Orange Town Council notebook

The following are notes from the Jan. 17 Orange Town Council meeting.

Round Hill proffer changes approved
The Orange Town Council agreed last week to allow changes to the Round Hill/Uptown North Orange development proffer statement. Previously, owner Carl Owens was obligated to engineer and build the first phase of the May-Fray Avenue Connector road, linking existing May-Fray Avenue to Woodmark Street, within five years of the owner's completion of the construction plans and right-of-way plats for the road and the town's subsequent acquisition of the necessary right-of-way agreements. The road is intended to alleviate traffic associated with Owen's intended 135-acre mixed use Round Hill development project on Route 15.
Now, because Round Hill hasn't been developed, Owens said he can't find a builder willing to take on the project with the proffer attached to it. A few months ago he issued a proposed revision to the proffer statement. A public hearing was held last month and the change was approved by council members last week.
The changes required Owens to provide a complete set of road engineering plans for both phase I and II of the May-Fray Avenue Connector road along with the right-of-way plats to the town by September, with approval by March 2013. The changes alleviate Owens of having to fund the construction of the road. Owens has also agreed to fund up to $150,000 for the acquisition of any necessary right-of-way agreements, should talks between the town and landowners falter.
Town of Orange Director of Community Development and Planning John Cooley said the proffer changes will give the town something to take to each affected landowner and explain what is needed to make the construction of the road happen. He also said having a full set of plans will better enable the town to go after grants to fund the project.
Council member Kent Higginbotham suggested that priority be placed on finishing the plans for the first phase of the road, before completing plans for the second phase. The second phase would continue from Woodmark Street to the Round Hill development, near the existing Holiday Inn Express.
"The second phase is really pie in the sky," Higginbotham said. "With phase I, there is an immediate benefit. It would be a functional piece of road, alleviating congestion along Route 15. It would benefit every business down there."
Owen's architect Frank Cox agreed.
"This [road] may be built in two or three sections," he said. "Our schedule is to accelerate the engineering in hopes you all will accelerate the building of the road. We will do everything within our power to meet your timeline for the first phase."
The proffer changes were approved 4-0. Higginbotham abstained.

Langston-Harrison appointed to town BZA
Town council members unanimously supported the re-appointment of Leigh Langston-Harrison to the town's board of zoning appeals. Harrison's term on the board recently expired, along with the term of Suzanne Bresee. According to town clerk Wendy Chewning, Harrison wished to serve again, while Bresee did not. Bresee's vacancy has not yet been filled, although the position has been advertised.

Meeting moved
The town council unanimously approved the rescheduling of the regular February meeting from Monday, Feb. 20 to Tuesday, Feb. 21 due to the President's Day holiday.

Next meeting
The council will next meet Feb. 6 at 6 p.m., during which time members will begin discussing the budget.