TITLE: Title
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.
Town owned 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 October, staff has been studying options for a public process to appropriately rezone the property and to create a "shovel-ready' project for possible RFP. Options include 1) annexation of the property, applying for rezoning and moving through the Town's public planning process 2) apply for rezoning and move through a joint public planning process with Orange County. Attached is a timetable for two possible approaches for the Town to consider zoning for this project (see attachment 2). Staff is seeking direction from the Board on which approach to take.
The 22 acre parcel is currently zoned RR, Rural Residential. The property co...
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