DOWNTOWN VISION & IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Chapel Hill, North Carolina draft Developed from community input through the Rosemary Imagined & Downtown Imagined planning process Draft as of August 11, 2014 Have thoughts, ideas, or feedback? Let us know! Contact Megan Wooley (919-969-5059) and Meg McGurk (919-967-9440) or info@rosemaryimagined.com For more information visit www.rosemaryimagined.com
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How to Use This Plan 4 Affordable Housing 6 Multi-Family Housing 7 Space for Youth and Teens 8 Basic Services & Daytime Commerce 9 Appropriate Development & Redevelopment 10 Entrepreneurial & Innovation Hub 12 Utilities & Connections 14 Trolley 15 Bicycle Amenities 16 Connectivity: For Pedestrians, Bicyclists, & Drivers 18 Managed Traffic Congestion 20 Addressing Infrastructure Gaps 21 Active Street Life 22 Cultural & Arts Space 23 Attracting Desired Uses to Rosemary Street 24 Gathering Spaces 25 Buffers Between Neighborhood & Commerical Areas 26 Historic & Cultural Center 27 Design District 28 Parking 30 Green Spaces 32 hip & Collaboration 34 3
HOW TO USE THIS PLAN Vision and Implementation Plan The Downtown Vision and Implementation Plan provides visions and ideas for the future of downtown Chapel Hill. Within this plan, the visions are organized by the six themes of the Chapel Hill 2020 comprehensive plan which was adopted by the Town Council in June of 2012. The Chapel Hill 2020 comprehensive plan themes are: A Place for Everyone Community Prosperity and Engagement Getting Around Good Places, New Spaces Nurturing Our Community Town and Gown Collaboration s and for Implementation For each vision, a lead project manager and partners are identified. The lead and partners will be the doers, or the implementation gurus, for each of the visions. If your organization is interested in being a lead or a partner, let us know! All are invited to be engaged in the implementation of the plan we welcome your energy, creativity, 4
For each vision, one to three next steps are identified. These are the to do items for the lead and their partners. What about other ideas? Dig In! FT Great ideas were shared throughout the process to develop this plan, and we want to capture these within the Downtown Vision and Implementation Plan. Some visions contain an section that includes creative and engaging ideas that community members imagined and dreamed. D R A So dig in, start reading, highlighting, and deciding where you d like to help! Does a specific vision spark your imagination? Are you excited by one of the other ideas then join in, and be a part of the movement to implement these visions for downtown Chapel Hill. If you are interested in learning more or participating, visit www.townofchapelhill.org/rosemaryimagined 5
AFFORDABLE HOUSING Downtown, especially the Rosemary Street corridor, includes many different types of housing that is affordable to low and moderate income individuals and households. Identify opportunity sites for affordable housing on the Chapel Hill Land Use Plan and rezone these sites to allow for this use, if necessary. Partner with affordable housing providers and development partners to provide affordable housing in downtown Chapel Hill, especially along Rosemary Street. Housing and Communities Department CASA Community Home Trust Development partners EmPOWERment, Inc. Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Housing for New Hope Marian Cheek Jackson Center Self-Help Credit Union s Real Estate Team Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition Include more affordable rental housing in downtown Chapel Hill 6 A Place for Everyone
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING Downtown Chapel Hill, especially Rosemary Street, includes multi-family housing and provides market, workforce, aging-in-place, and student housing. Identify opportunity sites for multi-family housing on the Chapel Hill Land Use Plan and rezone these sites to allow for this use, if necessary. Economic Development Office Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Chapel Hill Downtown hip Housing and Communities Department Orange County Department on Aging Self Help Credit Union s Real Estate Team University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill A Place for Everyone 7
SPACE FOR YOUTH AND TEENS Downtown Chapel Hill has physical spaces and engaging programs that attract, interest, and educate young people. Provide spaces for youth and teens by utilizing currently available spaces and partnering with local organizations and funders to renovate and improve spaces. Further consider the option of providing several neighborhood spaces or one centralized, full service center. Provide youth and teen programing that is administered by multiple Town Departments, community organizations, and other municipalities. Use social media and other creative communication tools to reach youth and teens and to provide them with information about programming, events, and other happenings. Provide transportation opportunities for youth and teens to programs and youthfriendly spaces. Also consider creating youth-friendly transit information such as maps. Parks and Recreation Department Chapel Hill Public Library EmPOWERment, Inc. Marian Cheek Jackson Center Sacrificial Poets Street Scene Teen Center Transit Department Town of Carrboro Teen Center Town of Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department Volunteers for Youth Have a restaurant that offers a culinary arts/training vocational programs for youth Partner teens with businesses and organizations for job skills training and employment opportunities Build a skate park or bowling alley 8 A Place for Everyone
BASIC SERVICES & DAYTIME COMMERCE Downtown Chapel Hill, especially Rosemary Street, has many different businesses that are open during the day and serve everyday needs. Conduct a needs assessment and/or market study of the types of daytime and retail businesses that are needed in downtown. Attract the following services to Rosemary Street that are desired by the community: Bank (to the west end of Rosemary Street); 24-Hour Fitness Center; Gas Station; and Grocery Store. Attract these services and uses to the potential redevelopment sites as identified on the downtown concept plan. Economic Development Office Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Downtown and neighborhood residents Orange County Economic Development Office Install a branch of the Chapel Hill Public Library on Rosemary Street Community Prosperity and Engagement 9
APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT & REDEVELOPMENT Vacant and underutilized properties in downtown have been developed and/or redeveloped and revitalized. Encourage the development and redevelopment of the properties identified as possible redevelopment opportunities on the concept plan. Encourage infill development in appropriate locations. Chapel Hill Downtown hip Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Development partners Downtown business and property owners Economic Development Office 10 Community Prosperity and Engagement
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ENTREPRENEURIAL & INNOVATION HUB Rosemary Street, a center for creativity, growth,and connections, provides large and small physical spaces and infrastructure for start-up, expanding, and existing businesses and supports an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Identify opportunity sites for both large and small spaces for startups and expanding businesses and rezone sites to allow for commercial, retail, and office use, if necessary. Work with Launch Chapel Hill and other partners to provide educational and networking opportunities to new and expanding businesses. Attract a tech center to Rosemary Street that provides office space, co-working opportunities, and programs for businesses in all stages of growth. Chapel Hill Downtown hip Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Chapel Hill Public Library Economic Development Office Launch Chapel Hill Orange County Economic Development Office Kenan Flagler School of Business University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill s Chancellor s Office Provide inexpensive office space for youth and growing businesses Have a kitchen incubator space Provide space for pop-up businesses 12 Community Prosperity and Engagement
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UTILITIES & CONNECTIONS Downtown Chapel Hill has cutting-edge technology and infrastructure such as high speed internet that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Identify technology and infrastructure needs for downtown and develop a plan to implement this vision. Technology Solutions Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Public Works Department Utility Providers: Duke Energy, OWASA, PSNC Energy, and AT&T 14 Community Prosperity and Engagement
TROLLEY The downtown trolley is a delight to residents, visitors, and workers and travels throughout downtown and connects to downtown Carrboro. Conduct a feasibility review of having a trolley, or circulator bus, in downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Transit Department Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Chapel Hill and Orange County Visitors Bureau Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Planning and Sustainability Department Town of Carrboro Encourage entrepreneurial ways of getting people around downtown, such as pedicabs or jitneys Study best practices from Raleigh s R-Line, Durham s Bull City Connector, and Orlando s LYMMO Getting Around 15
BICYCLE AMENITIES Downtown Chapel Hill has a continuous bicycle system that is enjoyed by bicyclists of all ages and abilities and comprehensively connects downtown, neighborhoods, and the University. Implement the vision outlined in the Chapel Hill Bike Plan for Franklin and Rosemary Streets (adopted June 2014). Develop greenways/bicycle paths on the Nunn Lane extension, the realigned Mitchell Lane to Cameron Court, and Kenan Street extension, and the Mallette Street extension as identified in the Rosemary Street concept plan. Install bicycle-friendly stormwater drains that are safe for cyclists. Provide improved wayfinding and signage for cyclists such as a mapping of the bicycle network throughout Town and signed bike routes to various destinations. Connect this signage with directional signage in Carrboro. Planning and Sustainability Department Bicycle community and downtown businesses Chapel Hill Downtown hip Parks and Recreation Department Public Works Department Partner with the University to implement a bike-share program Paint the bicycle lanes according to artists designs Provide more bicycle parking on Rosemary Street 16 Getting Around
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CONNECTIVITY: FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS, & DRIVERS Downtown Chapel Hill is like a wheel with multiple spokes; the area has walkable, bikeable, and drivable connections within the downtown core and surrounding areas. Improve the formal and informal connections between downtown and the University; Rosemary, Franklin, and additional downtown streets; and downtown with the surrounding neighborhoods. Address right-of-way needs, and acquire the right-of-way. Develop a wayfinding system to help people understand where they area, navigate the area, and find parking. Planning and Sustainability Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown and neighborhood residents Parks and Recreation Department Public Works Department Increase the width of the sidewalks Increase the density on Rosemary Street to encourage more workability 18 Getting Around
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MANAGED TRAFFIC CONGESTION Downtown Chapel Hill has a steadily moving, head-ache free flow of traffic that mingles safely with pedestrians, buses, bicycles, and other modes of transportation. Address the traffic congestion downtown, especially on Columbia Street, by: - Considering rerouting or new routes for buses - Considering possibility of building bus-pullouts - Conducting an assessment of the need for a transit center, including studying possible locations - Analyzing traffic flow and light timing - Providing clear spaces for bicycles and pedestrians In the short-term, connect both Nunn Lane and Kenan Street to Rosemary Street as pedestrian/bicycle connections. In the long-term, study the feasibility of connecting both Nunn Lane and Kenan Streets to Rosemary Street as car connections. Public Works Department Bicycle community Planning and Sustainability Department Transit Department Provide car-sharing opportunities downtown such as Zipcar Expand bus service in the evenings and weekends 20 Getting Around
ADDRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE GAPS Downtown Chapel Hill has continuous public works infrastructure such as easily-navigable sidewalks and bike lanes and is visually attractive because of the buried powerlines and streetscapes. Address right-of-way issues needed to acquire ownership and make improvements to the streetscapes. Update information from Duke Energy on the feasibility and costs of converting from overhead and underground power (i.e., burying the powerlines), especially on Rosemary Street. Develop an infrastructure plan for solid waste, recycling, organics, and grease for downtown. Review lighting needs throughout downtown through a light audit and consider both traditional and non-traditional ways to provide more visibility. Identify designated loading and unloading zones for delivery trucks, and update Article V: Parking Meters, Section 21-35: Loading and unloading of delivery vehicles of the Municode to identify specific times for loading and unloading. Explore the options for municipal financing of needed infrastructure. Public Works Department Include electric car charging stations Install distinctive street lights Business Management Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Parks and Recreation Department Planning and Sustainability Department Technology Solutions Department Utility Providers: Duke Energy, OWASA, PSNC Energy, and AT&T Good Places, New Spaces 21
ACTIVE STREET LIFE Bustling, vibrant, magnetic, filled with surprising delights These are the words used by residents and visitors to describe downtown Chapel Hill. Encourage businesses and restaurants to expand their outdoor seating and eating areas. Expand and fund public arts programs such as Windows on Chapel Hill and mobile street performers, musicians, and artists to continue to bring creativity to downtown Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill Downtown hip Provide seasonal flags and signage along Rosemary Street as a part of a branding campaign Let stores and restaurants stretch onto sidewalks Have parking spaces for food trucks Have space for temporary public art and performers Arts community Downtown business and property owners Downtown and neighborhood residents Economic Development Office Parks and Recreation Department Public and Cultural Arts Office 22 Good Places, New Spaces
CULTURAL & ARTS SPACE Downtown Chapel Hill is a destination spot and focal point for cultural arts, entertainment, and recreation. Identify the steps needed to designate downtown Chapel Hill as an arts district which would emphasize downtown s cultural and creative identity. Develop Rosemary Street as a place for creative enterprise and focus on attracting unique businesses, non-profits, and retail. Provide live/work spaces for artists, musicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs, and invite them to have residencies on Rosemary Street. Public and Cultural Arts Office, Parks and Recreation Department Chapel Hill and Orange County Visitors Bureau Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Chapel Hill Downtown hip Chapel Hill Public Library Downtown business and property owners, including the Ackland Art Museum and FRANK Gallery Economic Development Office University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Require that new construction in downtown include high-profile public art to identify the area Have more alternative venues, art galleries and art studios Good Places, New Spaces 23
ATTRACTING DESIRED USES TO ROSEMARY STREET Rosemary Street contains services, businesses, and entrepreneurial opportunities that serve residents, visitors, and business owners. Community has expressed a desire for the following businesses/services: - Affordable Housing (see Affordable Housing Vision) - Bank (see Basic Services and Daytime Commerce Vision) - 24-Hour Fitness Center (see Basic Services and Daytime Commerce Vision) - Gas Station (see Basic Services and Daytime Commerce Vision) - Grocery Store (see Basic Services and Daytime Commerce Vision) - Historic and Cultural Center (see Basic Services and Daytime Commerce Vision) - Multi-Family Housing (see Multi-Family Housing Vision) - Tech Center (see Entrepreneurial and Innovation Hub Vision) - Parking (see Parking Vision) Attract a market and park to the Rosemary/Columbia Lot; if necessary, rezone the opportunity site to consider for a market and park at this location. Attract these uses to the areas identified as potential redevelopment sites on the downtown concept plan. Economic Development Office Attract a skate park and bowling alley (see Space for Youth & Teens Vision) Incorporate beer gardens and a climbing center Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Chapel Hill Downtown hip Development partners Downtown business and property owners Downtown and neighborhood residents EmPOWERment, Inc. Orange County Economic Development Office UNC Property Office and Real Estate Development 24 Good Places, New Spaces
GATHERING SPACES Residents and visitors are drawn to community gathering spaces in downtown Chapel Hill and spend their time relaxing, connecting, brainstorming, and enjoying life. Develop the linear park, as identified in the Rosemary Street concept plan, along Mitchell Lane to Cameron Court into a gathering space that includes a green market and café pavilions (see Green Spaces Vision). Program gathering spaces, such as the 140 Plaza and the green space at 123 W. Franklin Street, with activities for families and people of all ages. When new developments are proposed and built, include green space and familyoriented gathering spaces in the development (see Green Spaces Vision). Parks and Recreation Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Downtown and neighborhood residents Planning and Sustainability Department UNC Facilities Services Gathering Spaces Downtown 123 W. Franklin open space (coming soon) 140 West Plaza Hargraves Community Center Linear park from Mitchell Lane to Cameron Court (as identified in the downtown concept plan) Pocket park behind the Post Office McCorkle Place on UNC campus University Baptist Church Memorial Garden Include playground equipment for kids Have chairs in the gathering spaces that can be moved around Good Places, New Spaces 25
BUFFERS BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD & COMMERICAL AREAS A definition exists between the residential neighborhoods and the commercial uses in downtown that respects the neighborhoods and provides clarity for future development and uses. When new development is proposed downtown, ensure that the proposals are in keeping with the Northside Neighborhood Conservation District, the Cameron- McCauley Historic District, or the Franklin-Rosemary Historic District as appropriate. Place a landscaped buffer, such as trees, bushes, or attractive fencing behind the properties on Lindsay Street and the commercial properties on Rosemary Street, as shown in the Rosemary Street concept plan. When new structures are built along Rosemary Street, incorporate setbacks and stepbacks that respect the adjacent residences. When Roberson Street is realigned, develop a gateway to the Northside neighborhood, as shown in the downtown concept plan. Planning and Sustainability Department EmPOWERment, Inc. Housing and Communities Department Marian Cheek Jackson Center Northside neighborhood and downtown residents Preservation Chapel Hill Have gateways at the entrances to the Northside neighborhood 26 Good Places, New Spaces
HISTORIC & CULTURAL CENTER On Rosemary Street is located a historic and cultural center that celebrates the history and culture of the Northside neighborhood and the Midway community. Identify a location, preferably along West Rosemary Street, for the historic and cultural center and rezone the site for this use, if necessary. Identify an organization to operate the center and manage the programs. Work with partners to develop programs, presentations, and displays for the center. EmPOWERment, Inc. Marian Cheek Jackson Center Chapel Hill and Orange County Visitors Bureau Chapel Hill Public Library Housing and Communities Department Northside neighborhood and downtown residents Northside Elementary School Preservation Chapel Hill Use the historic and cultural center as an early voting site Good Places, New Spaces 27
DESIGN DISTRICT Downtown Chapel Hill uses zoning tools to develop an area that has human-scale buildings, is compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and uses, draws people into the area, and is a whole lot of beautiful fun. Develop zoning and design guidelines for downtown that identifies possible land uses, the form, and character of additions and new development. Possible new zoning uses suggested in this plan include zoning for: - Affordable Housing (see Affordable Housing Vision) - Commercial and office space for entrepreneurial businesses (see Entrepreneurial and Innovation Hub Vision) - Green Spaces (see Green Spaces Vision) - Historic and Cultural Center (see Historic and Cultural Center Vision) - Market and Park on Lot 2 (see Attracting Desired Uses Vision) - Multi-Family Housing (see Multi-Family Housing Vision) - Upzone surface parking lots (see Parking Vision) Note: The current zoning may allow these uses, and the parcels may not need to be re- zoned to accommodate these uses. Planning and Sustainability Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Downtown and neighborhood residents Have space for innovative architecture Encourage the heights of buildings to follow the grade of the street 28 Good Places, New Spaces
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PARKING Available Downtown Parking Downtown has many parking opportunities that enhance the viability of downtown and include well-hidden parking decks that are compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods and uses. Reevaluate the Parking Study conducted in 2008, and assess the current parking capacity and needs. Identify the current and future needs, and build parking to meet these demands. In the long-term, this goal should not be achieved through surface parking lots. Conduct a downtown parking assessment at the same time as a comprehensive onstreet parking study is conducted for the Northside and Pine Knolls neighborhoods, as identified in the Northside and Pine Knolls Community Plan (adopted in January of 2012). Parking Services Division, Police Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Economic Development Office Planning and Sustainability Department University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill UNC Department of Public Safety Provide designated scooter parking Include parking for expectant parents and families with small children 30 Good Places, New Spaces
PARKING, continued Better Utilization of Surface Parking Lots The previously-existing surface parking lots downtown now contain human-scale buildings that abut the sidewalk. In the short-term, identify opportunities to increase metered public parking on surface lots. In the long-term, rezone surface parking lots for higher uses, if necessary. Parking Services Division Police Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Economic Development Office Planning and Sustainability Department University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill UNC Department of Public Safety Use surface parking lots for festivals and street fairs, as identified in the Chapel Hill Downtown Streetscape and Lighting Master Plan (adopted June 2009) 31
GREEN SPACES Throughout downtown are small green spaces where people of all ages and abilities enjoy themselves. Develop the linear park, as identified in downtown concept plan, along Mitchell Lane to Cameron Court into a gathering space that includes a green market and café pavilions (see Gathering Spaces Vision). Connect the park at the UNC ITS Building with the linear park and green market/ café pavilions. Formalize the parklet that is located at the corner of Rosemary and Henderson Streets so that it is accessible and inviting. When new developments are proposed and built, include green spaces and other gathering spaces in the development (see Gathering Spaces Vision). Parks and Recreation Department Chapel Hill Downtown hip Downtown business and property owners Downtown and neighborhood residents Planning and Sustainability Department Public Works Department Create Civil Rights Memorial in one of the green spaces that honors local civil rights leaders; this could adjoin the historic and cultural center Include a sculpture garden in the park Encourage business to install green roofs, green walls, and solar panels 32 Nurturing our Community
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PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION Downtown Chapel Hill is the vibrant, magical place it is because of the visions and efforts of many partners, including the partnership between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Town of Chapel Hill. Partner on efforts to beautify and bring energy to downtown such as: Developing entrepreneurial opportunities for businesses in all stages of growth (see Entrepenurial & Innovation Hub Vision) Repurposing surface parking lots (see Parking Vision) Connecting the ITS park with the linear park along Mitchell Lane and Cameron Court (see Green Spaces Vision) And other awesome projects. Facilities Services at UNC Chapel Hill Planning and Sustainability Department at the Town of Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Downtown hip Economic Development Office Housing and Communities Department UNC Local Relations, Office of the Chancellor UNC Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life & Community Involvement 34 Nurturing Our Community
Developed from community input through the Downtown Imagined & Rosemary Imagined planning process Draft as of August 11, 2014 Have thoughts, ideas, or feedback? Let us know! Contact Megan Wooley (919-969-5059) and Meg McGurk (919-967-9440) or info@rosemaryimagined.com For more information visit www.rosemaryimagined.com 35