Mr. Zaccardo made a motion to forward to Council for approval at their March 14, 2002 meeting, which was seconded by Mr. Portman. The Board voted (9-0) in favor of the motion. The recommendation included reducing the required 60' semi-opaque buffers to 30' opaque buffers.

Staff recommends approval of the plan, and a reduction from the required 60’ semi-opaque buffers to 30’ opaque buffers.

All property owners in the general vicinity of the proposed subdivision were notified of the plans for development. No adjoining property owner has contacted the staff inquiring about this proposed subdivision.

The average lot size between Willoughby Place Subdivision and Wickham Place Subdivision varies by 1,281 square feet. Because the lots in Wickham Place Subdivision are less than 8,000 square feet, a 60' semi-opaque is required. Staff does not feet, however, that the difference in the size of the lots warrants a 60' buffer. Therefore, staff supports the request to reduce the required 60' semi-opaque buffer to 30'.

Phone:

As mentioned above, excluding a proposal to reduce perimeter buffers in width from 60’ to 30‘, the plan complies with all zoning requirements. The average lot size in Willoughby Place Subdivision, (adjoining Wickham Place Subdivision) is 8,276 square feet. The average lot size in Wickham Place would be 6,995 square feet. Therefore, the average lot sizes would be within 1,281 square feet of each other and similar in size. Because the lot area proposed within Wickham Place Subdivision is less than 8,000 square feet, a 60' buffer is required between the subdivisions.

The typical required buffer type would be a semi-opaque "B" type buffer. The plan, however, proposes to increase the density of the buffer area to an opaque "A" type standard.

Staff feels the difference in lot sizes does not wawillorrant a 60' buffer. Therefore, staff supports the request to reduce the required 60' semi-opaque buffer to 30'.

The plans propose one-story dwellings that would range in size from approximately 980 square feet to 1,240 square feet. The type of construction would be traditional residential, consisting of wood frame construction on built-up brick foundations. The exterior finish would be of vinyl siding in a range of traditional residential colors, such as: glacier white, antique parchment, platinum gray, cape cod gray, windsor blue, and colonial ivory. All trim would be in white. Gable asphalt roofs would be utilized.

The developer is proposing to widen Reedy Creek Road along the property frontage to one half of a 41’ back-to-back street section (3-lane roadway) within one half of a 65’ right-of-way. This is in accordance with standard Town requirements.

There is an existing public water line within the Reedy Creek Road right-of-way. The plan proposes an 8" public water line extension within Wickham Drive right-of-way to serve the proposed subdivision.

The project budget below shows the costs of this development. Habitat is requesting that the Town of Cary provide funds for site acquisition, development fees, and for infrastructure and site costs. Habitat sponsors will provide funding for materials. The line items for which Habitat is requesting Town funding is consistent with the goals of the Town’s Affordable Housing Plan and with the prescribed uses of the Town’s Affordable Housing Fund.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing development agency that promotes homeownership among working families at 60% of area median income, with a required 400 hours of "sweat equity." Through partnerships and by using volunteers Habitat is able to provide more affordable housing than other developers. The Wickham Place houses will be 980 - 1240 square feet and will be sold to pre-qualified buyers for $67,500. Habitat uses a deed restriction/right-of-first-refusal to guarantee that a family either continues to occupy a dwelling or provides the unit to another moderate-income family.

Staff feels that Town participation in the Wickham Place II Subdivision would be an excellent use of the Town’s affordable housing resources and that the off-site improvements are justified to fulfill the Town’s connectivity goals.