Agenda - 12-05-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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3 1 expensive for the locals to purchase or lease, and this site provides affordable small business 2 space. 3 4 Alderman Slade echoed Alderman Gist's sentiments. He said this project also serves as 5 a counterpoint to how economic development has always been done, and this is a way to 6 support home grown, locally owned businesses, as opposed to bigger or national businesses. 7 He encouraged the County to help support this type of economic development. 8 Alderman Haven O'Donnell said she agreed with both Aldermen. She said Carrboro has 9 always been a service-oriented economy. She said locals have to flee to outside areas, 10 because they cannot afford downtown Carrboro. 11 Commissioner Dorosin said this is an exciting proposal. 12 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the map at the Commissioners' places, and said 13 there is water and sewer going north of this site. He asked if it is known how far these lines go. 14 Trish McGuire said the water line goes to Hillsborough, and the sewer line goes up to 15 Morris Grove Elementary School. 16 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the proposed commercial park, which would be home 17 to businesses with little traffic, other than employees. He said Old Highway 86 has traffic 18 anyway, and he would not feel as constrained with expanding economic development in this 19 area, as he might in others. 20 Commissioner Dorosin referred to the house in the area, which is intended for 21 preservation, and asked if the condition of it is known. 22 Trish McGuire said it is still in good enough condition that it could be renovated, but it 23 has not been occupied for a number of years. 24 Alderman Seils said there are other things occurring in that general area that is allowing 25 for some commercial development. He asked if Trish McGuire could explain what kind of re- 26 zoning would have been required if a public works facility had been pursued on this property. 27 Trish McGuire said public works is a Town owned and operated facility, and is a 28 permissible use in the RR zoning district. She said she is fairly certain this would not require 29 any rezoning. 30 Alderman Seils asked if rezoning would be required for something like the proposed 31 commercial park. 32 Trish McGuire said one of the zoning districts that was created for the northern study 33 area plan implementation is an office assembly zoning district. She said up to 10% could be 34 retail, but it is intended as a light manufacturing and office type of use. 35 Commissioner Rich asked if this piece of property is now part of Carrboro, or does it 36 have to be annexed. 37 Trish McGuire said it is not in the Town limits at the present time, but it is in the Town's 38 planning jurisdiction and the Town would expect annexation. 39 Commissioner Pelissier asked if details have been fleshed out as to how to make, and 40 keep, this flex space affordable. 41 Trish McGuire said this information can be provided to the Board. 42 Commissioner Pelissier asked if the types of light manufacturing that would be allowed 43 there have been discussed. 44 Mayor Lavelle said a general discussion has occurred. She said an artisan component 45 has been suggested for this project as well. She said this will be fleshed out with the RFP. 46 Commissioner Jacobs said he applauded this idea, but he has some concerns regarding 47 land use and cost benefit. He said a long-range plan for this area has not been presented. He 48 said the described proposal may not warrant water and sewer, and spending $1 million of 49 County funds to provide it to this project may not be necessary. He said if water and sewer 50 were to be provided, it would open the gates to all kinds of other development. He would like