Minutes 04-23-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Margaret Hauth said work on the Bank of America parking lot has begun in the downtown area. She added that hopefully the concrete will be set to allow traffic to go through the lot starting tomorrow. She said the work would be on hold during Mother's Day weekend and the Garden Tour weekend. She said there is ongoing communication with area businesses, trying to coordinate with their schedules as much as possible. Margaret Hauth reviewed the updates from the abstract below: Downtown - Construction will soon begin on a series of parking and street improvements in downtown. The town and NCDOT have coordinated closely with local merchants to fit the construction components around event schedules. The Bank of America parking lot construction will begin as soon as asphalt plants begin working this spring. Work on the west side of Churton Street could begin as soon as May and will start at Tryon Street, working south to Nash and Kollock Street. Work will progress block by block to limit disruptions to merchants and traffic. Resurfacing of the street is expected in either fall 2015 or early 2016, which is when the stamped crosswalks will be installed and work complete. Waterstone —About 50 active permits for houses and townhomes have been issued. The apartment complex should begin construction in the next few months. The developer is finalizing the dedication paperwork for Cates Creek Park and Cates Creek Parkway. The town is not aware of any contracts on other tracts. South Churton & Cornelius Streets — No specific development activity. The town is applying for a technical assistance grant from an economic development firm to assist in the implementation of the Cornelius Street Plan (also see Item 3- c below). Affordable Housing —Two Town Commissioners and two Town Planning Board members are working with staff to develop a local policy to strengthen and formalize the mandated "conversation" about affordable housing during the Special Use Permit process. Margaret Hauth said they are wading in cautiously and carefully as a process for affordable housing is developed for Hillsborough. Commissioner Jacobs mentioned the 1000 housing units that are coming on line and asked for comment regarding a potential additional 700 housing units being considered on the Collins property. He asked if part of Town's strategy was to be overrun. Margaret Hauth said the land is in their jurisdiction and is primed for development. She said Caruso Homes has expressed interest in the Collins property. She said the company has been encouraged to hold a neighborhood meeting prior to submitting a proposal, and that is scheduled for next week. She said if an application is received, it will be shared with the County for review and comments. She said the environmental and economic impact studies have not yet been done, as more information is needed. She said it is understood that this project will be a mixed use development over 137 acres. Commissioner Jacobs said the Collins property would be a great opportunity for economic development. He said it could make up for the lost opportunity of economic development at Waterstone. He said he would hope that the Town would be cautious in entertaining this housing proposal. Eric Hallman said the Town is being cautious, and this is not sprawl. He said there has been a lull while they tried to refine their UDO and better understand growth. Mayor Stevens said caution is well placed. He said the Town is looking for both residential and commercial opportunities. Eric Hallman said for years it has been explained that without the residential component, commercial aspects could not be attracted.