SUMMARY MINUTES OF A CLOSED SESSION
OF THE CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2003 AT 8:17 P.M.
Mayor Kevin Foy called the Closed Session to order at 8:17 p.m.
Council members present were Flicka Bateman, Pat Evans, Ed Harrison, Mark Kleinschmidt, Dorothy Verkerk, Jim Ward, and Edith Wiggins.
Council Member Bill Strom was absent, excused.
Staff members present were Town Manager Cal Horton, Assistant Town Managers Sonna Loewenthal and Florentine Miller, Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos, and Town Clerk Joyce Smith.
Item 1 - Potential Purchase of Open Space Adjacent to Umstead Park
Ms. Loewenthal offered a brief description and location of the property. She noted that the tract is 1.9-acre and is zoned R-3. Ms. Loewenthal stated that the property is accessed from Carver Street which is a narrow cul-de-sac, and is bounded on the north and west by a Town park and greenway. She noted that the entire site is wooded and has relatively steep slopes. Ms. Loewenthal commented that funds to purchase this site are available from 1996 Open Space bond funds.
Mayor Foy asked if it was possible to build on the property even though it is very steep. Mr. Horton responded that the owners had the right to some type of development. Mayor Foy asked about the zoning, and Ms. Loewenthal said it was currently zoned R-3, which meant that up to about 6 to 7 units per acre could be built on it.
Council Member Ward stated that if there was a buildable area, why not carve it out and retain the rest for green space. Ms. Loewenthal stated that could be considered. Mr. Horton noted that one of the affordable housing agencies may be able to develop it. If that was done, he said, then the open space bond monies used would have to be repaid. Council Member Ward said he was interested in pursuing that.
Mayor pro tem Evans asked if purchase of this property would provide an opportunity for the trail to come up to Carver Street. Ms. Loewenthal responded yes.
Item 2 – Potential Purchase of Open Space Adjacent to Dry Creek
Ms. Loewenthal stated that the 31 acres of land being offered to the Town is located along Dry Creek. She said it is bounded on the south and east by Town open space, to the north by I-40 and to the west by Erwin Road. Ms. Loewenthal noted that the parcel is wet, with about 13 acres, or 42%, lying in the Resource Conservation District (RCD). She said the Town could acquire it by using some of the open space bond money recently approved by the voters. Ms. Loewenthal added that the price is reasonable. Mr. Horton noted it would allow us to preserve it and prevent building in the RCD.
Council Member Ward asked if purchasing this property along with the Umstead property just discussed would these purchases preclude us from acting on any other properties. Ms. Loewenthal stated not at this time.
COUNCIL MEMBER WARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARRISON, ADOPTION OF R-1, AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO USE TOWN OPEN SPACE BOND FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF 1.9 ACRES OF PROPERTY ADJACENT TO UMSTEAD PARK. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO USE TOWN OPEN SPACE BOND FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF 1.9 ACRES OF PROPERTY ADJACENT TO UMSTEAD PARK FOR $70,300 (2003-11-10/R-1)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel has built Umstead Park and the Tanyard Branch Trail near the confluence of Bolin Creek and Tanyard Branch; and
WHEREAS, in November 1996, Chapel Hill voters approved $3,000,000 in general obligation bonds for purchase of open space; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 1998 the Council adopted the “Chapel Hill Greenways Comprehensive Master Plan”, which includes a trail along Tanyard Branch; and
WHEREAS, the Town has been actively acquiring land along Tanyard Branch.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manage is authorized to use Town 1996 Open Space bond funds for purchase of 1.9 acres of property identified as Chapel Hill Tax Map # 7.94.B.18A located adjacent to Umstead Park.
This the 10th day of November, 2003.
COUNCIL MEMBER WARD MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARRISON, ADOPTION OF R-2, AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO USE TOWN OPEN SPACE BOND FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF 31.27 ACRES OF PROPERTY EAST OF ERWIN ROAD AND SOUTH OF I-40. THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY (8-0).
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO USE TOWN OPEN SPACE BOND FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF 31.27 ACRES OF PROPERTY EAST OF ERWIN ROAD AND SOUTH OF I-40 FOR $1,047,560 (2003-11-10/R-2)
WHEREAS, in November 1996, Chapel Hill voters approved $3,000,000 in General Obligation bonds for purchase of open space, and in November 2003 they approved an additional $3,000,000 in General Obligation bonds for the same purpose; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, the Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County, City of Durham, and Durham County adopted the New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan, which identified potential trails and areas to be protected along Dry Creek; and
WHEREAS, on June 23, 1997, the Council adopted the “Dry creek Greenway Conceptual report to the Town Council”, which set as a goal the construction of a trail along Dry Creek from East Chapel Hill High School to Eastowne; and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 1998, the Council adopted the “Chapel Hill Greenway Comprehensive Master Plan”, which includes a trail along Dry Creek; and
WHEREAS, the Town has been actively acquiring land along Dry Creek;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manager is authorized to use Town of Chapel Hill 1996 and 2003 Open Space bond funds for purchase of 31.27 acres of property located east of Erwin Road and south of I-40, at the price of $1,045,560.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that authorization for this purchase is contingent upon a positive Phase One Environmental Assessment of the site.
This the 10th day of November, 2003.
The Closed Session was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.