Cary Town Council Meeting Minutes

Thursday, September 28, 2006

6:30 p.m.

Council Chambers

316 N. Academy Street, Cary, N.C.

Web Site:  www.townofcary.org

 

 

Present: Mayor Ernie McAlister, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith, Council Members Marla Dorrel, Julie Robison and Nels Roseland; Council Member Jennifer Robinson arrived late, and her arrival time is noted in the minutes.

 

A.   COMMENCEMENT

 

1.    Call to Order (Mayor McAlister)

 

Mayor McAlister called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

_________________________

 

2.    Ceremonial Opening (Mrs. Robison)

 

Mrs. Robison provided the ceremonial opening.

 

_________________________

 

3.   Adoption of agenda (Town Council)

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Mr. Roseland provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval. (Mrs. Robinson was absent for this vote.)

 

_________________________

 

B.   CONSENT AGENDA

 

1.   Consideration of approval of the minutes of the regular town council meeting held on September 14, 2006 and the minutes of the town council vacancy work session held on September 12, 2006. (Town Council)

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Mr. Roseland provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval. (Mrs. Robinson was absent for this vote.)

 

_________________________

 

2.   Consideration of approval of the September 2006 tax report. (Mr. Bill Coleman)

 

September 8, 2006

 

The Wake County Board of Commissioners, in regular session on September 7, 2006, approved and accepted the enclosed tax report for the Town of Cary.

 

It is hereby submitted for your approval.

 

Refunds of taxes, interest and penalties

$0

Relief of late list penalty

0

Relief of late filed application

0

Non-cash rebates

293

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Mr. Roseland provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval. (Mrs. Robinson was absent for this vote.)

 

_________________________

 

3.   Consideration of approval of a certificate of sufficiency and a resolution calling for a public hearing on citizen-initiated annexation 06-A-33. This property is located at 818 Reedy Creek Road and contains 6.82 acres. The associated development plan is 06-SB-016 (The Bower). (Mr. Ricky Barker)

 

Annexation Petition Number:   06-A-33
Property Address:   818 Reedy Creek Road
Wake County Parcel Number:  0764980203
Real ID Number:   0082621
Petition Date:   8/22/2006               
Proposed Effective Date:   10/26/2006

OWNERS:
818 Reedy Creek LLC
1025 Fifth Avenue, Apartment 8DS
New York , NY 10028

 

LOCATION:   1,440' north of NE Maynard Road and Reedy Creek Road

ZONING & PROPOSED USE:
Current Zoning:   Residential-12 Conditional Use (R-12CU)
Acreage:   6.13 plus .69 adjacent right of way =  6.82 total acres
% Contiguity:   55.6%                    
Contiguous to Corporate Limits:   Yes     
Proposed Use:   Residential Subdivision
Associated Rezoning Case:    None
Associated Development Plan:   06-SB-016 (The Bower)  

 

UTILITIES:
Water:    On Site    
Sewer:   8" PVC 160' north                    

DISTRICTS & TAX VALUE:
Fire District:   Western Wake                                        
Voting District:  B
Tax Value:    $299,226

 

MEETINGS:
Town Council – Certificate of Sufficiency and Resolution Ordering Public Hearing:  
9/28/2006
Staff Recommendation:    Forward to public hearing on
10/26/2006
  

 

The documents that Council will consider for adoption at this meeting follow:

 

06-A-33                                                                         (818 REEDY CREEK LLC)

 

CERTIFICATE OF SUFFICIENCY OF ANNEXATION PETITION  

I, the undersigned Town Clerk of the Town of Cary , do hereby certify that I have investigated the sufficiency of Annexation Petition of

818 Reedy Creek LLC;
Wake County Parcel Identification #0764980203;
6.13 acres plus
±
acres of adjacent right-of-way;

as directed by the Town Council by resolution, and that my investigation reveals the following:

1.       The signers of the Petition are the owners of the real property within the area proposed for annexation 

2.       The area is contiguous to the municipal boundaries of the Town of Cary as defined by G.S. 160A-31, or is  appropriate for annexation as a noncontiguous area as defined by 160A-58.

This 9/28/2006.

 

06-A-33                                                                         (818 REEDY CREEK LLC)

 

RESOLUTION ORDERING PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE QUESTION OF ANNEXATION PURSUANT TO G.S. 160A-31

 

WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Cary has received an annexation petition of

818 Reedy Creek LLC

 

Wake County Parcel Identification #0764980203;
6.13 acres plus
± acres of adjacent right-of-way;

 

requesting the annexation of certain lands contiguous to the municipal boundaries of the Town of Cary ; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town Clerk has certified to the Town Council the sufficiency of said Petition as required by law;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Cary , North Carolina that:

 

Section I. A public hearing on the question of annexation of the area described herein will be held in the Council Chamber of the Town of Cary , 316 N. Academy Street , Cary , N.C. at 6:30 p.m. on 10/26/2006 .

 

Section 2. The area proposed for annexation is described as follows:  

LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Wake County Parcel Identification #0764980203

 

Section 3. Notice of the public hearing shall be published in the Cary News, a newspaper having general circulation in the Town of Cary , at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the public hearing.

 

ADOPTED 9/28/2006.

 

ACTION: Mayor Pro Tem Smith moved to approve the consent agenda in its entirety. Mr. Roseland provided the second, and council granted unanimous approval. (Mrs. Robinson was absent for this vote.)

 

(Resolution is also on file in the town clerk’s office.)

 

_________________________

 

4.   Consideration of correction of typographical errors associated with the datasheet for Rezoning 06-REZ-11 (Cary Creek) and ordinance amending zoning map, which was adopted on July 27, 2006, by ratifying the corrected datasheet and ordinance attached hereto. (Mr. Scott Ramage)

 

06-REZ-11 Cary Creek Property Rezoning

Revised Staff Report to Town Council

 

This staff report and Ordinance corrects a typographical error discovered in the rezoning staff report for this case that was approved by Town Council at its regular meeting on July 27, 2006.  The staff report for July 27 correctly noted that no changes had occurred subsequent to Planning and Zoning Board action on July 17, 2006.  However, that report inadvertently added two additional uses to the list of excluded uses for the GC-CU district and three additional uses to the list of excluded uses for ORD-CU districts in the report and its Ordinance text.  Both the GC-CU and ORD-CU districts inadvertently included “veterinary hospital/office with outdoor kennel” and “kennel, indoor/outdoor” in the list of excluded uses.  In addition, the ORD-CU districts inadvertently added “towing and vehicle storage” to the lists of excluded uses.

 

The applicant never proposed to exclude those uses as part of their case application, and hence the Council action and Ordinance needs to be corrected.  This staff report and Ordinance removes those uses from the lists of excluded uses.

 

Case Background Information

 

Existing Zoning, Base Districts:  General Commercial Conditional Use (GC-CU), Office, Research, and Development Conditional Use (ORD-CU), Residential Multi-Family Conditional Use (RMF-CU)

 

Existing Zoning, Overlay Districts:  Regional Activity Center Overlay District with associated Alston Regional Activity Center Concept Plan; Jordan Lake Watershed Overlay District

 

Requested Zoning - Base Districts:  Same districts with changes to conditions 


Requested Zoning - Overlay Districts:  No change

 

Acreage:  Approximately 92.11

 

Location:  Alston Avenue near the intersection with NC Highway 55

 

Applicant:

Joe Dye

American Asset Corporation

8010 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 114

Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 821-2700

jdyeaacusa.com

 

Applicant’s Contact:

Travis Morehead

Elam, Todd, d'Ambrosi-ETD, PA

2880 Slater Road Suite 200

Morrisville, NC 27560

tmorehead@etdpa.com

 

Town of Cary Case Manager: 

Scott Ramage, Principal Planner

316 N. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27513

(919) 462-3888

scott.ramage@townofcary.org

 

Rezoning Application Details

 

A.  Nature of the Rezoning Request:

The rezoning request affects two properties, one having 87.7 acres, and one having 4.34 acres.  The 87.7-acre property (Real Estate ID 0319337) is currently split-zoned between three different conditional use zoning districts:  General Commercial Conditional Use (GC-CU) covering the northern 26.9 acres, Office, Research, and Development Conditional Use (ORD-CU) covering the central 23.7 acres, and Residential Multi-Family Conditional Use (RMF-CU) covering the southern 37.2 acres.  The 4.3-acre property (Real Estate ID 0082438) is currently zoned Office, Research, and Development Conditional Use (ORD-CU).

 

The applicant requests to amend the zoning conditions in order to remove conflicts between the existing conditions and the requirements and specifications of the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan, approved under the Regional Activity Center Overlay District, so that future site plans submitted for the parcels can fully conform with the design guidelines and requirements of the Alston Concept Plan.

 

B.  Existing and Proposed GC-CU District Conditions (Real I.D. 319337):

 (Existing conditions were established in 1987 by case Z-434-87-2)

 

Existing Conditions

Proposed Conditions

1.                   Prohibited Uses: 

·                     auto sales,

·                     auto repairs and storage,

·                     auto wash,

·                     bottling establishments,

·                     tire recapping and retreading,

·                     Venetian blind manufacturing

Prohibited Uses:

·                                           Group living

·                                           Cemetery

·                                           Hospital

·                                           Athletic field, public

·                                           Utility facility, major

·                                           transportation facility (except transit stations)

·                                           kennel, indoor/outdoor

·                                           veterinary hospital/office, with outdoor kennel

·                                           golf driving range

·                                           auto sales

·                                           warehouse and freight movement

 

2.                   No free standing convenience stores

(removed)

3.                   All architecture (both B-2 districts) including outparcels will be compatible and coordinated.

(removed)

4.                   All signage (both B-2 districts) will be compatible and coordinated.

(removed)

5.                   All outparcels will have inward oriented access.

(removed)

6.                   Auto access will be limited to one main entry on NC 55; other entry driveways will be off street from NC 55.

(removed)

 

C.  Existing and Proposed ORD-CU District Conditions (Real I.D. 0319337): (conditions established in 1987 by case Z-434-87-2):

 

Existing Conditions

Proposed Conditions

1.                   All of the special uses allowed under [1987 Zoning Ordinance section] 40.1 (e) (5) (A) would be prohibited including:

MANUFACTURING –

·                                           Fertilizing plants

·                                           chemical plants

·                                           meat packing plants, slaughter houses

·                                           copper works

·                                           enameling, lacquering or the plating of galvanized metals

·                                           foundries for iron and steel

·                                           oxygen manufacturing

·                                           poultry dressing

·                                           railroad freight yards

·                                           repair and manufacturing

·                                           soap detergent and washing compound

·                                           stonecutting

·                                           refineries

·                                           nuclear and hazardous waste storage

·                                           natural gas storage

·                                           nuclear plants.

Prohibited Uses:

·                                           Group living

·                                           Cemetery

·                                           Hospital

·                                           Athletic field, public

·                                           Utility facility, major

·                                           transportation facility (except transit stations)

·                                           kennel, indoor/outdoor

·                                           veterinary hospital/office, with outdoor kennel

·                                           athletic field, private

·                                           golf driving range

·                                           outdoor amphitheater, commercial

·                                           auto sales

·                                           towing and vehicle storage

·                                           vehicle repair, heavy

·                                           industrial service uses

·                                           manufacturing and production uses

·                                           warehouse and freight movement uses

2.                   25' buffer around edge of proposed lake (if lake is feasible).

(removed)

3.                   Building footprint limited to 40% coverage of each parcel.

(removed)

4.                   All building exteriors are to be compatible and coordinated.

(removed)

 

D.  Existing and Proposed RMF-CU District Conditions (Real I.D. 0319337): (conditions established in 2003 by case 03-REZ-06):

 

Existing Conditions

Proposed Conditions

1.                   Maximum of 350 units.

Maximum of 350 units under the base zoning, however future development plans submitted under an approved Activity Center Concept Plan (ACCP) may exceed the maximum residential densities and unit counts specified, up to the maximums permitted under the ACCP.

 

E.  Existing and Proposed ORD-CU District Conditions (Real ID 0082438): (conditions established in 2001 by case 01-REZ-08):

 

Existing Conditions

Proposed Conditions

1.                   An undisturbed 100-foot Type A Buffer will be provided adjacent to the property to the south 0735.01-47-8579 (Sears).

(removed)

2.                   Medical office use will be limited to a maximum of 27,000 square feet of floor area.

(removed)

3.                   Daycare use will be limited to a maximum of 7,000 square feet of floor area.

(removed)

4.                   A joint access easement will be recorded along the entire length (500’ +/-) of the leg of the flag lot, centered on the Tarlton property, to serve the adjacent parcel south of the Tarlton property (PIN 0735582204), and the adjacent property to the north of the Tarlton property (PIN 07354866880).

(removed)

5.                   Prohibited Uses:  none.

Prohibited Uses:

·                                             Group living

·                                             Cemetery

·                                             Hospital

·                                             Athletic field, public

·                                             Utility facility, major

·                                             transportation facility (except transit stations)

·                                             kennel, indoor/outdoor

·                                             veterinary hospital/office, with outdoor kennel

·                                             athletic field, private

·                                             golf driving range

·                                             outdoor amphitheater, commercial

·                                             auto sales

·                                             towing and vehicle storage

·                                             vehicle repair, heavy

·                                             industrial service uses

·                                             manufacturing and production uses

·                                             warehouse and freight movement uses

 

Meeting Schedule: 

Town Council Public Hearing

Date:  May 11, 2006

Action:  Town Council forwarded the request to the July 17, 2006, Planning and Zoning Board meeting.

 

Planning & Zoning Board:

Date:  July 17, 2006

Action:  The Board unanimously recommended approval 9-0 of the requested zoning amendment, and forwarded the case to the July 27, 2006 Town Council meeting for action.

 

Town Council Action:

Date:  July 27, 2006

Action:  Council voted to approve the requested amendments to the Conditional Use Districts, as described in this report.

 

Applicant’s Justification Statement Submitted (March 27, 2006)

(Please note that the following statement is that of the applicant and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Town of Cary):

 

The purpose of this request is to eliminate zoning conditions that prevent the development of these parcels under the recently adopted Alston Activity Center Concept plan.  Many of these conditions would effect how the Alston design would be accomplished and therefore we would request that they be removed.

 

How is the proposed request reasonable?  In explaining how it is reasonable, please address the following, if applicable:

 

1.  Any issues with the size of the tract?  There are no issues with the size of the tract of land.

 

2.  How is the request compatible with the comprehensive plan (i.e. Land Use, Transportation, Open Space and Historic Resources)?  Yes, this request is compatible with the Comprehensive land use plan.  This request is compatible because the activity center has already been established and is far more restrictive than the base zoning with regard to uses, open space, and circulation.  In fact, this rezoning request is necessary for the fulfillment and intent of the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan.

 

3.  What are the benefits and detriments to the owner, neighbors and the community?  Removing the existing conditions is beneficial in that if the conditions remained the “Alston vision” density and connectivity would not come to fruition.  For example the proposed density on the Residential Multi-family would be limited to 350 units instead of the 590 approved in the Alston Plan.  The existing conditions would also limit the site to one means of access onto Hwy 55.  All of the documents in the Alston plan contain at least two connections to Hwy 55.

 

4.  How are all the allowable uses with the proposed rezoning compatible with, or how do they relate to, the uses currently present on adjacent tracts?  We are not proposing any uses that are not already allowed in the district under the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan.  The request is simply to remove existing conditions that inhibit the development of the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan.

 

Reference Information

 

A.  Compliance with the Comprehensive Plan:  Both the existing and requested zoning conform to the Comprehensive Plan.  The most relevant governing elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the subject parcels are the district master plan – the Northwest Area Plan, plus the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, and the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Master Plan.  The requested rezoning is in compliance with all these elements.  The Comprehensive Plan recommends the parcel develop as part of a large, mixed-use regional activity center, and the mix of zoning districts for the subject parcels supports that vision.   There is also nothing inherent in the rezoning request that is contrary to the recommendations for parks, greenways, open space, or transportation facilities.

 

B.  Specifications for Adjacent/Nearby Roadways: 

NC Hwy 55:

Existing Roadway Section: 2 lanes, 170 ‘ROW

Future Roadway Section: 6-lane median divided section

Schedule: Current NC 55 project Petty Farm Rd. south to US 64

Sidewalk Requirements: required on both sides

Bicycle Requirements: 14’ wide outside lane

 

North-South Collector and East-West Collector (to run north-south and east-west through the site):

Five available cross-sections are specified in the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan under the Activity Center Overlay District.  Sections typically have sidewalks on both sides, and 12-foot travel lanes.  On-street parking is available in several of the available cross-sections. 

 

C.  Transit Requirements:  Bus shelter or pull-out required

 

D.  Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA):  A TIA is not required for this zoning case, since the proposed changes do not affect trip generation under the base zoning.  However, a draft Traffic Impact Study has been prepared for a site plan currently under review for the northern half of the subject tracts.  That study is being performed by Town traffic consultant, HNTB, dated March 2006 for the commercial parcel. The study is based on 433,500 sq. ft. of retail and 52,000 sq. ft. of office.

 

E.  Parks & Greenways:  According to the PRCR Facilities Master Plan and the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan, a greenway is required along the Nancy Branch Stream as well as a north-south multi-use trail along the north-south collector.  The greenway and multi-use trail will be required to be built to Town standards as part of the activity center.

 

F.  Schools

None of the proposed changes to zoning conditions affect the residential yield or number of students that might be generated from the RMF-CU site.  Therefore, no school impact information is provided. 

 

G.  Development Plan Issues

The purpose of a rezoning is to evaluate the appropriateness of this land use for these parcels of land.  Specific development requirements related to the technical aspects of land development, such as access, stormwater management, road improvements, utility line placement, road connectivity and landscape plantings, are not considered during the rezoning process.  However, all of these development issues must be addressed for compliance with existing requirements spelled out in the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) when the site or subdivision plan is submitted.

 

Feedback at Town Council Public Hearing:

No citizens or Council members spoke at the public hearing.

 

Changes since Town Council Public Hearing

The applicant originally proposed to remove all conditions from all the districts.  The application now includes conditions that exclude uses that would not otherwise be allowed under the Alston ACCP.

 

Staff Observation on Rezoning:

A.  Background

Existing Conditions and the Alston Activity Center Concept Plan:  Under the LDO, certain types of existing conditions tied to the base zoning apply to the subject parcel regardless of the nature of any Activity Center Overlay District and Concept Plan.  This is the case for some of the conditions tied to these two parcels, where certain existing conditions are in conflict with the Activity Center Overlay District and its associated Alston Concept Plan (such as the internal buffers or unit caps).  Such conditions make it impossible for future site plans submitted under the Activity Center Overlay District to be in full compliance with the Alston Plan.  Thus, some of the existing conditions need to be removed or updated in order to allow future site plans to be submitted consistent with the Alston Plan. 

 

Following adoption of the Alston Activity Center Overlay District and Concept Plan in March 2006, staff informed the applicant that it would be advisable to seek a rezoning amendment that would remove or update conditions that are in conflict with the Alston Plan.

 

B.  Analysis of Proposed Amendments to Zoning Conditions

An analysis of the impact of changing or removing the existing conditions for each of the Conditional Use districts is given in the tables below:

 

Impact of Proposed GC-CU District Amendments (Real Estate ID 0319337):

 

Existing and Proposed Conditions

Impact of Proposed Revisions

Existing:  Prohibited Uses:  auto sales, auto repairs and storage, auto wash, bottling establishments, tire recapping and retreading, Venetian blind manufacturing

 

Proposed:  Prohibited Uses:  group living, cemetery, hospital, athletic field, public, utility facility, major, transportation facility (except transit stations), kennel, indoor/outdoor, veterinary hospital/office, with outdoor kennel, golf driving range, auto sales, warehouse and freight movement

The new list of prohibited uses will more closely match the list of prohibited uses for this site under the Alston ACCP, helping to ensure that the site will build out in closer conformance with the vision established by the Alston ACCP. 

Existing:  No free standing convenience stores

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

Negligible.  Free-standing convenience stores would be allowed, but site design must conform to Alston design guidelines.

Existing:  All architecture (both B-2 districts) including outparcels will be compatible and coordinated.

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

Architecture is now addressed by the Community Appearance Manual, as is the case for other activity centers.

Existing:  All signage (both B-2 districts) will be compatible and coordinated.

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

This condition is now addressed by the Town’s LDO and signage requirements.

Existing:  All outparcels will have inward oriented access.

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

Access guidelines are now given by the Alston design guidelines.

Existing:  Auto access will be limited to one main entry on NC 55; other entry driveways will be off street from NC 55.

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

Access guidelines are now given by the Alston design guidelines.

 

Impact of Proposed ORD-CU District Amendments (Real Estate ID 0319337):

 

Existing and Proposed Conditions

Impact of Proposed Revisions

Existing:  All of the special uses allowed under [1987 Zoning Ordinance section] 40.1 (e) (5) (A) would be prohibited including manufacturing:  Fertilizing plants, chemical plants, meat packing plants, slaughter houses, copper works, enameling, lacquering or the plating of galvanized metals, foundries for iron and steel, oxygen manufacturing, poultry dressing, railroad freight yards, repair and manufacturing, soap detergent and washing compound, stonecutting, refineries, nuclear and hazardous waste storage, natural gas storage, and nuclear plants.

 

Proposed:  Prohibited Uses:  Group living, Cemetery, Hospital, Athletic field, public, Utility facility, major, transportation facility (except transit stations), kennel, indoor/outdoor, veterinary hospital/office, with outdoor kennel, athletic field, private, golf driving range, outdoor amphitheater, commercial, auto sales, towing and vehicle storage, vehicle repair, heavy, industrial service uses, manufacturing and production uses, warehouse and freight movement uses

The new list of prohibited uses will more closely match the list of prohibited uses for this site under the Alston ACCP, helping to ensure that the site will build out in closer conformance with the vision established by the Alston ACCP.

 

(Also, Heavy and Light Industrial uses such as those prohibited under the existing conditions are no longer allowed as a special use in the GC District, nor are they allowed by right.)

Existing:  25' buffer around edge of proposed lake (if lake is feasible).

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

None.  Condition is no longer needed.  This is now addressed by existing LDO requirements.

Existing:  Building footprint limited to 40% coverage of each parcel.

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

None. Condition no longer needed.  Alston design guidelines and watershed overlay district address such matters.

Existing:  All building exteriors are to be compatible and coordinated.

 

Proposed:  (remove condition)

None.  Condition no longer needed.  Architecture will need to follow the Town-wide Architectural Design standards of the Community Appearance Manual, as is the case for other activity centers.

 

Impact of Proposed RMF-CU District Amendments (Real Estate ID 0319337):

 

Existing and Proposed Conditions

Impact of Proposed Revisions