Minutes 02-25-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Margaret Hauth said the School Board is able to discuss redistricting at any time and is aware of the Town's approved developments. Margaret Hauth said the Orange County staff is involved in the Town's planning and inspections process, and there is ongoing communication. Margaret Hauth said the Town has been seeking another north-south traffic alternative to Churton Street for years but has yet to reach a consensus on a route. Commissioner Jacobs asked Bonnie Hammersley if she has had any communication with the school system about capacity issues. Bonnie Hammersley said staff is in the process of the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and have had conversations with both school systems. She said OCS does have concerns about upcoming development and capacity, especially within the five year capacity of the CIP, and that the Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (SAPFO) does not project out for development. Commissioner Jacobs suggested that the managers, superintendents, and planning staff meet to discuss if there is a need for a school in the proposed Collins Ridge development. Commissioner Jacobs said years ago the issue of redistricting came up with OCS and it may need to be re-visited. Commissioner Burroughs said these comments should be shared at the next joint school boards meeting. She said SAPFO has worked in Chapel Hill in some developments, and she would be opposed to building a new school if there is available capacity in other schools. Commissioner Weaver asked if OCS have capacity concerns about the Collins development solely, or concerns in general. Bonnie Hammersley said her conversation with the OCS Superintendent indicated that the concern stems from the Collins Ridge development. Chair McKee respectfully reminded the Town Board that, unless these homes are very expensive, residential development is not a win for Orange County. He said commercial development is positive. He said Collins Ridge is a concern for him, as there is not currently sufficient commercial development to offset the residential development. He said there must be emphasis placed on commercial development within projects moving forward. Mayor Stevens said the Town is trying to balance residential and commercial development, and is looking at development comprehensively. Commissioner Jacobs referred to the October 15, 2015 Hillsborough Planning Board Agenda, which stated Collins Ridge is proposing 46 affordable housing units out of 1150. He asked if this number is still accurate. Margaret Hauth said there will be 950 units, with 88 being affordable rental units on three acres of land, which will be given to CASA. Commissioner Jacobs said this is less than 10%, and noted Chapel Hill's is 15%. He asked if the developers have offered to enlarge the community center. Margaret Hauth said the community center is available only to the residents, but the developers have offered two acres of land for a public park space. Commissioner Jacobs said Waterstone Drive could be labeled as an east west bypass/connection. He said as commercial properties are developed on this road, he hopes that an access road behind the businesses would be considered. Commissioner Rich said she is concerned about water capacity and asked if there is enough water for the new developments. She also asked if there is a plan to deal with the existing older infrastructure. Mayor Stevens said water is a conundrum and capacity is being monitored. He said there is an aggressive replacement schedule for the Town's infrastructure.