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Concept Plan for Affordable Commercial - Development Potential of Old 86 - Town Owned Property
PURPOSE: The purpose of the agenda item is to update the Board on information and gather feedback from the Board of a proposal by staff to develop town-owned property for affordable commercial flex-space.
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
CONTACT INFORMATION: Annette Stone, AICP, ECD Director
INFORMATION: Available affordable space for flex warehouse/light manufacturing is very limited in Carrboro, therefore the Board of Aldermen directed staff to identify opportunities to lift barriers to develop this type of space. Availability and cost of land is a limiting factor affecting commercial development and the town's ability to attract or retain light manufacturing companies. Staff reported preliminary findings to the Board in May 2017 after initial community input and has been working over the summer to seek alternative financial models, such as co-ops, grant funding sources, and continue to refine the site plan concept for estimating purposes.
The property, located approximately one mile north of Calvander was originally purchased by the town in 2001 for $767,000 and was intended for a new public works facility. The town has now determined that this location is no longer needed for that purpose, therefore staff has begun studying the property for commercial development potential. Preliminary study reveals a building program of approximately 90,000 square feet of warehouse/flex commercial space is possible (see attachment 1). Since last reported to the Board in May, staff has been working with local design professional Jim Spencer, to refine the site concept plan to reduce cost and lessen potential impacts to neighboring properties.
The 22 acre parcel is currently zoned RR, Rural Residential. The property could be rezoned to for an Office/Assembly district which would allow for light manufacturing low impact commercial uses th...
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