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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-14-2012 - 3ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 14, 2012 001 Action Agenda Item No. 3 SUBJECT: Siting Criteria for Southwest Branch Library — Review of Comments DEPARTMENT: Asset Management Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No (AMS), Library ATTACHMENT(S): A. Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen INFORMATION CONTACT: Review Comments — Library Sitting Lucinda Munger, (919) 245 -2528 Criteria Pam Jones, (919) 245 -2652 B. County Staff Assessment C. Original Siting Criteria with Embedded Staff Comments D. Minutes from October 13, 2011 Joint BOCC /Carrboro Board of Aldermen Meeting PURPOSE: To receive and review the Town of Carrboro Board of Aldermen's comments on, and suggested revisions to, siting criteria for the proposed southwestern branch of the Orange County library. BACKGROUND: On October 13, 2011, staff presented siting and property evaluation criteria for the southwestern branch of the County library during a joint meeting of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen. Minutes from this meeting are provided at Attachment D. During the meeting, the BOCC invited the Town to provide comments on the criteria. County staff received these comments in a letter from Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton, dated March 6, 2012 (Attachment A). County staff has reviewed and evaluated the Town's suggestions (Attachment B). Staff is also recommending modifications to the siting criteria in an attempt to address comments made during the joint meeting. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no financial impacts associated with the comment and /or adoption of the library siting criteria. The review of potential library locations, within Phases 1 and 2, would be conducted by existing County staff within adopted budgetary parameters. It should be noted, however, that Phase 3 of the process may require a financial investment to secure development rights for selected properties. This `investment' will vary depending on the individual property. Phase 3 may also include the need for the County to incur "initial due diligence" costs to ensure the viability of selected properties. 002 RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Receive the Town of Carrboro's comments, 2. Review and discuss the suggested modifications, and 3. Provide feedback on the library siting criteria as recommended by staff in Attachment 2 and authorize staff to finalize the site selection process for the southwestern branch library for future review and approval by the BOCC. M A TOWN OF CARRBORO NORTH CAROLINA • • WWW.TOWNOFCARRBORO.ORG Bernadette Pelissier Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners 200 S. Cameron Street P.O. Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 March 8, 2012 Dear Bernadette: Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Orange County Library siting criteria. During the Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, the following motion was passed: MOTION WAS MADE BY ALDERMAN HAVEN- O'DONNELL AND SECONDED BY ALDERMAN COLEMAN FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE A TIME- SPECIFIED "CALL FOR PROPERTIES" TO HELP ESTABLISH A LIST OF POSSIBLE LIBRARY LOCATIONS AND THAT THE LIBRARY SITING CRITERIA DOCUMENT, UNDER THE BEADING "CENTRALITY," BE AMENDED TO READ "POTENTIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS INDICATED BY ADOPTED PLANS." VOTE: AFFIRMATIVE ALL Please share this information with your board, along with the updated criteria with the Board of Aldermens' comments included as an enclosure. Warm regards, J�h,vJ,A- O Mark Chilton Mayor 301 WEST MAIN STREET, CARRBORO, NC 27510 - (919) 942 -8541 - FAX (919) 968 -7745 - V0ICEeMtrD0JASCII :71 1 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER 003 004 Low Med High Phase I BOA COMMENTS 1 2 3 Visibility has not been an issue • Price is within established budget for the Chapel Hill Library or for many others that could be cited. Good signage on the street will alter passersby.Traffic count is incorporated under"access" below. There is no reason to give any further consideration to a site that is not within budget. 1 2 3 Site Capacity Some of the parking needs may be • Meets minimum acreage (urban met from parking available within services vs. rural services) a larger complex(e.g.300 E. Main)or from proximate public • Space for building and necessary parking. on site parking • Determination of space needed "space for future expansion" shall be forward-looking in regardsa�pacts the budget to future impact of library for site purchase:Build for 21" technologies and alternative Century use.Footprint reflect transportation. need for less hard copy,stack • Adequate utilities space storage. • Space for future expansion • Space to accommodate the necessary setbacks, road expansions and other site amenities_ 1 2 3 Access Density downtown. • Accessibility for pedestrians Downtown is the most • Accessibility for vehicles accessible location by bus, Accessibility for public bile and pedestrian population, • transportation: must be on an Assembly of Governments Meeting: • existing Chapel Hill Transit route 11130/09Attachment 12:OC that serves downtown Carrboro. Long-Range Library Facility Planning Recommendation #4 pg.17: "The establishment of a southwest regional branch library combining the collections,staff,and services presently located at McDougle Middle School Carrboro Branch and the Century Center Cybrary. This branch should be centered in the town of Carrboro" 1 2 3 Centrality Fundamental questions of location • Existing population should be a primary concern. 005 • Growth and development See access comments • Proximity to low income • populations Potential growth and development,as indicated by • Proximity to schools adopted plans. • Proximity to retail • Proximity to other libraries • Site is not isolated Total: Phase I (If total ranking equals 8 or more, excluding a ranking of one(1),go to Phase II) Low Med High Phase II BOA COMMENTS Community Input and Preference Stakeholder input should be • Input from a broad cross- sought early on and gathered section of the area to be served while technical research is under way. Impact on surrounding 1 2 3 Community Preference properties Stakeholder ink should be • Input from elected officials sought early on and can be • Alignment with planning tools gathered while technical research is under way. (Comprehensive Plan) • Input from a board cross-section of the area to be served • Orange County Library Advisory Board Orange County&Carrboro Friends of the Library 1 2 3 Site Conditions,Allowances,and Constraints • The cost-benefit conclusions of physical, legal,and entitlement site allowances/constraints • Technical and environmental assessments(planning/zoning, jurisdictional processes,etc.) • Environmentally sustainable (C&A, storm water mgt, buffers, energy"net zero"capacity) • Operationally sustainable • Defeats obsolescence 1 2 3 Terms and Availability Move cost to#1 • Timeframe for development of the site ; • Terms for site control necessary 006 for development process Total: Phase 11 (if the total ranking equals 6 or more, excluding,a ranking of one(1), go to Phase III) Low Med High Phase Ill BOA COMMENTS • Moved up 1 2 3 Lease versus Purchase Add:Potential of lease to • Analysis of the long-term viability purchase of the site • Availability of property for lease 1 2 3 Partnerships Add:Open to public/private • Co-location with other entity co-location • Mutually beneficial joint development • Enhances service possibilities Total: Phase 1l1 Attachment B 007 Orange County Recommended Criteria Carrboro Board Of Aldermen Comment 3/8112 Orange County staff Comments 6-14-12 to BOCC-10/13/11 Phase 1 1.Visibility A.Visible from the street Suggests removal from criteria. "Visibility has not been an issue for Staff recommends no change from the original.A the Chapel Hill Library or for many others that could be cited. Good visible location promotes safety,ease of use,and a signage on the street will alter passersby..." recognizable destination. B.Traffic count that meets or Suggests removal from criteria. "...Traffic count is incorporated Staff recommends no change from the original. exceeds the avg traffic count of under"access"below..." a major thoroughfare... C.Visual Appeal Suggests removal from criteria. Staff recommends no change from the original. Suggests New Criteria:"Price is within established budget". Staff recommends that cost remains in Phase 2.The "There is no reason to give any further consideration to a site that is site price and budget correlate to overall project not within budget." budget.The"raw land"(site)price cannot be evaluated alone.The other site evaluation variables in Phases 1 and 2 must be vetted,understood, assigned risk factors,and priced. 2.Site Capadty A. Meets minimum acreage Suggests No Change Staff recommends no change from the original. (urban services vs.rural services) B.Space for building and on- Suggests Modified Criteria:Space for building and necessary on- Staff recommends no change from the original. site parking site parking. "Some of the parking needs may be met from parking available within a larger complex(e.g.300 E.Main)or from proximate public parking". Suggests new criteria:"Determination of space needed shall be Staff recommends no change from the original. forward looking in regard to future impact of library technologies Building site requirements,including parking,are and alternative transportation"."Site capacity impacts the budget governed by the jurisdiction/agency policy for site purchase:Build for 21st Century use.Footprint reflect need requirements codified in building code,accessibility for less hard copy,stack space storage." code,planning and zone ordinance,etc. BOA's intent,as supported by the 3/8/12 comments as well as recorded comments at the 10/13/12 meeting,seems to infer that future library technologies will allow for less space,less parking, etc. Whether built in Carrboro or on Orange County jurisdictions,the County cannot make development decisions based upon future codifications and building requirements. C.Adequate utilities Suggests No Change Staff recommends no change from the original. D. Space for future expansion Suggests No Change. "Space for future expansion requires Staff recommends no change from the original. See clarification." comments located above. E. Space to accommodate the Suggests No Change Staff recommends no change from the original. necessary setbacks,road expansions and other site amenities 3.Access A.Accessibility for pedestrians Suggests No Change Staff recommends no change from the original. B.Accessibility for vehicles Suggests No Change Staff recommends no change from the original. C.Accessibility for the public Modified to"Accessibility for public transportation must be on an Staff recommends no change from the original.The transportation existing Chapel Hill Transit route that serves downtown Carrboro". CIP placeholder for construction of this facility is "Density is downtown.Downtown is the most accessible location by FY15-16. Public transportation routes are dynamic bus,bike,and pedestrian population.Assemby of governments and future destinations are not identified for the meeting:11/30/09 Attachment 12:DC Long-Range Library Facility site criteria process. Planning Recommendation#4 pg.17: "The establishment of a southwest regional branch libary combining the collections,staff, and services presently located at McDougle Middle School Carrboro Branch and the Century Center Cybrary. This branch should be centered in Town of Carrboro." Attachment B 008 Orange County Recommended Criteria Carrboro Board Of Aldermen Comment 3/8/12 Orange County Staff Comments 6-14-12 Phase 2 1.Centrality Suggests moving entire category to Phase 1 Staff recommends moving to Phase 1. A. Existing population Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. B.Growth and development Suggest no change. "Fundamental questions of location should be a Staff recommends no change from the original. primary concern.See access comments. Potential growth and Staff agrees with the BOA comment and its development,as indicated by adopted plans." clarification.Growth and development assumes "potential"growth and development. Adopted long range plans would be referred to during the evaluation process. C.Proximity to schools Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. D.Proximity to retail Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. E. Proximity to other libraries Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. F.Site is not isolated Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. 2.Site Conditions,Allowances,and Constraints A.The cost-benefit conclusions Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. of physical,legal,and land-use allowances/constraints B.Technical and environmental Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. assessments(planning/zoning, jurisdictional processes,etc.) C. Environmentally sustainable Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. (C&A,storm water mgt,buffers, energy"net zero capacity) D.Operationally sustainable Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. E. Defeats obsolescence Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. 3.Cost and Availability Suggest wording change to"Terms and Availability" Staff recommends no change from the original. A.Cost for site acquisition Suggests moving to Phase 1."There is no reason to give further Staff recommends that cost remains in Phase 2.The consideration to a site that is not within budget." site price and budget correlate to overall project budget.The"raw land"(site)price cannot be evaluated alone.The other site evaluation variables in Phases 1 and 2 must be vetted,understood, assigned risk factors,and priced. B.Timeframe for development Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. of the site C.Terms for site control Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. necessary of development process Attachment B 009 Orange County Recommended Criteria Carrboro Board Of Aldermen Comment 3/8/12 Orange County Staff Comments 6-14-12 Phase 3 1.Community Preference Suggests moving to Phase 2."Stakeholder input should be sought Staff recommends no change from the original. early on and gathered while technical research is under way". Phases 1 and 2 are designed for quick analysis(2-3 weeks per site)and recommendation to the County Manager and,potentially,the BOCC.Staff sees benefit in resource efficiency to reject sites that are not viable candidates due to technical and cost factors prior to investing substantial time in the public input process. A. Input from elected officials Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. B.Alignment with planning Suggest no change Staff recommends moving to Phase 1. tools(Comprehensive Plan) C. Input from a broad cross- Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. section of the area to be served D.Orange County Library Suggest no change Staff recommends removal because the Entity does Advisory Board not exist. E.Orange County&Carrboro Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. Friends of the Library 2.Lease versus Purchase Staff recommends moving to Phase 1. A.Analysis of the long-term Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. viability of the site B.Availability of property for Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. lease Suggests new criteria:"Potential of Lease to Purchase" Staff recommends no change from the original. 3.Partnerships A.Co-location with other entity Suggests modification to read"Open to public/private co-location" Staff recommends to alter the criteria to read: "Co- location with other public or private entities" B. Mutually beneficial joint Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. development C.Enhances service possibilities Suggest no change Staff recommends no change from the original. ono Attachment C SITE SELECTION CRITERIA: The Manager has directed staff to provide a set of library site selection criteria and procedures for County Commissioner review, comment and eventual adoption. The following suggested criteria were assembled using nationally established guidelines and include a set of guiding principles as well as an objective screening process. It is contemplated staff would utilize this comprehensive information to evaluate sites proffered by the Commissioners or other designated site selection body. a. Guiding Principles When selecting a site for a new or expanded library, the Library system takes into account three fundamental factors: • The Library System recognizes that as a regional service provider, the location of libraries must provide for optimal service to the most number of residents within the entire System service area. This takes precedence over political boundaries or undeveloped neighborhoods. • The Board is committed to providing an equitable level of service throughout the entire County. • The placement of a library in a manner that maximizes its use will be more valuable over the long term than the original investment made in land or building. Typically, the original cost of a new building is exceeded in just three years by its cumulative operating costs. 011 Attachment C b. Screening Process The following screening process is a prioritized hierarchy of specific factors that should be weighed to determine "the best" or "most suitable" site for a library. The three tiers of screening criteria form a naturally weighted system that can guide the selection of a library site. A suggested site can be evaluated by staff in a range of 20 to 30 days at no cost outside of invested Orange County staff time. Low Med High Phase I 1 2 3 Visibility • Visible from the street • Traffic count that meets or exceed the average traffic counts of a major thoroughfare in a community • Visual appeal 1 2 3 Site Capacity • Meets minimum acreage (urban services vs. rural services) • Space for building and on-site parking • Adequate utilities • Space for future expansion • Space to accommodate the necessary setbacks, road expansions and other site amenities. 1 2 3 Access • Accessibility for pedestrians • Accessibility for vehicles • Accessibility for public transportation 1 2 3 Alignment with Planning Tools (Comprehensive Plan) 1 2 3 Lease versus Purchase • Analysis of the long term viability of the site • Availability of property for lease 1 2 3 Centrality of Location • Existing population • Growth and development • Proximity to schools • Proximity to retail • Proximity to other libraries Site is not isolated Total: Phase I (If total ranking equals 6 or more, excluding a ranking of one (1), go to Phase II) 012 Attachment C Low Med High Phase II 1 2 3 Site Conditions, Allowances, and Constraints • The cost-benefit conclusions of physical, legal, and land-use allowances/constraints • Technical and environmental assessments (planning/zoning,jurisdictional processes, etc.) • Environmentally sustainable (C&A, storm water mgt, buffers, energy "net zero" capacity) • Operationally sustainable • Defeats obsolescence 1 2 3 Cost and Availability • Cost for site acquisition • Availability of property for lease • Analysis of long term viability of site • Timeframe for development of the site • Terms for site control necessary for development process Total: Phase II (if the total ranking equals 6 or more, excluding, a ranking of one (1), go to Phase III) Low Med High Phase III 1 2 3 Community Preference • Input from elected officials • Input from a board cross-section of the area to be served • Orange County & Carrboro Friends of the Library 1 2 3 Partnerships • Co-location with other private or public entity • Mutually beneficial joint development • Enhances service possibilities Total: Phase Ill PARCEL SELECTION AND STAFF FEEDBACK PROCESS: The Board may direct the Manager to initiate Phase I and II studies on specific parcels as it sees fit. Once staff has formally reported on these candidates, the Board may direct staff to initiate Phase III of the analysis on one or more parcels. Once staff has formally reported on the results of this analysis, the Board may direct staff to proceed with the following major steps for development. 013 Attachment C MAJOR STEPS FOR DEVELOPMENT: Once an evaluated site has been accepted by the BOCC, staff will proceed with all of the standard, inter-related, development processes. These processes may occur simultaneously. This process is contingent on available funding. Attachment A, "Process & Estimated Cost Comparison", compares and contrasts the Orange County and Carrboro jurisdictions' processes AM' C 014 APPROVED 11116/2011 MINUTES - ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN JOINT MEETING October 13.2011 COUNTY COMMISSION PR SENT• Chair Bernadette Pelissier and Commissioners Valerie Foushee,Alice Gordon,Pam Hemminger,Barry Jacobs,Earl McKee and Steve Yuhasz COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts COUNTY STAFF PRESENT1 County Manager Frank Clifton,Assistant County Managers Gwen Harvey and Michael Talbert and Clerk to the Board Donna S.Baker(AN other staff members will be identified appropriately below) CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Mark Chilton and Aldermen Randee Haven-O'Donnell,Dan Coleman,Lydia Lavelle,Joel Hap Broun,Sammy Stade,and Interim Town Manager Matt Eftrd CARRBORO BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEMBERS ABSENT: Jacquelyn Gist Welcome.and Opening Remarks(Chair Pelissier and Mayor Chilton) Chair Pelissier and Mayor Chilton welcomed everyone and introductions were made, Chair Pelissier said that this is the first lime that Orange County and the Town of Carib=has met with just the two entitles. SouthWeet Brapolt Library Siting Criierigt Chair Pelissier said that Asset Management Director Pam Jones and Library Services Director Lucinda Munger would be making this presentation. Overview • County Commissioners reviewed proposed site selection criteria and development steps on 1416111 • Criteria based on nationally established guidelines for siting library facilities • Major elements • Guiding principles • Screening criteria for sites considered • Development Steps Guiding Principles • Site to provide optimal service to the highest number of residents in the entire System service area; • Equitable service throughout County • Wide angle view • Devalopmentconstruction costs http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink7/ImageDisplay.aspx?cacheyes&sessionkey=WLImageDispla... 6/6/2012 015 • Operating costs Three-Phase Siting Criteria Phase One • Visibility • Is It highly visible to the Community? • Capacity + Can site accommodate intended structure and site amenities, appropriate infrastructure and long-loan growth? • Accessibility • Access for pedestrian,vehicles,public transit? Phase Two Centrality Does it make sense/provide benefit to things in close proximity(e.g.Schools, retail,growth/development)? Site Conditions,Allowances and Constraints Regulatory/erwironmentatly and operationally sustainable/mitigation effort to overcome deficiencies Cost and Availability Reasonable acquisition cost and development costs Phase Three + Community Preference • Broad critique of site(s)by stakeholders • Lease vs.Purchase • Identify possibilities and most advantageous arrangement for acquisition • Partnerships • Identify possibilities and most advantageous long-term benefit Major Development Steps • Site Control • initial Due Diligence • Regulatory Approvals • Design • Bid/construct • Close outfoccupy Historical Design Process • Committees appointed to; • Recommend project architect via RFP process • Provide Input and review design options • Library consultant for facility space planning • County Commissioners approve final plan Space Projections Accepted practice"Guide fines lorNC Libraries(1998)"recommends libraries serving a population of 25,000 or more provide a facility equal to.65 sq ft per 1,000 residents http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink7/ImageDisplay.aspx?cache=yes&sessionkey=WLlmageDispla... 6/6/2012 016 Southwest Orange County,including Bingham,Carrboro,Unincorporated and Chatham— Northern Border 2010 Census=28,343 x.65=minlmum 18.423 square feet 2020 protected population=33,028 x.65=21.488 square feet Space Usage estimated 18.22,000 Square Fool Fatality (not to scale) Chair f'etissior said that the County Commissioners welcome all comments from the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and she encouraged the public to speak on this issue at the Board of County Commissioners'regular meetings, Sammy Slade said that during the experience of the last siting there was a lot of frustration on the part of the public. He suggested engaging the public earlier in the siting process, It is important to have the community involved in this process. Mayor Chilton said that the criteria set out in the abstract is vary broad and what concerns him Is that the Board of County Commissioners are more concerned about the accessibility of vehicles as opposed to other modes of transportation for this siting. He has heard from various board members and It seems that what they want is a suburban library and a large site with a lot of land. He said that this means that this library would be at the edge of the municipality. He saki that what was compelling about this idea was to have this library in downtown Carrboro,and be more accessible to a more diverse population. He is worried that the Board of County Commissioners is applying criteria that will drive a suburban library. He said that the library should not be optimal to the most number of users but to the ones that need it the most,like lower Income households. He also has reservations about the chart that shows the assumed space that Is available for the needs of this proposed library. He said that he is concerned that the Board is looking at criteria from the past and not looking at the future library. Joel Hall Bosun said that she does not necessarily agree with Mayor Chilton. If It Is going to be a library branch for the County and southern Orange County has a robust bus service,the accessibility is there. She said that there is sill a large digital divide and there are more people that need to get to a library. She said that she moved here in 1992 and she has seen three library studies. She said that they are going to be entering a more difficult recession and when they talk about suburbia they are talking about Carrboro"suburbia". She Said that she wants more commercial downtown rather than a library,which is a non-taxable entity. She said that if they are going to have a deliberative process,then it should proceed. The main criterion Is how much money the County is willing to spend. This will drive the piece of property that is purchased. Dan Coleman spoke to Mayor Chilton about the process. He said that this is an official meeting of the Board but it does not seem to be conducive for the Board of Aldermen to come to an agreement or disagreement on this. He wants to know If the board Is giving feedback to the County as Individual board members or as an entire board. Mayor Chilton said that the Board of Aldermen has not discussed this topic in detail yet end the members are only expressing their opinions. Tho board will take this topic and have a formal discussion later. Dan Coleman agreed that the cost may affect the siting. He said that the property currently under consideration by CVS In downtown Carrboro would have plenty of space for a hitp://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink7/ItnageDisplay.aspx?cache=yes&sessionkey—WLlinageDispla... 6/6/2012 017 library as well as parking. He said that this site might be a consideration if it fails with CVS. He said that the cost issue needs to be at the forefront. Lydia Lavelle agreed with Sammy Slade and urged the County to think about a two- story library versus a one-story library. She said that,in looking at the estimated cost analysis, if a site is selected In Orange County versus Carrboro,it looks like it Is more expensive for Carrboro. She asked about the proposal to change the zoning process to make it less costly and time-consuming, Commissioner Yuhasz said that he was suggesting a different zoning process for siting some public facilities. This would make It easter and quicker for things to occur. Lydia Lavelle said that she would like the Aldermen to consider this request Render)Haven O'Donnell made reference to the Phase 2 slide about centrality and asked if the County was more interested in siting In a more central location because of the study. She said that she had previously thought that a southwest library would need to be sited more"southwest",which would be outside of the urban center. Chew Pelissier said that she would not interpret it that way. She said that all factors are being taken into consideration. Randee Haven O'Donnell said that If the criterion for Phase 2 Is centrality,then this would lend itself to be closer to an urban area because the larger population is there. She said that it does not make sense to put it further away from the urban center. Dan Coleman said that there are no schools or retail west of Carrboro plaza and the town limits and it seems that the criteria addressed Randers Haven O'Donnell's concerns. Commissioner McKee said that,In his mind,centrality does not mean downtown or out In Orange Grove,but II means central to public transportation and in the foreseeable future that access to this library will be by Carrboro. Mayor Chilton said that he would challenge his notion. He said that the Cybrary has a lot of usage and he would doubt that most people arrive by car. Commissioner McKee said that he remains convinced that the majority of the patrons will use the southwest branch library and will access it by car. Al the same time,he wants to make sure that it is accessible by mass transit and that it is reasonably close to future development Commissioner Jacobs said that he talked with Mayor Chilton about the library,and he never advocated a lot of parking,single-story,or 20,000 square feet. He said that a lot of people use libraries now for computers. He agrees with the people that are arguing that the assumptions need to be considered. He said that the public should be engaged about this. He said that a southwest branch looks different to the County Commissioners than it looks to the Board of Aldermen. Frank Clifton said that a building of this size needs to have access to water and sewer. There were sites considered along 54 in the developed area. The goal Is to avoid some of the operational issues that the County deals with now that add costs to daily operations. Dan Coleman said that he wanted to make sure that the transportation Issue in Bingham Township is not overstated. Randee Haven O'Donnell said that she was on the last library task force and she was connected with the librarians that were on the last two library task forces. She said that the conversation Is moving toward the'southwest corner of Carrboro versus the urban notion of a library. She said that she wondered what was driving the shift in the conversation these days. Evan a year ago,the Board of County Commissioners was looking at the previous site on Hillsborough Road. She said that it seems that the trajectory is taking a sharp turn in a different direction. Mayor Chilton said that 20 years ago Chapel Hill moved its library on Estes Drive.which did not have access to public transportation at that time. The Chapel Hip Town Council http://setver3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink7/ImageDisplay.aspx?cache=yes&sessionkey=WLImageDispla... 6/6/2012 018 addressed that problem by adding a shod route that connected to an existing route up to the library, This route is very inconvenient for residents_ He said that this was not a forward. thinking decision that was made. He said that his concern Is that this is not being approached the right way. He said that he would rather have a slightly smaller facility In the right place than the ideal facility In the wrong place. Joel Hall Bromm said that she is going to suggest to the Town Board to take a map of their town and put a circle around where they want a library and where they do not want it. She wants to be real about how much money Orange County has. Commissioner Foushee said that the best thing they have here Is so the Board of County Commissioners can hear the real issues that concern both boards, Orange County needs from the Board of Aldermen what Carrboro expects out of this process. The cost will drive what Orange County can buy and can build. if the Town of Carrboro wants Orange County to site a library downtown,then it would be helpful if Carrboro could Identify some potential sites that would meet Carrboro's criteria and would meet Orange County's ability to purchase and build. She wants to consider the people that will also be driving to this facility because not everyone will be taking public transportation.She does not think that this changes the trajectory of building a branch,but she thinks that this process has enlightened the County Commissioners that there are some factors that were not considered in the first process that must be considered In this one. Chair Pelissier said that the fiscal reality will drive this project and this is not a short. term Issue. She said that the County Commissioners now need to look at the fiscal sustalnability of all decisions. Commissioner Yuhasz said that he thinks that$1 million is too much for Orange County to pay for a property. He said that the main question is the population that this library will servo. He said that the density of Carrboro Is much closer to a suburban density than It Is to a truly urban density. He thinks that the Board needs to look at a location that serves the greatest number of people from the community. Mayor Chilton said that Carrboro is the most densely populated municipality in the Slate of North Carolina. He said that he believes the library needs to be in the most densely populated area,which is downtown Carrboro. He said that,in looking at the density Of low- Income families,Carrboro Is the highest compared with Chapel Hill and rural Orange County. He said that he thinks it is more Important to serve the lower income areas than the Lake Hogan Farms area. Commissioner Hemminger said that she agreed with Alderman Broun and the cost is the most important aspect of this process. She wants to move forward. She said that the money spent and time spent going through the permitting process is taxpayer money. Commissioner Jacobs said that the last siting process was not a good process and they need to be more collaborative and engage the public more this time around. He said that the County does have money in the CIP for this but he would hesitate to take a parcel of land off of the tax rolls in the economic center. Joel Hall Broun agreed. Commissioner Jacobs said that the notion of a southwest branch is a false construct built to bring more support and it does not actually work. The question is if it Is an urban library or if it is a southwest Orange. If it is southwest Orange.then they can discuss how far out Is too far out. Lydia Lavelle asked where in the tkmmeframe is the decision of the Board of County Commissioners to execute an option to purchase, She said that the public should be notified of a proposed property before it goes to the elected board. The last time it carne to the attention of the public too late. Commissioner Gordon said that the last process is not the process she thought the County Commissioners should have followed,so they are trying to refine the process this lime http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink7/ImageDisplay.aspx?cache=yes&sessionkey=WLlinageDispla... 6/6/2012 019 to be more collaborative_ She said that she was surprised that the CIP information is not in the information tonight. She suggested nailing down the size of the facility. Commissioner McKee said that the CIP number Is around$8 million and Frank Clifton said that they had estimated the land to be about$600,000 and the facility would be about$5 million. Commissioner McKee said that money is going to be the driver on this because the money in the CM Is different than the money being spent. Once the money Is spent the County has to figure a way to pay it back. Hendee Haven O'Donnell asked if the County Commissioners discussed costs last week when they met. Chair Pelissior said that the County Commissioners were only talking about the process and not the costs. She said that one of the things missing relates to the operational costs between a one-story versus a Iwo-story facility_ Chair Pelissier said that the major issues that she heard were cost,the issue of • location/centrality,transportation,and the process. Mayor Chilton said that he does have strong opinions on this topic and he does not want to come across as ungrateful. He said that,on behalf of his Board,they are grateful to work with Orange County in the early stages of this process. 2 Economic Development Overview—Orange County and Carrboro,and Update on Quader.Bent SateeYe .Referendurn gconomlc QeveJopmorj Economic Director of Town of Carrboro Annette Stone said that she is so pleased that Orange County hired Steve Brantley as its Economic Development Director. Steve Brantley said that he Is excited about this conversation as he grew up in Carrboro and Nves there now. He said that this morning he attended a meeting this morning In Greensboro of the Minh Carolina Economic Developers Association. There were several hundred people at the meeting and they were saying that they envy what Orange County is doing. He promised to look for every opportunity to assist Carrboro as needed. He spoke about other collaborative efforts that Orange County is involved in(i.e.,Durham County and a water and sewer agreement for the Eno EDD,the Town of Chapel Hill for incubator locations and startup companies,and the City of Mebane with the Buckhorn EDO). Steve Brantley said that he and Annette Stone have been working together frequently and collaboratively. The Economic Development Office will be previewing a new website soon, which will include ways to share services and+brill showcase Carrboro's economic development interests In that regard.• Dottie Schmitt said that Orange County has a revolving loan program as does the Town of Carrboro. The programs are slightly different and they can easily work together to help the citizens as much as possible. Matthew Rybol,Manager of the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center, said that they are a small food business incubator WHAT IS A PFAP?? • Small business • Tobacco transition • Eating Seasonal • Farm to Fork http://setver3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink7/ImageDisplay.aspx?cache=yes&sessionkey=WLlmageDispla... 6/6/2012