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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-21-2013 - Information Item 6-DOrange County Library 137 W. Margaret Lane. Hillsborough, NC 27278 To: Assembly of Government Officials 1 INFORMATION ITEM - Attachment 6 - D From: Lucinda Munger, Director, Orange County Public Library Jeff Thompson, Director, Asset Management Services Michael Harvey, Current Planning Supervisor, Planning Department Cc: Michael Talbert, Interim County Manager Date: November 21, 2013 Re: Southern Branch Library Siting Process Update On September 18, 2012 the Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), in conjunction with the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, approved a set of guiding principles and a comprehensive site selection criterion for locating the new Southern Branch of the Orange County Library (hereafter "the Branch "). Since that time the Town has submitted several properties for review by County staff consistent with the approved Branch siting process. Following the September 18, 2013 BOCC work session Orange County staff was authorized to commence the second level of Phase 1 for review on the following 3 sites: 128 Hillsborough Road, commonly referred to as the Shetley property, 401 Fidelity Street, commonly referred to as the Town of Carrboro cemetery property, and • 120 Brewer Lane, commonly referred to as the Butler Farm property. Orange County staff began the second phase of Phase 1 by requesting pertinent due diligence information from Carrboro staff. This information request was in a letter from Interim County Manager Michael Talbert sent 1011113 to Town Manager David Andrews On 10/23/13 the Town of Carrboro responded to the letter in an email from the Carrboro Town Manager and Planning Director. Among the items noted in the response: A) 1128 Hillsborough Road, Shetley property. The Board of Aldermen has not taken an official position on the land swap, but is not inclined to 1► support such an action. Further consideration and inquiry will be necessary. Orange County staff felt the development of the Shetley property is only feasible with a proper land swap agreement with Carrboro and the MLK Park. B) 401 Fidelity Street, Town of Carrboro cemetery property. There is significant exposed weathered rock crowning in the center of the most logical building site for a potential library structure and associated parking, indicating sizable potential subterranean rock formations. Orange County staff requested a legal opinion from Carrboro with regard to associated liabilities involving development adjacent to a cemetery- specifically related to the County's interest in rock blasting that is probable should this property be chosen for library development. There are strong concerns from Orange County staff that probable blasting adjacent to a cemetery exposes the County to significant liabilities that will not only drive up the cost of the project but may cause concerns with residents and stakeholders in Orange County. Orange County staffs experience is that rock blasting and removal adds significant cost to a project ranging from a 5 -15% increase of a project's overall cost. Potential liability costs associated with disturbing existing cemetery burial plots adjacent to the building site through a blasting process are incalculable. The Carrboro Town Attorney did provide the BOCC with a response on the question of liability associated with excavation and blasting on the proposed site. C) 120 Brewer Lane, the Butler property. The Carrboro staff will provide requested information on the existing permit limits as requested. At the November 5, 3013 meeting, based on the information received from the Town of Carrboro and staff recommendation, the BOCC took the following actions: 1) Eliminated from further consideration 1128 Hillsborough Road and 401 Fidelity Street from further consideration for Southern Branch Library. 2). Directed staff to conduct further Phase 1 Site Criteria Analysis for 120 Brewer Lane and return to Board by January 24, 2014. During this period the Orange County staff will engage professional services to study technical and environmental assessments (planning /zoning, jurisdictional process, etc.), environmental sustainability, and cost - benefit analysis.