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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 13, 2014 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 1 <br />SUBJECT: Southern Branch Library Siting Criteria Update <br />DEPARTMENT: Library, Asset Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />Services (AMS), Planning <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />A. BOCC Approved Southern Library <br />Siting Criteria <br />B. Criteria Report — 120 Brewer Lane <br />C. Presentation: Available at <br />http: / /orangecountync.gov /library /doc <br />uments /BOCCPresentation. pdf <br />PURPOSE: To: <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Lucinda Munger, 919 - 245 -2528 <br />Jeff Thompson, 919 - 245 -2658 <br />Michael Harvey, 919 - 245 -2597 <br />1. Receive an update and provide feedback regarding the 120 Brewer Lane Primary Phase <br />Public Input process and Southern Branch programming report delivered by County staff <br />and Freelon Group Architects of Durham; and <br />2. Provide direction to the Manager with regard to authorizing further due diligence to be <br />performed on the 120 Brewer Lane site for the development of the Southern Branch <br />Library. <br />BACKGROUND: On September 18, 2012 the Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />(BOCC), in conjunction with the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, approved a set of guiding <br />principles and a comprehensive site selection criterion (Attachment A) for locating the new <br />Southern Branch of the Orange County Library (hereafter "the Branch "). Since that time the <br />Town has submitted several properties for review by County staff consistent with the approved <br />Branch siting process. <br />On November 5, 2013 the BOCC authorized staff to continue with a more granular level of <br />Preliminary Phase I analysis regarding the 120 Brewer Lane site. Attachment B summarizes <br />the overall due diligence findings of the site, as framed by the Site Selection Criteria. <br />On January 23, 2014 the Board authorized the engagement of Freelon Associates of Durham, <br />NC to facilitate the Primary Phase Public Input ( "Primary Phase ") for the Brewer Lane site. <br />Freelon Associates began working with the project staff in February 2014. Freelon completed a <br />thorough assessment of library space needs, and developed alternatives based on maximum <br />efficiencies, known statistical information regarding the library and demographic projections. <br />Input from the community, the library staff, Friends group, and the Southern Branch Library <br />project team, was included in the development of this recommendation. <br />