Minutes 06-14-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regarding removing traffic counts as incorporated under "access", staff is recommending no change from the original. Commissioner Jacobs agreed with Carrboro. He does not see traffic counts as a needed criterion. Commissioner Yuhasz said that the purpose was not to add anything, but to eliminate sites that are not viable. Commissioner Jacobs suggested moving it to Phase 2. Pam Jones said that the traffic count issue could easily become a site capacity issue. Phase 1 and 2 will likely happen without a break. Commissioner Jacobs said that it was ok to leave it. The Board agreed to leave the traffic count where it is. Chair Pelissier pointed out the next difference, under Phase 1, #2 and "space for building on-site parking" as recommended by the Aldermen. Staff is recommending no change. Commissioner Jacobs suggested making reference to the fact that there will be a library strategic plan. The Board agreed. Commissioner Hemminger said that she would like to stay with the staff recommendation, but expand it to let Carrboro know that this is not just an urban library and they need to plan for all types of residents using this library. She wants to put this in writing. Chair Pelissier said that the aging population is going to double in the next twenty years and they may be driving and/or driven in to the library. Frank Clifton said that the reality is that people do drive to the libraries and there needs to be parking. Chair Pelissier made reference to space for future expansion where the Aldermen wanted clarification on that issue. Frank Clifton said that there has been conversation about how big the library should be. It was narrowed down to a 20,000 square foot one-level footprint. Part of that is a community meeting room. Commissioner McKee asked if the library could be designed so that the books and computers are on the first floor and the meeting room would be on the second floor. Frank Clifton said that the problem is that all of the life safety issues would still have to be addressed. Commissioner Jacobs said that the County should not be promising a 20,000 square foot library in Carrboro. The Central Library in Hillsborough is a little over 20,000 square feet. He suggested leaving it clear that there will be room to expand, without setting up an expectation of 20,000 square feet. He does not think it is the intention to build a library as large as the Central Library in Carrboro. Commissioner Yuhasz suggested phrasing it "up to 20,000 square feet" so that there is not an expectation. Chair Pelissier said that the next item is accessibility for public transportation, Item 3. The Aldermen want the library to be on the existing Chapel Hill Transit route. She has already heard comments that the County Commissioners do not want it limited to the existing route. If there is a library, then Chapel Hill Transit could put it on the route later. Commissioner McKee suggested staying with the staff recommendation of accessibility to public transportation. If the site is on the route, that is good, but if it is not, then it needs to be brought onto the route. The Board agreed to no changes on accessibility.