Agenda - 02-02-2016 -13-4 - Information Item - Update on Southern Branch Library Due Diligence and Siting Process

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INFORMATION ITEM 1 NEE ININNIN NINV 1101101101101101101101" 00000 NINONNINVNIVINV 0000 11I 1� 10 00 llll� ��y U�II � w MEMORANDUM Date: February 2, 2016 To: Board of Orange County Commissioners From: Bonnie Hammersley, Orange County Manager Subject: Update on Southern Branch Library Due Diligence and Siting Process The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC)regarding the ongoing and collaborative Southern Branch Library site due diligence. In late 2015, the Board may recall authorizing the County and Carrboro Town Manager to discuss a mutually beneficial site control arrangement for the Carrboro owned 203 S. Greensboro site. The BOCC also authorized the County Manager and staff to continue preliminary phase due diligence with regard to the site. Over the past several weeks, the Managers and staff have worked closely together on the project and have established an understanding on the following points and principals with regard to this promising site: 1. The site is best suited to continue to be owned by the Town of Carrboro with the County as a property right holder for a Southern Branch Library. This arrangement provides the control likely desired by Carrboro for current and future development while allowing the County to potentially build a 15,000 gross square foot Branch Library with associated parking. This arrangement also provides a more efficient development process under the Town development ordinance since the Town would continue to maintain ownership. 2. The Carrboro land use ordinance allows for a much larger building project in excess of the needs of the contemplated Southern Branch Library. This condition allows a simultaneous or future development of additional uses on the site that are mutually desirable by the Town and County. The Carrboro Board of Aldermen (BOA) has authorized the Town Manager to engage in a comprehensive town facilities space study. This study will inform the BOA of any potential need for town facilities to be co-located with the library on the 203 S. Greensboro site.