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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-07-2013-13 (5)INFORMATION ITEM MEMORANDUM TO: Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County Elected Officials FROM: Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County Managers SUBJECT: Collaborative Approach to Rogers Road DATE: February 25, 2013 PURPOSE The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the collaborative approach the Managers of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County are pursuing to ensure an inclusive process for determining how best to address the identified needs of the Rogers Road area, particularly those related to the extension of water and sewer service and the potential creation of a utilities service district. BACKGROUND As stated in a memo to the Orange County BOCC dated January 24, 2013: "Sewer service to the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood, as defined by the previously approved public water connections in the area, has proven to be an expensive and complicated issue to resolve. The creation of a County Sewer District for all property owners in the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood that are not currently served by a municipal sewer system is being investigated. Participation by the Towns in a Sewer District located outside of the Towns jurisdictions presents legal challenges for both the Town of Chapel Hill and Town of Carrboro. The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) could be the service provider for the creation of a County Sewer District. Contract terms and policy standards for governmental projects would have to be discussed before a Sewer District could be established." To that end, the Managers of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Orange County have held meetings with their key staffs and each other to discuss these issues and address them collaboratively. The Managers have also met with leaders from other local organizations to develop strategic partnerships as we move forward in the decision making process. DISCUSSION Planning staff from the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro met several times in late 2012 and early 2013 to share information on the area in order to gain a better understanding of the potential for development of the jointly -owned public land in the area, including options for water and sewer extensions. The Planning staffs then met with the Managers to present their findings and discuss some options for moving forward, including creation of a utilities service district. During the same time period, the Managers identified other potential stakeholder organizations and met with their leadership independently to discuss prospects for strategic partnerships moving forward. These organizations included OWASA, Chapel Hill - Carrboro City Schools, Self -Help Credit Union and the Jackson Center. OWASA was identified because of their role as water and sewer service provider, and for their assistance in developing a business model to establish a utilities service district. OWASA is envisioned as a contract service provider in the establishment of the district. Eventually the infrastructure would become part of OWASA's system and managed directly by them. Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools was identified as strategic partner in light of their plans to build a new school in the vicinity of the Roger Road area, which will be a major component of how the area is developed in the future. The school administration has an interest in partnering with the other local governments to integrate the planning for the school with our planning for the community. Self -Help Credit Union has been a critical partner in the Town's efforts to think differently about the Northside neighborhood. Because of the direct and indirect connections between the two neighborhoods, they are interested in partnering in this effort to seek ways to maximize the publicly -owned land into new solutions for community space and infrastructure. The Jackson Center has used its community- building experience in Chapel Hill's Northside Neighborhood to make a difference in the communications with landowners in the area. They are also attracted by the historical connections between the Rogers Road community and Northside. The Managers plan to continue meeting regularly with each other to share information and strategize how best to address the water and sewer needs of the Rogers Road area and community. We will also continue to work with the identified strategic partners to ensure an inclusive and innovative process moving forward. RECOMMENDATION That the Town of Chapel Hill Council, Town of Carrboro Board of Alderman and Orange County Board of Commissioners receive this memorandum, jointly drafted by their Managers.