Council Economic Sustainability Committee,   December 9, 2016,   8:00am – Town Hall, Planning Dept.

AGENDA:

VISION: Taking our place on the national map as a world class center for research and development.

MISSION: Support opportunities to put Chapel Hill’s people to work, and create economic prosperity for all, now and in the future.

1. I-2 Zoning District…………………………………Mary Jane Nirdlinger
   BACKGROUND: Beginning in February 2016 the Council Committee on Economic Sustainability, as a goal of the Commercial Development Strategy, asked the Manager and staff to look at drafting a new zoning ordinance to accommodate a group of like businesses growth opportunities. Staff has been working for the last six months to draft the ordinance and meet with property owners to discuss. One Concept Plan has been submitted and reviewed for a project
   Action Item: Consider approach to annexation & continue to Public Hearing on February 20, 2017.
   
   

2. Proposal for Town property at Millhouse………Dwight Bassett
   BACKGROUND: Council has reviewed a Concept plan and the applicant wants to consider replacing the two (2) 12,000SF buildings on the west side of the railroad side of Millhouse with a series of smaller shops that could accommodate early start-up and other businesses.  This could include artist, potters, plumbers and the like.  They would have a front customer entrance and a rear service and employee parking. 
   Action Item: Encourage staff and attorney to continue exploration of the ability to use the two small Town owned parcel with this project.
   
   

3. Incentive Policy……………………………………Dwight Bassett
   BACKGROUND: Beginning in February 2016 the Council Committee on Economic Sustainability, as a goal of the Commercial Development Strategy, asked the Manager and staff to look at working with Orange County to draft a joint Incentive policy. We drafted a Framework that we shared in a joint Town/County meeting in June and have been continuing to redraft a policy to present.
   Action Item: Forward to County Commission for further consideration.
   
   

4. Lease of former Planning space for start-up…Dwight Bassett
   BACKGROUND: As a part of renovation of the east end of the 3^rd floor of Town Hall, we rented 1500SF to use as a temporary home for Planning.  They have moved back to Town Hall and our lease runs till next May.  We could use the space for early stage growth companies if there is a demand and I have reached out to Dina Rousset to look at opportunities for Launch graduates.  We can also explore expending the lease if there is a demand.
   Action Item: Continue the conversation with Launch about the need for the space, ability to extend the lease and return to the January meeting with a recommendation.
   
   

5. Wallace Deck update……………………………….Lance Norris
   BACKGROUND: At the October Council Committee on Economic Sustainability an idea of building on top of the Wallace Deck was discussed.  The Committee asked the Manager and staff to follow-up and pursue a flexibility analysis like fro 2008.
   Action Item: Return to Council Committee as work is completed.