TITLE: Title
Developing a Scope of Work for a Comprehensive Plan for Carrboro
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to provide the Board of Aldermen with an opportunity to consider a draft scope of work for the development of a comprehensive plan for the Town.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Trish McGuire, pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org <mailto:pmcguire@townofcarrboro.org>, 919-918-7327
INFORMATION: The Board of Aldermen reviewed a first draft of a scope of work for the development of a comprehensive plan on March 26th. An updated draft incorporates a number of comments and additional information in underlined text, as described below.
1. Importance of leaving room to discuss points of tension and how those areas can be worked through. Important for community engagement to be fun and spark creativity and involvement. Recognize possible need for a reality check with the consultant’s timing and their timeline. Remain open to those changes. Comments addressed in part, more work in progress. See edits in Project Purpose section.
2. Recognize income inequality and the erosion of the middle class. Topic listed in Recent questions/key trends section. Summary data tables to be included in next update.
3. Be clear what the costs are going into the planning process so that the Board can be aware of the actual costs of the time. Include both commercial and residential affordability. Reference the Jones Ferry, Greensboro, and HWY 54 development corridors that are available for redevelopment. Cost details in preparation. See edits in Major themes and Recent questions/key trends sections.
4. Engagement piece is very important - ensure hours estimated are enough to thoroughly engage the community. Clarify how GARE initiatives will be implemented in the Comprehensive Plan work. Comments addressed in part, additional information to be added. See edits in Background and Overview of the Planning Process sections.
5. Refer to climate change initiatives as “Climate Action/ Extreme Weather Preparedness Mitigation and Resilience.” Work with HOAs and community groups to meet where they are. Include two Carrboro Business Alliance seats in the Task Force structure. Describe process for checking in on progress during the creation of the plan. Comments addressed in part, additional edits to be made. See edits in Major themes and Comprehensive Plan Task Force Structure sections.
6. Make sure that this does not distract from immediate climate action plans. Include follow-up from the parking study brought forward as a plan and included as part of the comprehensive plan. See edits in Overview of the Planning Process.
7. Summarize in introduction how Town has changed over 20 years. Engage students and the UNC-Chapel Hill planning program. Data review for summary in preparation. Some possible research topics have been shared with DCRP - communication on other opportunities is expected to be ongoing with this and other programs.
8. A draft of the consultant services has been added.
Work continues on some scope elements. Staff anticipates continued refinement of the scope between now and June in order to allow advertisement for consultant’s services by July 1, 2019. The goal of this effort is to prepare a plan that would guide development and Town operations in ways that are equitable, environmentally responsible and fiscally sustainable.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Costs are estimated to total $ 400,000 over two years, with approximately $250,000 for consultant services.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Board of Aldermen discuss this matter and convey additional comments for further development and completion of the scope.