Minutes 02-23-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 d) Infrastructure/Utility Issues and Limits; (e.g. water/sewer capacity*, service boundary agreement, annexation of existing neighborhoods*) Waterstone deeded 2.25 acres in the townhome neighborhood to The Community Home Trust for development as affordable townhomes. The Trust has since deeded the property to Habitat for Humanity. The town expects to receive a Special Use Permit modification for its April Public hearing to review the development plans for Habitat to construct 24 senior targeted affordable units on this parcel. Waterstone is also committed to provide $5,000 per affordable unit to the property owner at the time of building permit issuance for each affordable unit. Collins Ridge has committed to the gift of 3 acres to CASA for that organization to develop 60- 88 affordable rental units. The property must be transferred no later than 30 days after receiving the first building permit. Mayor Stevens said he wanted to do a high level overview of the past, as well as looking forward. He said the Town created a strategic plan over 10 years ago, as to how it wanted to see Hillsborough develop, which included the development of housing between downtown and 1-40. He noted the biggest constraint for development is water, followed by the traffic. Mayor Stevens said when Hillsborough did a 2030 plan and revised its Unified Development Ordinances (UDOs), he was impressed by his Town Board's thoughtfulness in planning for development. He said there has been a lot of development that has been approved, but just as much that has not been approved. Mayor Stevens referred to Forest Ridge, and said people raised concerns, to which the Board listened. He said the Town has worked collaboratively with the community and developers. Mayor Stevens said looking forward he knows people are very concerned about explosive growth, and his perspective is that Hillsborough is growing, but at a more reduced rate than people assume. He said there is a lot of growth in the near term, as compared to down the line. He said the Town looks for connectivity, diversity of housing stock, etc. Chair Dorosin asked if details of the water constraint could be provided. Eric Peterson said water analysis studies have been conducted since the late nineties. He said, as of today, the amount of water being used is at 27% of the maximum yield. He said it is at a 36% capacity of a safe yield, coming out of the Eno River at normal times. He said the goal is not to be too conservative or too liberal. He said stage 5 restrictions are used during analyses, and based on a stage 5 situation; the usage is at 44% of average day capacity. He said phase 2 of the reservoir construction will start this summer. He said there is a land use plan connected to the budget, and water usage is conservative. He said the current capacity could be eaten up if the philosophy towards Town development were to change. Commissioner Rich asked if the daily gallon usage could be identified. Eric Peterson said the gallons usage per day is 1.3 mgd. He said the water plan is currently 3 mgd capacity, and will be upgraded in a few years to 4.5 mgd. Eric Peterson said the Town's wastewater treatment plant is the cleanest in the country in terms of nitrogen discharge. He said this was a $20 million plan upgrade. He said water is an easier hurdle to overcome than sewer. Commissioner Jacobs said when Hillsborough and Orange County did the joint plan, a traffic consultant was hired who tried not to direct traffic through Churton Street. He said while compared to other municipalities Hillsborough's growth was small, but the Town's growth from 6,000 to 12,000 is still 100%. He said his concern is that development will impact not only South Churton Street, but also the secondary impacts such as Orange Grove Road, Mayo St.