AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE*
title
Glen Lennox Neighborhood Stream Restoration Project Funding.
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Robert Gehris, Engineer III, Public Works Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution to authorize a request for financial assistance from the State of North Carolina for stream restoration efforts in Glen Lennox Neighborhood.
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ACTION/DECISION POINTS*
Council must approve or deny funding of the proposed stream restoration project, contingent upon award of a stream restoration grant.
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT*
Per Item 5.3(l) of the Development Agreement between the Glen Lennox, LLC and Glen Lennox Shopping Center, LLC (the Developer) and the Town of Chapel Hill, dated December 10, 2014, and recorded in Book 5883, Page 11 at the Orange County Register of Deeds, the Town agreed to restore a section of stream within the Glen Lennox neighborhood, conditional upon receipt of a stream restoration grant.
State Statute 143-215.73B authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to issue development grants to municipalities for the purposes of improving water resources. The DEQ requires a resolution from Council with the submission of application for the Water Resources Development Grant.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
During development of the Glen Lennox neighborhood, the Town entered into a development agreement with the Developer. This development agreement committed the Town to restoration of an approximately 550-ft long section of stream between Flemington Road and N Hamilton Road, contingent upon the receipt of a stream restoration grant and the Developer’s dedication of a stream restoration easement. The Developer has drafted the temporary easement and is committed to dedicating it to the Town for the stream restoration work and subsequent two-year maintenance & monitoring period.
The enclosed resolution is a required material to submit for the DEQ’s Water Resources Development Grant.
TRADEOFFS, ALTERNATIVES, IMPACTS
If Council decides to not authorize the submission of this financial assistance application, the Town of Chapel Hill would not be able to fulfil its commitment to the Glen Lennox neighborhood as outlined in the neighborhood’s Developer’s Agreement.
If Council decides to authorize the submission of this financial assistance application, that will allow Town staff to submit a competitive application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the State’s annual Water Resources Development Grant program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed streambank restoration project is anticipated to cost $190,000 in total, with the DEQ reimbursing up to 50%, or $95,000, whichever is less. Funding will be allocated from the Stormwater Fund in FY27 if the grant is awarded to the Town.
ATTACHMENTS
Water Resources Development Grant_Proposed Resolution
Water Resources Development Grant_Application
Water Resources Development Grant_Concept Plan
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