A proposed development, which could bring apartments and townhomes to two busy Chapel Hill roads, is set to share updates with the community this week.
The Town of Chapel Hill will hold a community meeting to discuss the expected traffic impacts of the Aura Development proposed for Estes Drive. Set for Wednesday, February 10, the meeting will feature a presentation from the town’s traffic consultant.
The proposed 16-acre project could include 360 apartments, 55 townhouses, as well as space for offices and retail. Since it’s to be located on the northeast corner of North Estes Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, members of the Chapel Hill Town Council have expressed concerns about congestion on two of the town’s busiest roads.
Trinsic Residential Group, the Texas developer behind the Aura Development, proposed right-turn only entrances and exits on to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as well as a roundabout on Estes Drive pending approval from the State Board of Transportation. The community meeting is set for 6 p.m. and the town traffic consultant’s presentation will focus on the anticipated impacts as well as the proposed mitigation efforts.

Concept art of the buildings and walkways at the proposed Aura Development off North Estes Drive. (Photo via Trinsic Residential Group.)
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger recently spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell about the town’s desire to incorporate the community’s feedback as they continue to weigh their options.
“This development project will go through all the stages, all the different boards, and there’s plenty of time and ways for the public to contribute input to this project,” Hemminger said.
Community members can register to attend the virtual meeting here. More information about the development as well as future meetings on the topic can be found on the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.
Concept art courtesy of Trinsic Residential Group
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
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 […]
![]()
The Evening News: Judicial Forum, Alert Carolina, School Board MeetingThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the afternoon news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear from local leader Rani Dasi on an upcoming Judicial Candidate Forum. We hear a Carolina Connection story on the Alert Carolina system and criticism of it's (lack of) use earlier this year. In local government, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education meets tonight. Among other agenda items, they will swear in new board member Tongde Wu. We also hear a local business update, and more. In sports, we hear from newcomer Angelo Brizzi, and more.
![]()
Chapel Hill: Inter-City Visit, LUMO Update, Upcoming EventsChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, October 1, discussing town news and events. She recapped the recent Inter-City visit organized by the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill Carrboro, in which community leaders visited Charlottesville, Virginia. She discussed some of the key takeaways, noticeable similarities, potential ideas to incorporate going forward. She also talked about the group's experience riding Bus Rapid Transit in Richmond. She updated the LUMO rewrite process, looked at some upcoming town events, and more.
![]()
The Morning News: Alert Carolina, Armed Robbery Arrest, Seth Jarvis Helping KidsIn today's news: UNC students raise concerns about Alert Carolina, and Chapel Hill police make an arrest in yesterday's armed robbery.
![]()
The Morning News: Chapel Hill Library Card Fees, CHCCS RedistrictingIn today's news: Chapel Hill imposes a library-card fee for out-of-towners, in response to county-level funding cuts.
![]()
The Morning News - Medical Debt Relief From Binkley Baptist, School Board and Commissioners Meet, and MoreThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey fills in for Aaron Keck with the morning news. Included in this edition of the news, more on a program from Binkley Baptist Church to honor senior pastor Marcus McFaul by establishing a medical debt relief fund. We also look at the local government meeting schedule, which includes a joint meeting of the two county school boards and the county commissioners, and more. In sports, a Tar Heel golfer sets a record, Bill Belichick responds to corrective actions in his program, and more.

As Durham Trial Begins Over the Murder of Faith Hedgepeth, Here's What to KnowMonday marks the beginning of jury selection in the long-awaited trial for Miguel Salguero-Olivares, the suspect in Faith Hedgepeth’s murder.
![]()
The Evening News - Board of Trustees, New School Board Member, Football InvestigationThe Hill's Andrew Stuckey presents the evening news. Included in this edition of the news, we hear a breakdown of the contents of the Board of Trustees meeting. We get more details on the newest member of the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. In sports, we hear from Athletic Director Steve Newmark on the recently concluded investigation into the football program, and more.
![]()
The Morning News: New CHCCS Board Member, Newmark on UNC Football ProbeIn today's news: the CHCCS board appoints a new member, and UNC athletic director Steve Newmark addresses the recent football investigation.
![]()
Chapel Hill: Library Patron Fee, $10 Million Parks Gift, LUMO UpdateChapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 24, discussing town news and events. She recapped the recent meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council, which included a unanimous vote to institute a $65 library card fee for residents outside of Chapel Hill. She also recapped work and timeline for the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) rewrite, and more. She shared details of a $10 million gift to the town for parks and recreation, and more.
›