Agenda - 06-02-2015 - 8a - Laserfiche WebLink

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of 2. BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF SITE This Implementation Report has been prepared as part of a continuing series of initiatives aimed at increasing the capacity of Orange County to provide services to residents of the southern portion of the county. The report will review existing circumstances and plans, offer more specific details about development possibilities, suggest a phasing plan for development of the site, and suggest next steps for implementation. Orange County owns a 34 -acre parcel of land on the south side of Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. Located at 2551 Homestead Road, this site is the current location for the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center, the Southern Human Services Center, and Project HomeStart. There is currently a total of 61,750 square feet of floor area in buildings on the site, served by 258 parking spaces. In an effort to prepare for the public service needs of future residents in the southern portion of Orange County, the County developed a long -range Master Plan for this Southern Orange County Government Services Campus. The campus provides ample opportunities for future development of government services that can serve citizens in southern Orange County. Multiple facilities can be easily located within one convenient and cohesively designed campus. The site is served by public transportation, and is located adjacent to future centers of activity (i.e., Carolina North), creating opportunities for increasing access to public services via alternative modes of transportation — on foot and by bike. The Master Plan that was prepared and approved for this property includes a general, long -range site plan that provides guidance for development of government service facilities over a 25 year planning timeline. The intent of the Master Plan is to provide a general framework for future development that is flexible to new planning and design innovations that will arise over the course of campus development. The Master Plan consists of: (1) a map that identifies areas for future development and areas that should remain undisturbed, and (2) a set of design guidelines that will guide future development actions on this site. A copy of the Master Plan is included here as Appendix 1. Key planning objectives of the Master Plan include: • Coordinate locations of development and public services • Support non - automobile modes of travel • Protect rural lands, and promote clustered, walkable developments • Provide efficient and fiscally responsible public facilities • Protect natural resources and promote sustainable development • Foster compact communities and hubs of activity Subsequent to preparation of this Master Plan, Orange County applied to the Town of Chapel Hill for a Special Use Permit to authorize additional development of facilities on the site. A copy of the approved Special Use Permit is included here as Appendix 2. Southern Orange County Government Services Campus I Implementation Report Page 2