Minutes 03-29-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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governments that the County was going to pay for the 60 acres and preserve it as a natural area. Somehow it is not captured fully in the documents. Commissioner Foushee said that during those discussions, there was a County payment plan discussed for those 60 acres. Council Member Ward said that his sensitivity to economic development has changed over the past 10 years and he does not know what prospects may be out there for this footprint. He would like to explore some portion of the open space. Solid Waste Director Gayle Wilson said that the Neville tract was purchased for dirt cover for the landfill and when the landfill closes, then some soil will be used for the construction of the final cap. Eight acres has been fairly heavily excavated. There is also a considerable amount of aging mulch on the property, probably six or eight feet deep. Orange County Planning Director Craig Benedict said that there was talk about the 18 acres and having some affordable housing or some sort of recreational area that might be attached to the school. Commissioner Gordon said that if they want to change the uses they would need to change the agreement. She said that she does not recall any decision being made concerning a conservation easement on the 60 acres. Chair Pelissier asked when the next school is coming on line. Craig Benedict said that it would be about five years out at this time. This would be Elementary School #12. Commissioner Yuhasz asked if the Chapel Hill Small Area Plan would have to be changed if the uses were changed for this property. Mayor Kleinschmidt said that there is not anything approved for this area, so nothing would have to be changed. Commissioner Foushee said to send the CHCCS Board a letter and let them be prepared to comment on this site. The Clerk will draft a letter to the CHCCS Board. c) Town Update on Rogers Road Small Area Plan This information was on Attachment 2-a. J. B. Culpepper, Planning Director of Chapel Hill, said that in 2007-2008 a task force of local residents met with Town officials and prepared a report that the Council received in 2009. This report was sent out to the advisory boards and in early 2011 the Town Council referred the recommendation of the Rogers Road Task Force to the joint planning partners and asked that a hearing be scheduled. There was a suggestion that the group of elected officials meet to discuss some of the issues that have come up, such as the proposal for a school site on the Greene Tract. There is an elected officials group that will be meeting on April 30tn Chair Pelissier asked that the plan be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners. Craig Benedict said that if there are any changes to the land use, the Planning staffs could plot a timeline to meet some of these proposed guidelines. Mayor Kleinschmidt said that these lines on the map should be read as connecting the neighborhood to other places. They are symbolic of the interest to connect and not paved roads. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he is interested in looking at alternative access and where it would occur and who would pay for it to access a school. Mayor Kleinschmidt said that this is a long-range goal. Commissioner Yuhasz said that they need to resolve these access issues in the short- term rather than the long-term. Council Member Ward said that five years is nothing to set up a school, so he agreed with Commissioner Yuhasz to direct staff to move more explicitly and give them guidance.