Minutes 03-27-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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transit planning. He said that is how this would work. He said it gets ahead by looking at what the town wants the new development to look like and then allowing the developers to move forward as long as they comply. Mayor Kleinschmidt said their community design commission will have an important role in this project by reviewing any proposed project for its esthetic value, architecture, form and materials. Commissioner Gordon said the predictability could be a good thing, and it is the flip side of conditional zoning. She said people like predictability. She said there is an overall ratio of 85 percent residential development versus 15 percent retail development. She said residential development usually doesn't pay for itself unless the residential units are expensive. Mayor Kleinschmidt said this will be multi-family homes, and no single family homes will be allowed. Commissioner Gordon asked why more commercial development is not being encouraged early on. Mayor Kleinschmidt said the zones will be mixed use zones, except for two that overlay the park area right now. He said these are the only areas with purely residential projects, and these are multi-family. He said the residential area has had projects come through before. He said there are property owners who want this, and it is going to happen. He said everywhere else is mixed use. Commissioner Gordon said she will have to look at the figures. Mayor Kleinschmidt said there are 190 acres. He said there will be 1000 new residential unit, which is 10 times more than Greenbridge, which sits on less than an acre. He said this property is not overrun with residential if you think about it that way. Commissioner Rich said this process started when she was on the council in 2009, so the idea that it has been rushed is false. She said the Board of County Commissioners is just now hearing about the proposed funding of this project, and the models and numbers will have to be examined. She said the County needs to support economic development. She said she was concerned about the schools, and she will look at that information. She said it would be nice to see some affordable housing units here, and she noted that the affordable housing units there now are run down and need re-development. She said she is excited about helping to support the economic development portion of this. Council Member Harrison referred to the questions about the transportation improvements. He said 15-501 has the biggest foot print of any road in Orange County, and any developer that came up with expansions ran into walls with the DOT due to required, high price tag improvements. He said pooling the money and having a comprehensive plan and town owned streets is a more productive approach. He does not agree with every link the in grid, and some of this needs to be discussed. He said the transit system has proved itself to be increasingly adept at adjusting routes, and he feels it is better to do this in the towns rather than with outside consultants. Commissioner Dorosin referred to the point about the County's contribution up to $400,000 or the lesser of 50 percent of the increment. He asked how the town would make up the difference between the tax increment and the debt, if necessary. Kenneth C. Pennoyer said the town has a debt management fund that is used to fund major capital projects, and there is a sufficient balance to make up this amount if needed. He said if these funds are used it would delay other projects, but it is there as a backstop if needed. Commissioner Dorosin asked if this project could still work if the County decided not to participate.