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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No r/-$ <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 17, 1995 <br /> SUBJECT: Transfer of County Owned Property to Town of Chapel Hill for <br /> Affordable Housing <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> DEPARTMENT County Manager PUBLIC HEARING YES NO X <br /> -------------------------------- ------------------------------- <br /> ATTACHMENT(S) INFORMATION CONTACT <br /> Resolution Rod Visser, ext 2300 <br /> Property Map TELEPHONE NUMBER <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> PURPOSE: To consider adopting a resolution that would authorize staff <br /> to pursue a process that would result in the transfer of a small parcel <br /> of property to the Town of Chapel Hill for affordable housing uses. <br /> BACKGROUND: in 1977, the County obtained by tax foreclosure a small <br /> parcel of land on Scarlette Drive in Chapel Hill (Tax Reference Number <br /> 7 . 27A.B.7 ) . This property measures roughly 25 by 275 feet and is <br /> immediately adjacent to the Chapel Hill Cemetery and another parcel <br /> owned by the Town that is slightly smaller than one acre in size. The <br /> approximate tax value of the County owned parcel is $3 , 000 . In its <br /> present configuration, the parcel is of no practical use to the County. <br /> County and Town staff have had informal discussions about the <br /> possibility of conveying the property to the Town of Chapel Hill for <br /> use in an affordable housing demonstration project. Chapel Hill Town <br /> staff have discussed with Orange Community Housing Corporation the <br /> prospects for building a number of small starter homes on their parcel . <br /> If the County and Town parcels were combined, producing a resulting lot <br /> of about 1 .2 acres, Town staff indicates that it is possible that 6 to <br /> 8 homes of 900-1000 square feet, either attached or detached, could be <br /> built on small lots subdivided from the larger parcel . Preliminary <br /> discussions suggest that the target population would be individuals <br /> earning from 500-80% of median income. <br /> If the County wishes to convey this property to the Town, it can do so <br /> without going through the normal public auction process of advertising <br /> for upset bids. The County Attorney could prepare the appropriate <br /> agreement outlining the terms and conditions under which the County <br /> would convey the property to the Town. Assuming the Town agrees to use <br /> the property for affordable housing purposes, the Manager suggests that <br /> the property transfer be accomplished for nominal consideration. If <br /> the Board wants to pursue this arrangement, a formal written agreement <br /> would be prepared for future consideration by the Board. <br /> RECOMMENDATION.: The Manager recommends that the Board approve the <br /> attached resolution. <br />