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~_ -~ _; MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COIK,MISSIONERS DECEMBER 8, 1977 On Thursday, December 8, 1977, at approximately 8:45 p,m., members of the Orange County Board of Commissioners met with residents of the Northside School area to discuss the total development of the Northside School pro- . perty, and more particularly to discuss the proposed construction of an administration building for the Chapel Hill Housing Authority on the site. Members of the Board present were Chairman Richard Whitted, and Commis- , sioner Norman Gustaveson. Members absent were Commissioners Jan Pinney, Norman Walker and Danald Willhoit. These members were absent due to previous commitments. Others present were Edwin Caldwell, a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro~ 5chool Board, Alvin Stevenson, Director of the Chapel Hi11 Housing Authority, John McAdams, architect with Rose,.Pridgen and Freemon, Joe Nassif, architect' presently employed by the County to do design work on the Grady Brown build- . ings, S. M. Gatos, County Manager, Nea'1 Evans, Finance Director, Agatha Johnson, Clerk to the Board and people from the Northside 5chool area inte- rested in the Northside project. Chairman Whitted opened the meeting by providing history of the nine acre tract of ].and. He stated the County acquired the property from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education. The Orange--Person-Chatham Mental Health Center has received a grant from the State, which requires a 25 per- cent match from the County, and this money is being used now for the con- struction of a Mental Health Center on a portion of the property. He stated that last summer, the Chapel Hill Housing Authority also received a grant from HUb to construct an administration building and one site on the property has been identified for this construction. With the building of the Mental Health Center, a Special Use Permit was required by the Chapel Hill Planning bepartment. Should the Housing Authority locate an the proposed site, a modification .of the Special Use Permis it necessary. Prior to the Housing Authority approaching the Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen and requesting this modification, the County Commissioners felt the project should be presented to the area people for their input. This is the reason for the meeting to- night. Chairman Witted asked Al Stevenson, Director of the Housing Authority to speak of his housing programs. Mr, Stevenson stated his organization was involved in several programs in.Chapel Hi11, Carrbvro and the County. The programs are continuing to ~ steadily grow and there is a need to centralize all staff activities. Presently there is a staff of approximately 18 people, It is proposed that the Chapel Hill Human Services Department also go into the building. Mx. Stevenson asked John McAdams, Architect, to comment on the proposed building. Mr. McAdams presented to those present drawings of the proposed site. and a drawing of the proposed building. He stated the drawings showed plans tp construct a driveway off of Caldwell Street Extension and aligh the drive- way with where Caldwell Street will actually be someday (1980). Mr. McAdams added the trees would remain on the site, and the building will be resid- ential in character and from the back will be two stories. The structure will contain 2,000 square feet on each floor. The parking lot and the driveway will be paved. The Chairman then asked if those present had any questions regarding the administrative building for the Chapel Hill Housing Authority. Points which were brought out in the discussion are: 1. Residents of the Northside area should get an understanding from the Town of Chapel Hill that when Caldwell Street is reconstructed the street should be widened. 2. Attractive walkways leading to and from the Northside complex should be constructed to enhance the area.