What happened at the public hearing?

For those of us in the neighborhood around the proposed CVS development, it was so wonderful to see so many dfferent people at the public hearing and engaged in the process.  And it made a huge difference that the Aldermen recieved so much input through emails and letters.

Thank-you all for showing up, writing letters and spreading the word.  This is what an engaged community looks like.

Folks need to stay engaged.  CVS is planning to come back with a new plan and no one really knows what that will look like.

So what happened Tuesday night?

You can watch the tape here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZW8BI74Nes
Pay particular attention to 14:30-31:10  and 38:30

Also see here:
http://www.ci.carrboro.nc.us/BoA/Agendas/2013/02_26_2013.htm

We'll try to write this short blog to sorta explain things how we see it and update as we get more info.

The short answer is:

The town avoided a long, drawn-out public hearing on zoning by indicating to CVS that Aldermen were not inclined to change the zoning of that area.  CVS said they would come back with a plan that does comply with the current zoning.

The Mayor made it a point to explain at the public hearing the difference between the rezoning request and the conditional use permit.  Here is what we got out of it (don't know if we got it right):

The zoning decision is legistlatve and the town has broad authority on those matters.. The Aldermen can into take account public input on rezoning before and during a public hearing.  The Conditional Use Permit is a quasi-judicial decision.  Which means, like a court case, the Aldermen can only consider evidence during the public hearing and not before.  The relevant evidence would be about whether the planned development complies with the zoning and town ordinances (? ) (this is where our understanding is a bit fuzzy)..   

If CVS is serious about not changing ANY of the zoning, then none of their development could be on Center St.  This includes the parking lot on the corner of Weaver & Center St.  We're not sure if that is what CVS has in mind.  It appears the Developers could only use 3 properties along N. Greensboro St instead of 6 around the whole block. We aren't sure what this plan will be, but they said they would bring it to the town in April.

The shaded area on the map below appears to be 3 lots that CVS could use to build a 24-hour store and parking under current zoning designations.  Again, this is just our interpretation.. town planning staff would be the official source for this information.  

(click image to enlarge)

News coverage:

http://www.chapelhillnews.com/2013/02/27/75219/cvs-pulls-rezoning-request-for.html

Check out Patrick's thoughtful blog post on this development and important corner in Carrboro

http://citybeautiful21.com/2013/02/24/the-wrong-place-for-a-suburban-drugstore/

Stay Tuned!

Public hearing still set for Tues 2/26 (CVS still asking for last minute delays)

1.) Chapel Hill News Front page article

2.) CVS has requested a 3rd delay in the public hearing.  These delays can confuse the public

3.) The Public hearing is still set for 2/26.  Please come to the hearing.  Email the Aldermen and request that they open the public hearing.
Todays Chapel Hill News has a front page article about the 2/26 CVS public hearing:
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/2013/02/23/75126/carrboro-to-hears-new-cvs-plan.html

The public has been notified about the hearing through official Carrboro signs, radio, emails, newspapers and blogs.

On Friday 2/22 at about 4:20PM, CVS emailed the town to ask for another delay:
See the end of this email chain from Town of Carrboro's media list-serv:
https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!topic/official-correspondence/8DzrrxWu4wY

This is the 3rd time CVS has requested a delay:
The original public hearing was scheduled for last year, March 27, 2012.  CVS requested to delay the hearing until April 17, 2012.  In late March, 2012 CVS requested the hearing to be delayed indefinitely.  Now the public hearing is set for February 26, 2013 at 7:30PM. 

The Board of Aldermen will vote on whether to grant another delay on Tues.  It is really too late to delay this again and this is confusing to the public.

Please come to the hearing on Tues 2/26 and ask to speak about the CVS rezoning.

The Board of Aldermen have denied these requests for delays in the past.  For example, on Sept. 25th 2012, the Aldermen voted to hold a public hearing to rezone the property that Family Dollar was trying to build a store on.  There was a request by the property owners to delay the hearing.  The Aldermen opted not to delay that hearing.

Email the Aldermen and ask them not to delay the public hearing.
-this has been going on for over 2 years, it is now time to have a hearing
-this is the third delay requested
-this is confusing to the public

Aldermen contacts are here:
http://www.ci.carrboro.nc.us/BoA/boaMembership.htm

CVS Hearing, Letters & Center St. party on Sunday!

1. Make your plans to be at the Public Hearing this Tues. 2/26 at 7:30PM

http://centerofcarrboro.blogspot.com/2013/02/cvs-public-hearing-226.html

 

2. Keep the emailing your letters to the Aldermen & Mayor.  Do it ASAP so your elected officials have time to read them. Get them in by Monday at the latest.

Here are the contact emails for the Aldermen:

http://www.ci.carrboro.nc.us/BoA/boaMembership.htm

Click this link for ideas for letters:

http://centerofcarrboro.blogspot.com/2013/02/write-letters-before-226-hearing.html

 

3. Last night the Planning board voted against recommending the rezoning to accommodate the CVS. This is only advice to Board of Aldermen.  The Board of Aldermen will make the final decision.   http://chapelboro.com/Carrboro-Planning-Board-Votes-Against-CVS-Rezoning/15601874

 

4. Come to the Center Street neighborhood party this Sunday at 12-4PM  Details below

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/124860164362519/

Sunday, February 24, 2013

12:00pm until 4:00pm

• Center Street, Carrboro NC

• Come meet your neighbors and members of the Carrboro community this Sunday! We'll be gathering on historic Center Street in the Old Mill Village downtown, near Fitch Lumber. Come enjoy games, grilling, and good times. Center Street residents are opening up their lawns, porches, and driveways to host this community party. Live music Billy Sugarfix 2PM & possible porch jam later. Learn about the proposed development (CVS) that will affect this residential block and what you can do to get involved. More info here: http://centerofcarrboro.blogspot.com/ Walk, bike, or drive and park in the municipal lot on Weaver Street; there is no street parking on Center Street. 12 noon - 4 pm. All are welcome!

Write Letters Before the 2/26 Hearing

1. Come to the  Public Hearing:  Tues February 26th, 7:30PM, Carrboro Town Hall

2.  Look at this slide show to if you want to get an idea of what CVS is proposing to do:
Click here to see the presentation. 
Some of the newest CVS plans are slightly different, but not that much.

3.  Write letters to the Aldermen ASAP.  Specifically address the rezoning.  We suggest you put "201 N. Greensboro St. Rezoning" in the subject line.  This is because of a quirky way local government works.  The Aldermen will vote on 2 issues; The Rezoning and the Conditional Use Permit.  The Alderman can only take comments on the Rezoning before the meeting, but not the permit.

Actually when the town calls this the "Rezoning of 201 N. Greensboro St.", that is a bit misleading.  Its actually a rezoning of 100 Center St, 104 Center St, 103 Short St, 101 Short St,  203 N Greensboro and 201 N Greensboro St.  This is 6 out of the 7 properties on this block.  The rezoning is pretty radical since properties will be changed from residential and small commercial uses to heavy commercial uses that would allow 24 hour big box stores.  This rezoning takes place right next to the established historic residential neighborhood on Center St.  Plus this rezoning would remove the Downtown Neighborhood Protection overlay that was put in place to protect the adjacent residential neighborhoods.

Here are some ideas for letters to the Aldermen:

-This rezoning would reverse 40 years of town policy and zoning that has protected the historic downtown neighborhoods from heavy commercial development.

-Carrboro's 2020 vision document lays out several policies for downtown development.  This massive rezoning for CVS does not adhere to these policies:

• Policy 2.11: “Infill development should take place in a manner that...enhances neighboring areas.”
• Policy 2.42: “Development throughout Carrboro should be consistent with its distinctive town character. The town should adhere to policies that limit the widening of roads, encourage plantings alongside roads, preserve historic areas, buildings and older neighborhoods, and retain unspoiled green spaces and other natural areas.”
• Policy 3.1: “In the interest of environmental preservation, new commercial development must minimize negative environmental impact, it must emphasize appropriate buffers, and it must not compromise the integrity of established neighborhoods.”

- It is more appropriate and consistent with town policies is to keep the Fringe Commercial and residential zonings on Center Street and allow small businesses to thrive there.  An obvious example is the "Curl-up And Dye" salon on Center St.

-The current zoning already allows for heavy commercial development along Greensboro St (201 & 203 N. Greensboro St).  That is the appropriate place to have this heavy commercial development.  The Downtown Neighborhood Protection (DNP) should be kept on this block.

-CVS is already located in an area that is appropriately zoned for a 24-hour Pharmacy and Grocery Store.  There is no compelling  reason for CVS to move.  The current CVS store can expand in its current location.  CVS and Harris Teeter can work with the Carr Mill Mall to redevelop their current location if they wish to expand their stores.

-When CVS bought properties on Center St, they were aware that the current zoning would not allow heavy commercial on those properties for their 24-hour Parking lot.  There is no compelling reason that the Town of Carrboro should change their zoning  and policies to accommodate CVS corporation in moving their store.

Here is the contact emails for the Aldermen:

http://www.ci.carrboro.nc.us/BoA/boaMembership.htm

Also copy the town Clerk:

TownClerk@ci.carrboro.nc.us

CVS Public Hearing 2/26

Public Hearing:  Tues February 26th, 7:30PM, Carrboro Town Hall


Please tell the town that the citizens of Carrboro do not want a suburban style big box CVS in the Center of Carrboro. 

After a long delay, CVS has requested a public hearing on the rezoning of the properties of on the corner of Greensboro and Weaver St. in order build a 24 hour high volume CVS store and a parking lot.

The developers have submitted slightly revised plans to the town. 
You can see those site plans here and renderings here

Since these plans have changed very little, most-all of our previous concerns (and posts on this blog) have not been addressed..

We'll update the blog soon with further thoughts and information.

In order to make this zoning change to tear down Historic houses & large trees on this block, CVS must demonstrate that this zoning change advances public health, safety and welfare.
Please attend the hearing if you can.  Citizens can speak at the meeting and it would be best to comment on how this development will impact public health, safety and welfare.

And most importantly, please write your Aldermen to let them know how you feel about potential rezoning for this development and its effect on the center of Carrboro and the historic mill district.  Make sure that you specifically address the Zoning Change in your letters.  The Aldermen can only consider public opinion about the zoning change before the hearing.

Board of Alderman Contacts are here: http://www.ci.carrboro.nc.us/BoA/boaMembership.htm
Include the town clerk in your emails so they are assured become part of the of the public record.  TownClerk@ci.carrboro.nc.us

This is Not a Done Deal

The adjacent neighbors have filed a "Protest Petition" that legally triggers a 3/4 majority vote of the Alderman to change the zoning. see here.

This means 2 no votes would defeat this zoning.  We would like as many Alderman to vote no as possible.

Stay tuned for updates and if you have questions our contact is CenterOfCarrboro [at] gmail.com