Town of Chapel Hill header
File #: [24-0525]    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Land Use Management Ordinance Text Amendment Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 10/22/2024 In control: Town Council
On agenda: 11/13/2024 Final action:
Title: Close the Legislative Hearing: Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) Text Amendment to Address Technical Corrections in Article 3, Table 3.7-1: Use Matrix.
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Resolution A – Resolution of Consistency, 3. Ordinance A, 4. Resolution B – Denying the Application, 5. Draft Staff Presentation, 6. Planning Commission Reccomendation for LUMOTA, 7. Staff Presentation, 8. A RESOLUTION REGARDING AMENDING THE CHAPEL HILL LAND USE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 3, TABLE 3.7-1 USE MATRIX AND CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (2024-11-13/R-6), 9. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 3, TABLE 3.7-1 USE MATRIX OF THE CHAPEL HILL LAND USE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE REGARDING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS (2024-11-13/O-1)
Related files: [24-0452], [24-0490]

AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ITEM TITLE*

title

Close the Legislative Hearing:  Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) Text Amendment to Address Technical Corrections in Article 3, Table 3.7-1:  Use Matrix.

presenter

RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*

Anya Grahn-Federmack, Principal Planner, Planning Department.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION*

The Town Manager recommends approval of the text amendment in Ordinance A.

body

ACTION/DECISION POINTS*

Council shall approve or deny the proposed text amendment on November 13, 2024.

PROCEDURAL CONTEXT*

Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) 8.1 requires the Town Council, in its legislative capacity, to consider proposed amendments to the LUMO or the zoning atlas.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*

Technical Corrections Initiative.  Staff has identified several technical corrections needed for the Use Matrix.  These errors include:

                     Use-Zone Misalignment

                     Blank Spaces

                     Error in Zoning District Acronym

                     Missing Punctuation

                     Omission of Footnote

This text amendment is focused on technical corrections.  Any substantial changes to where uses may be allowed will be incorporated into the LUMO Rewriting Our Rules project.

TRADEOFFS, ALTERNATIVES, IMPACTS

The LUMO acts as the primary zoning ordinance for development projects.  If the Council chooses not to approve the proposed text amendments, the existing Use Matrix will continue to be enforced for development applications.  However, due to occasional misalignments between uses and appropriate zoning districts, this could result in developments being approved or constructed in areas where they are not intended. 

Should the Council decide to adopt the proposed ordinance, the changes would take effect immediately.  This approach ensures the continued application of the LUMO as originally intended, until it is eventually superseded by the adoption of the new LUMO.

COMPLETE COMMUNITY CONNECTION

The Complete Community Strategy recognizes the need for growth in the Town to diversify housing options.  It aims to manage this growth in line with the Chapel Hill 2020 comprehensive plan vision and the Future Land Use Map principles.  Currently, the LUMO’s Use Matrix misaligns intended uses with appropriate zones and processes like special use permits.  Making these technical corrections is crucial to ensure development proceeds as intended. 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION

If the Council decides against adopting the proposed text amendments, the current Use Matrix will remain in effect for evaluating development applications.  This situation may lead to occasional discrepancies between intended uses and zoning districts, potentially allowing developments to proceed in areas where they are not ideally suited.  Such misalignments could worsen existing disparities and unintentionally impact marginalized community adversely.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Staff published a legal notice.

ATTACHMENTS

Ordinance and Resolutions

1.                     Resolution A- Consistency

2.                     Ordinance A - Approving the Text Amendments

3.                     Resolution B - Denying the Text Amendments

4.                     Staff Presentation

Staff and Advisory Board Materials

5.                     Link to Materials from the October 9, 2024, Legislative Hearing <https://chapelhill.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6878302&GUID=B48FAC14-5890-4D02-855E-2E4FADF6D453&Options=&Search=>

6.                     Planning Commission Recommendation

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