CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill Town Council is looking for feedback Monday night on changes to the town’s stormwater management rules that could affect up to 150 homes.

In response to resident complaints, the council voted last December to loosen the stormwater management controls for new single-family homes. Previously, any project that disturbed more than 5,000 square feet of land required a mitigation system such as a retention pond.

But planning and installation of those ponds cost home-owners up to $30,000, an expense many told the council was a hardship. The council agreed, raising the threshold of land disturbance up to 20,000 square feet and including other mitigation options in the town ordinance.

Now the council will consider lifting the requirements for homes built under the decade old rule, meaning current home-owners could fill in their retention ponds if they can demonstrate that stormwater is being managed in another manner.

If the changes are approved, town staffers say they’ll waive any permitting fees involved in reviewing the new plans.

The council will also consider a proposal to build a free-standing, 5,000 square foot ABC store at Chapel Hill North on Perkins Drive.

The council meets at 7:00 p.m. Monday in Council Chambers at Town Hall.

AGENDA