8 Agenda items, a packed house & 4 1/2 hours of discussion

Summary:
– 2 Major road projects discussed (Potts/Sloan/Beaty & 115/ Railroad underpass)
– Town purchase of house for Davidson Housing Coalition
– 3 Developer pre-development amendment requests
– CATS presentation on North Corridor Bus & Light Rail studies
– Farmers Market designs
– Commissioner meeting schedules

1. Road Projects

2 road projects were reviewed that would add Roundabouts, Sidewalks & street connections, altering transportation and the Town of Davidson as we know it. Presented by NCDOT & project engineer Kimley Horn

Highlights:
– Town expects roughly $8 Million in Bonus Allocation funds from the I-77 widening project
– Planned sidewalks vary in width ranging 3 to 8 ft.
– Within the historic district State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) limits width to 5 ft. Outside historic limits, width can be 8 ft.
– Construction is tentatively planned for summer 2020.

Concerns:
– How many roundabouts is too many?
– The railroad underpass location is a marque entrance to Town and will have serious implications to the Burgess property (also marque). The Green School would also be seriously impacted, requiring a 10 ft. barrier wall and removal of trees.
– When asked ‘Why go up to 8 ft. in locations outside of the historic district where there is currently no sidewalk and they connect with 3 ft. sections’? The response, ‘Because that is allowed’.
– Is Town looking to spend the bonus allocation money because we have it or because we need these road projects?

OUTCOME:
Project engineers will follow up with commissioners after evaluating feedback collected at the Public info session held prior to the commissioners meeting.

Project Overviews:
I. Potts / Sloan / Beaty
– Extending Potts Street to Sloan Street
– Adding a multi-use path/sidewalk on Potts Street from N.C. 115 to Griffith Street
– Adding a roundabout at the Sloan Street / Griffith Street intersection

II. S. Main St. / Railroad underpass (Hwy 115 / Davidson St. / Potts)
– Modifications to the N.C. 115 (Main Street) / Potts Street intersection
– Potentially including a roundabout at Davidson Street and Potts Street

2. Purchase of Mock Road home for Affordable Housing

Consider approval of $210,000 for the acquisition & repairs of a house located on two lots at 153/155 Mock Road, that would be given to the Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC).

Highlights:
– Funds would come from the town’s affordable housing payment in lieu balance, currently ~$1M.
– The house is currently under contract w/ DHC and the Town would provide the funds.
– DHC plans on renting the unit
– There was confusion and details still unknown on the terms w/ DHC if the house were to be sold in the future.

OUTCOME:
Allocated $185k out of the affordable housing funds to purchase the house including closing costs. Additional costs for repairs and future/management of the property is TBD. More public discussion will be had.

Concerns:
– While affordable housing is a critical need in Davidson, funding the purchase of a house for a non-profit entity, with so many details unknown, concerned many citizens in attendance.
– This is an opportunity to diversify the Affordable Housing program with deed restricted land leased homes, similar to the College program that the UNCC report in 2017 recommended.
– 2 years after the UNCC report in 2017, Town is still not prepared or know how to incorporate naturally occurring affordable homes into the program.

3. Developer Pre-Development Consultations

Davidson Commons East Master Plan Amendment

Builder Jim Burbank is proposing to develop the remaining lot from the Master Plan that includes Woodies and the proposed Hotel on Griffith. The allowed impervious area for the Master Plan is not enough to develop, so he’ll need to get/borrow from other parcels within the same Critical Area watershed, aka “Density Average”.

OUTCOME: Follow is needed to clarify the rules

Highlights:
– Clarification is needed on exact rules for adjacent/adjoining parcels and averaging of parcels located in a different location.
– Density Averaging of Non-Contiguous parcels, per State requirements, is limited to 2 or a “pair” of parcels. A developer can’t use more than 2 separate parcels for averaging on one development site.
– Burbank is connected with an LLC that recently purchased properties within the critical area that might be options for averaging. One of them a former Habitat for Humanity lot on Shearer Street

River Run Phase 6 (Final Phase)

Similar presentation from the January 8th, 2019 meeting. The Developer is requesting approval to increase the number of units from 90 to 132 and zoning since the land overlaps two planning areas, Neighborhood Edge and River Run.

Highlights:
– 75 Acres // 132 Units // 55+ Age restriction (at least 1 householder).
– The land overlaps two planning areas, Neighborhood Edge and River Run.
– There are a total of 21 exceptions being requested.
– The adjacent parcel is in a flood plain (un-buildable) which is being used for the open space %.

OUTCOME: Commissioners expressed their concerns and approved the planning to continue, it will still have to come back to the board for final approval.

Villages at South Main

Davidson Village Investments, LLC requests to reduce the proposed unit count in block 1 by an additional two units.

OUTCOME: Pretty cut and dry request, the Commissioners approved the planning to continue.

4. North Corridor Transit Study Results

The LYNX system update is a regional study to reevaluate transit options in the region and update the system-wide plan with actionable projects.

5. Farmers Market (Downtown Community Gathering Space)

Update on revised plan for the downtown space based on feedback from the board of commissioners and downtown stakeholders (Davidson Farmers Market & downtown businesses).

6. Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule

BOC is considering adding quarterly meetings for additional opportunities to speak with the public and allow for comments. Updates to follow.