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7 <br /> Mayor Stevens said the Town is committed to a commercial base, and is concerned <br /> about keeping what already exists, while increasing it. He listed different areas around Town. <br /> All needed NCDOT approvals are finally in-hand for the downtown access project. The Town <br /> has a contractor and is finalizing the contract details so that work can begin when weather <br /> allows. The east side work adjacent to the courthouse will be done first, and then work will <br /> move to Tryon Street and move south. Staff expect to hold a public information meeting very <br /> soon to keep the merchants involved. There is also an email list for merchants and other to <br /> receive regular updates. Work will continue through the summer. Once the sidewalk work is <br /> completed, NCDOT will have to schedule resurfacing of Churton Street. Once that is <br /> scheduled and complete, the stamped crosswalk improvements will be the final step. <br /> Stephanie Trueblood is the primary contact for this project and all communications with <br /> merchants and the public will route through her. <br /> Orange County, in conjunction with Town of Hillsborough Planning, has amended land uses <br /> and zoning within the Hillsborough Area Economic Development District. This area is under <br /> County planning jurisdiction but subject to the coordinated planning agreement. An interlocal <br /> utility agreement that will set forth utility extension provisions if installed or paid by the county <br /> is under review by joint staffs. <br /> This agreement is intended to focus and facilitate future economic development by <br /> preinstalling infrastructure under 1-40 which often is a critical decision point for site selection. <br /> Monies have been budgeted for primarily sewer extensions but a partnership with the Town of <br /> Hillsborough for a water main loop outside of the EDD could augment pressures in the larger <br /> zone. Orange County will be advertising a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering <br /> design services for this Capital Investment Plan (CIP) project in the coming weeks including <br /> Town of Hillsborough participation. <br /> A 271 acre development proposal was submitted for the southeast and southwest quadrant of <br /> 1-40 using a conditional zoning district. The majority of the project is planned for light <br /> industrial/research and commercial/retail/service with a component of senior housing. This is <br /> under sufficiency review by staff and will be shared with the Town of Hillsborough consistent <br /> with the joint courtesy review agreement. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is glad the County and the Town are working together on <br /> the water and sewer around the Hillsborough Economic Development District (EDD). <br /> Commissioner Jacobs asked if Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats <br /> (SWOT) analysis of the EDDs included the Cornelius Road Area. <br /> Steve Brantley, Orange County Economic Development Director, said they have put <br /> out to bid for consultants, and will get a review of these properties around the 1-40 exchange <br /> during the spring and the summer. He said it would be simple to add some additional <br /> properties for review. <br /> Commissioner Lowen asked if this area can be added, and if it would be a targeted <br /> district. <br /> Steve Brantley said the targeted regions were put in the RFP, and did not include the <br /> Cornelius area; but once a consultant is hired it would be possible to add this area and others. <br /> He said the goal is to focus on the properties that have the potential to attract non-residential <br /> development. <br />