Agenda - 05-20-2004-4 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i~ commented that he could not imagine committing the Town to a 70-year build-out. He asked the Town staff what approving the master plan would entail. Town Attorney Ralph Karpinos replied that the Council could not approve a 70-year plan, and could only give a vested right under current law for a period of five years. "The Town can only give them approval for a plan that protects them fiom a change in the ordinances," he said. Mr. Karpinos explained that this issue had come up during a previous discussion of this property. There had been some discussion at that time about getting the law changed to allow the Council to give a longer vested right and guarantee, he said. But, Mr. ICarpinos pointed out, "under the current law the Council cannot approve a master plan that would be valid for 70 years and preclude a fuhtre Council from changing the ordinances.." Mr. Waldrop explained that he had never meant to imply that UNC would ask for 70 years of development. I-Ie had thought the Council wanted to have a feel for the overall plan as UNC came forward with individual parts, he said. Council Member Ward noted that the Council had sent a number of questions to UNC in advance of tonight's meeting. Some of those had not been answered at all, he pointed out. Mr. Waldrop offered to provide additional information if someone would let him know which questions had not been answered. Council Member Ward verified that UNC would ask the State to protect some natural areas. He asked to be inforned about what was being proposed so that he could offer suggestions about wildlife corridors and buffers, Mr. Waldrop agreed to arrange that. Council Member- Strom stated that the logical next step seetmed to he to produce a master plan for Chapel Hill Transit.. Then everyone would understand what the key underpinning infrastructure has the potential to be and how much it would cost, he said. Council Member Strom noted that it would take a year or more to create that master plan. Also, blowing the fate of the airport was critical when planning for something of this scale, he said. Council Member Strom described himself as "mystified" over the pace at which Carolina North was being pursued. "Why not wait and do the Chapel Hill transit master plan together, cooperatively create a real vision for the future, and then figure out what kind of capacities and density the community can tolerate at this site rather than guessing at it," he asked. Mr. Waldrop pointed out the Council had heard earlier in the meeting about tluee University projects with immediate needs. There was not unlimited time to start meeting the needs of the University and community, he said Council Member Strom pointed out that everything UNC does at Carolina North must be compatible with their mission ,just as everything the Council approves must be compatible with the Town's capacities and master plan. "It seems like given our charge to protect health and welfare and property values._ .we have to do our Chapel Hill transit master plan," he said.