HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2020-001 Resolution for a Path Forward and Process for Further Assessment of the Greene Tract RES - 2020 - 001
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION FOR A PATH FORWARD PROCESS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT
OF THE GREENE TRACT
WHEREAS , in 1984 , Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill jointly
purchased the property known as the Greene Tract ( 164 acres more or less ) ; and
WHEREAS , in 2000 , title to 60 acres of this property was deeded exclusively to the Orange
County Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for non4andfill solid waste purposes under provisions of
the 1999 Interlocal Agreement for Solid Waste Management , and
WHEREAS , at that time , the remaining 104 acres was retained in joint ownership by the three
governments (with the intent that the future uses of the property would be determined at a future
time ) ; and
WHEREAS , the 60 - acre parcel ( designated as the Headwaters Preserve by the Orange County
Board of Commissioners on October 18 , 2016 ) was purchased by Orange County via
reimbursement to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund in 2016 ; and
WHEREAS , in 2002 Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill adopted the
2002 Resolution which called for approximately 86 acres for open space and 18 acres for
affordable housing on the j ointly - owned land ; and
WHEREAS , the Greene Tract is part of the Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood where the
Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro have researched market development potential and zoning to
implement a planning program in the overall area ; and
WHEREAS , over the last 16 years , various joint planning studies including the Historic Rogers
Road Task Force Report and Mapping Our Community ' s Future , and collaborations with the
community and school district have suggested land use and acreage needs ; and
WHEREAS , Mayors for Carrboro and Chapel Hill and the Orange County Commissioners
Chair have agreed to jointly pursue an update to the 2002 Resolution and have been meeting
with respective management and supporting staff, as suggested by the elected officials at an
Assembly of Governments meeting in 2017 , to determine next steps for preservation and
development of the Greene Tract ; and
WHEREAS , on February 12 , 2019 the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and on February 19 , 2019
the Orange County Commissioners voted to approve a resolution to support adjusting the
property lines of the 104 - acre jointly - owned tract and the 60 - acre Headwaters Preserve , creating
a jointly- owned preserve , indicating land uses , and conceptually agreeing to consider
development of the Greene Tract ; and
WHEREAS , on February 20 , 2019 the Chapel Hill Town Council voted to approve the
exploration of ways to protect the County - owned Headwaters Preserve and a proposed jointly.
owned preserve area ; and
WHEREAS , the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools in a letter dated May 22 , 2019 , have
RES - 2020 - 001
indicated the district ' s continued interest in designation of a school site to be located on the
Greene Tract ; and
WHEREAS , on July 15 , 2019 the Chapel Hill Town Council adopted a resolution to support
adjusting the property lines on the tract and the Headwaters Preserve , creating a jointly- owned
preserve , and conceptually agreeing to consider development of the Greene Tract ; and
WHEREAS , at that time the Chapel Hill Town Council did not agree to designating the land
uses indicated on the maps attached to the Carrboro and County ' s resolutions ; and
WHEREAS , the three jurisdictions agreed conceptually to the following land use designations :
• Approximately 22 acres for joint preserve ;
• A minimum of 16 acres for public school site and public recreational facility site ;
• Approximately 66 acres for housing/mixed uses and
WHEREAS , the Chapel Hill Town Council also adopted a resolution on July 15 , 2019
committing to holding a series of community meetings , soliciting input from the public and
respective advisory boards regarding land uses and densities , initiate environmental and
connectivity assessment ; and initiate steps to protect the jointly - owned preserve and the
Headwaters Preserve in perpetuity ; and
WHEREAS , an environmental assessment would be based on the highest protective
environmental regulations of the three jurisdictions ( Carrboro , Chapel Hill , and Orange County)
and as also defined by the Army Corps of Engineers for wetlands determination ; and
WHEREAS , in the interest of working together , Carrboro , Chapel Hill , and Orange County
elected boards have considered this resolution to determine a joint path forward ; and
WHEREAS , each board will consider this resolution in January 2020 outlining next steps and
provide direction to their respective staff; and
WHEREAS , this resolution attempts to consolidate the differences and supersede the
resolutions adopted in February 2019 by the Carrboro Board of Aldermen and the Orange
County Commissioners and the resolution adopted in July 2019 by the Chapel Hill Town
Council ; and
WHEREAS , analysis of the Greene Tract ' s past, present , and future identified the following
land use needs and goals :
• Promote mixed- income housing opportunities ; development of housing that serves a
range of incomes
• Preserve valuable environmental features including tree canopy , open space , stream
buffers , and wildlife corridors ;
• Protect historical and cultural resources ;
• Promote cost effective infrastructure ;
• Incorporate school and recreation sites ;
• Earmark development areas for mixed income housing and mixed use potential ; and
WHEREAS , the staff work group considered direction from the respective governing boards ,
specialized staff, housing partners , and community in developing a conceptual process for the
RES - 2020 -001
Greene Tract .
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of
Commissioners :
1 . Jointly pursue an environmental assessment of the entire 164 acres to consider
designating the most environmentally sensitive area as the Headwaters Preserve with a
cost share Interlocal Agreement for that analysis of 43 /43 / 14 percent ( Orange
County/ Chapel Hill/Carrboro respectively) .
a . Environmental assessment of the site should include site topography , habitat for
species of special concern , wetlands , stream corridors , and cultural and historic
resources .
b . Best practical alternative shall be evaluated to balance environmental and
infrastructure needs ( i . e . roadway , water , sewer, stormwater , etc . ) .
2 . Jointly pursues a Memorandum of Understanding for future decision- making process .
This document will be used to ensure the parties participate in good faith in the planning
process for potential development of the Greene Tract . The document will describe
community outreach efforts .
3 . Jointly agrees to have a joint public information session that includes Orange County,
Chapel Hill and Carrboro a minimum of 2 months after the Environmental Assessment
has been completed by the consultant and received by the jurisdictions .
4 . Jointly agrees to not initiate formal further public engagement until completion of the
Memorandum of Understanding document .
5 . Jointly agrees any potential developers of the Greene Tract may rely upon and utilize the
environmental assessment contemplated herein and shall not be required to conduct or
obtain a separate environmental assessment .
6 . Agrees to discussion of the Greene Tract at the 2020 Assembly of Governments meeting
on January 28 , 2020 .
This the day of , 2020 .
,r
r
Penny Rich , Chair
Orange County Board of County Commissioners
ATTEST :
Donna Bake , Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners