND INSTRUCTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE CONTROL COMMISSION AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO
DETERMINE WHETHER AND HOW SIDEWALK DINING AND DRINKING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
CAN BE PERMITTED (95-2-27/R-10a)
WHEREAS, the Council
has received a petition requesting that the Town permit dining on the sidewalks
in the downtown area; and
WHEREAS, the Council
desires to hear public comment on whether and how dining on the sidewalks
should be permitted;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council calls a
Public Hearing to be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 27, 1995 in the Council Chamber
of the Town Hall, for the purpose of receiving comment on an ordinance which:
* would
permit property owners who operate businesses in the Town Center-1 and -2
zoning districts to apply to the Town for a permit to use the sidewalks for
dining; and
* would permit only customers of the restaurant to
use the tables and chairs placed by the restauranteurs.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill instructs the Town
Manager to work with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and the State
Department of Transportation to determine whether and how sidewalk dining and
drinking of alcoholic beverages may be permitted.
This the 27th day of
February, 1995.
Item 10 Downtown Plan Committee
Josh Gurlitz thanked
the other members of the committee who had worked very hard on this
report. Mr. Gurlitz presented a brief
overview of the information previously distributed to the Council. He said the Committee's top priority was the
creation of a central village association, which would be an inclusive
organization represented by the University, Town, and interested citizens. Mr. Gurlitz said the proposed association
would study issues of common concern, such as traffic, zoning and land use, and
public safety.
Mr. Gurlitz stated
that the Committee also asked the Council to consider the development of a
small area plan for the downtown area.
He said this mechanism would enable the target community to have some
control over its own future development.
Mr. Gurlitz also said this would also allow the Council to better plan
the TC-1 and TC-2 zoning districts.
Mayor Broun thanked
the committee members for their hard work and contributions to the community.
COUNCIL MEMBER PAVAO
MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, TO REFER THE SUGGESTIONS MADE IN THE
REPORT TO THE MANAGER FOR A REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL.
Council Member Brown
inquired about the proposed public forum process. Mr. Horton stated that as a part of the follow-up report a
process could be suggested. Council
Member Brown expressed her concurrence.
Council Member Waldorf
asked whether changes would be needed in zoning if the suggestions made in the
report were implemented. Mr. Gurlitz
said yes, noting that some changes would be necessary if all of the suggestions
were adopted.
Council Member
Protzman also thanked the committee and said he thought the idea of a small
area plan was an excellent one.
THE MOTION TO REFER
THE REPORT WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (9-0).
There was no need for
a Closed Session.
The meeting stood
adjourned at 11:17 p.m.