Agenda - 05-05-1997 - 9b - Laserfiche WebLink

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46 The attached letter from Tom Horne raised the issue of how development of the newly- added parcels would be affected by application of the 100-foot buffer required around the perimeter of an EDD. Purpose of Buffer The purpose of the perimeter buffer is to minimize impacts on adjacent uses. Application of the perimeter buffer where two Economic Development Districts abut does not serve the purpose of separating incompatible uses, since similar uses would be allowed in both districts. The buffer is of particular concern when applied to the west side of Old NC 86 due to the shallow depth of the lots. Design Issues Related to I-40/01d NC 86 EDD Concerns regarding strip development, entranceway appearance, open space and traffic along Old NC 86 were considered during the approval process for the Economic Development Districts and the Design Manual. The EDD Design Manual identifies how much open space will result through the provision of buffers and/or the preservation of environmental features such as floodplains, steep slopes, etc. In the I-40/Old N.C. 86 EDD, approximately 29%of the land area shown on the Schematic Plan is open space. This amount does not include additional open space required to satisfy landscape, building, and site volume ratios. As an example,the case study site presented in the Design Manual is located on the west side of Old N.C. 86 just south of Cates Creek. Approximately 50%of the 1.80-acre site is occupied by flood plain and a natural area, and only 25%is covered with impervious surface; e.g., buildings,parking areas,and sidewalks. The EDD Design Manual identifies the ultimate cross-section for the widening of Old N.C. 86. A four-lane thoroughfare is to be provided with a 25-foot landscaped median.. Breaks in the median will only be permitted where designated connector streets serving the EDD intersect with Old N.C. 86. In addition to the thoroughfare improvements,the outside lane on each side is to be widened from 12 to 16 feet to provide a bike lane, and a six-foot sidewalk is to be provided on each side of the street. All improvements would be located within a 100-foot right-of-way, and property owners would be expected to provide an additional 20 feet of right-of-way for the widening project. The EDD Design Manual prohibits manufacturing and wholesale trade in the area north of Cates Creek, and retail trade is allowed only with approval of a Special Use Permit by the Board of Commissioners. Hours of operation for establishments within the area are limited from 6:00 a.m.to 11:00 p.m. The EDD Design Manual requires all buildings to be set back a distance of 25 feet from front, side, and rear property lines, and only off-street parking may extend to within 10 feet of a property line. In the case of the front yard, the 25-foot setback must be provided