Agenda - 02-21-2012-13 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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In addition and possibly more relevant, it appears the Town's parking regulations present a significant hurdle to the proposed uses envisioned by the non - profit group's efforts to develop a cultural center. The activities and participation generation sought by the non - profit and currently available parking spaces are in conflict and prevent occupancy as envisioned by the group. Suggestions to reduce County related activities or convert existing recreational fields into parking areas does not seem to mesh with the County's continued use of the facility and /or the visions held by the cultural center supporters. (Note: This effort initially gained financial support from the Town. If parking restrictions severely limit or eliminate most of the intended uses proposed in conceptual plans for the development of a cultural center at the Whitted site then the agreement between the Town and County is moot.) FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS —A possible alternative Assuming that the Town and County'might' (in some agreeable manner) find a way to either mitigate or overcome the hurdle presented by the Town's parking regulations, there may be a method to address several community needs while addressing a continuing County need. (The following example is offered as an option and not aimed settle all elements of the issues discussed, but rather to stake out how the County, Town and non - profit might move forward to address common interests.) A. The County has a planned enhancement to the Link Center to construct a fixed meeting space for the BOCC and other community meeting needs including Orange County Schools along with the Town of Hillsborough. That project, although designed is on hold due primarily to the associated cost of upgrading restrooms to meet code requirements for large public gatherings. B. That project could be shifted to the Whitted Building former library space and accommodate many of the previous needs for public meeting space along with most of the activities imagined by the non - profit cultural center group. (We have discussed with the group's organizers this possibility and found them acceptable to pursuing the concept.) C. Shifting the public meeting facility (and associated expense) to the Whitted Building allows basic enhancements to move forward that would (with additional contributions by the nonprofit for up fits) allow multiple private and public uses of the former library space. The County's Tourism Staff prepared a brief report (Attachment 2) which outlines some uses /users and highlights how they might be involved in marketing the space. (The Town and County must still address the parking issues if any of the proposed uses outlined above are to move forward.) D. If this project moves forward, the County would have options it could choose associated with the Annex Building next to the Link Center. That building now houses only the Board of Elections (4 employees and equipment storage). Those functions could be relocated to former space in the Link Center planned for the meeting room. The area has ample space to accommodate all of their needs. Modifications to the building would be less expensive than the meeting space. Restrooms would not require the same upgrades as the meeting space option. E. If we proceed as proposed in D above, we could decide on how to deal with the Annex Building. (1) An option may be to deconstruct the building. If done, this option would assist in addressing parking issues with the Town in two manners. One the reduction in building floor space would reduce parking demand (town rules are based on building square footage). The 1968 building has one usable floor (main), some attic storage and a lower level that sits below flood level.