The Chapel Hill Town Council race is picking up another challenger candidate, as restauranteur Elizabeth Sharp announced her plans to run for office on Monday afternoon.
Sharp shared her intentions to file in the race through a press release, formally launching her campaign after indicating her interest in running. In her message, she referenced her perception of “shortsighted development” in Chapel Hill as the driving force behind her decision.
Photo via Elizabeth Sharp.
Sharp is the co-owner of Hawthorne & Wood and Bluebird — two restaurants in town that she owns with her husband, Brandon — and moved to the town in 2016. While she has not held any positions in the town government before, she listed her experience as PTA president and on the School Improvement Team at Northside Elementary as key experiences.
In Monday’s release, Sharp said she “understands the importance of maintaining a diverse and flexible town” but has concern over Chapel Hill’s “ability to attract and sustain small business.” She said as a candidate, she believes the town has been emphasizing “quantity over quality” in development and wants to ensure new growth “enhances the local community rather than detracts from it” if she is elected. Sharp also listed policy goals of improving pedestrian and bicycle safety, building a strong relationship between the town government and UNC, and encouraging “human interaction and movement.”
Addressing a culture of “divisive civic discourse” is also part of Sharp’s candidacy, which she said she has experience doing through an ongoing social experiment. The Chapel Hill resident started a project to hug 1,000 people she disagreed with back in 2020, updating her progress on social media and explaining while differences can be had, “productive conversations” can still take place.
Chapel Hill is likely to draw a wide range of candidates on the ballot this fall, as four town council seats and the mayor position are up for election. Most recently, sitting council member Michael Parker said he would not run for a third term — meaning at least one seat will be filled with a challenger candidate. Other incumbents Jessica Anderson, Tai Huynh, and Amy Ryan have not yet publicly announced whether they are running again. Two challenger candidates have also launched campaigns to join Chapel Hill’s town council: Melissa McCullough and Michael Beauregard.
Other candidates in all of Orange and Chatham County’s local elections are expected to announce their intentions to run soon — as the formal filing period for the 2023 cycle begins on Friday.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
Aura Development Receives Support from Chapel Hill Town Council; Will Return for Final VoteThe Chapel Hill Town Council failed to fully approve the Aura Chapel Hill project, but voiced a majority of support for the mixed-used development proposed for Estes Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Town council members and the mayor voted 5-3 during their meeting on Wednesday night, meaning the project did not advance. Council […]
Chapel Hill Town Council Approves Aura DevelopmentThe Chapel Hill Town Council voted 5-3 to approve the conditional zoning request for the Aura development at a special meeting Monday night.
Traffic Analysis of Aura Development Presented to Chapel Hill Town CouncilThe Town of Chapel Hill recently hosted a public information meeting to discuss the traffic impact of the proposed Aura project - a mix-used development set for 1000 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Chapel Hill Advisory Board Officially Recommends Aura Project to Town CouncilA Chapel Hill advisory board met for a special meeting Monday to officially recommend the proposed Aura development to the town council - with a few conditions.
Proposed Mixed-Use Development in Chapel Hill Faces Traffic IssuesThe Chapel Hill Town Council recently gave early reactions and comments on the proposed Aura Chapel Hill development, which aims to be constructed at 1000 Martin Luther King Boulevard. The nearly 15-acre property, which also borders North Estes Drive, used to be a tree farm and has been largely untouched since being cleared in 2018. […]
Chapel Hill Council Shares Feedback on Housing, Flex Space Project off Weaver Dairy RoadThe Chapel Hill Town Council shared some early positive reviews of proposed housing and flex space development off Weaver Dairy Road.
Chapel Hill, DEQ Set to Share Draft Agreement for 828 MLK Boulevard's Coal Ash RemediationChapel Hill said the Department of Environmental Quality is preparing a public comment period on 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd for July.
Stormwater and Street Lights: Chapel Hill Town Council March 20 Meeting HighlightsThe Chapel Hill Town Council addressed a conditional zoning request, right-of-way closure, and LUMO text amendment on March 20.
Aura Chapel Hill Project Rebrands to Booth Park; Developer Shares Insight on Vision, TimelineThe future Aura Chapel Hill project recently underwent a rebranding meant to feature its main public amenity: Booth Park.
Elizabeth Sharp Becomes Latest Chapel Hill Town Council Candidate to Launch CampaignThe Chapel Hill Town Council race is picking up another challenger candidate, as restauranteur Elizabeth Sharp announced her plans to run for office on Monday afternoon. Sharp shared her intentions to file in the race through a press release, formally launching her campaign after indicating her interest in running. In her message, she referenced her […]
›
