AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE
title
Open 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*
Open the public hearing, receive public comment, provide feedback on the draft text amendment, and continue the hearing to November 13, 2024.
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ACTION/DECISION POINTS*
Council shall approve or deny the proposed text amendment on November 13, 2024.
PROCEDURAL CONTEXT*
Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) Section 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 This approach ensures the continued application of the LUMO as originally intended, until it is eventually superseded by the adoption of a new LUMO.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 communities adversely.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Staff published legal notice.
ATTACHMENTS
Staff and Advisory Board Materials
1. Staff Report
2. Draft Staff Presentation
3. Analysis of Proposed Changes: Table 3.7-1: Use Matrix
4. Planning Commission Recommendation
Draft Ordinance and Resolutions:
5. Resolution A- Consistency
6. Ordinance A - Approving the Text Amendments
7. Resolution B - Denying the Text Amendments
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