The Chapel Hill Town Council recently heard a concept plan for a student housing-multifamily development. If approved, Aspen Chapel Hill would provide 109 units for students and be located at 701 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Judy Johnson, the assistant planning director for the Town of Chapel Hill, spoke at the May 12 council meeting and shared feedback from the town’s Community Design Commission or CDC.
“A couple of the key points shared by the CDC include protection of the stream on the north side of this property and looking at the relationship between Columbia Place – the duplex development to the west of this property,” Johnson said.
If approved, the development would consist of 109 units and approximately 300 beds. Developers said amenities would include study spaces, a fitness center and a pool. Estimated rent for Aspen Chapel Hill is $2,270 per unit.
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said with the projected growth of UNC over the next several years, the town is receiving more proposals of student housing projects.
“UNC is slated to grow anywhere between four to six thousand students with their new data sciences program and just in general,” Hemminger said. “They’ve been mandated to grow.”
Despite this growth, UNC has not built any new residential buildings on campus. Hemminger said the town is meeting with the chancellor to determine how the two can grow together.
The Aspen Chapel Hill development would also include a 127 space two-story parking deck. Hemminger said this could help cut down on cars brought to Chapel Hill by students as the town looks ahead to a car-free future.
“It’s not surprising that we’ve got some developers proposing some student housing – trying to figure out how it fits in the community and how students don’t need as many cars between it will be right on a transit line,” the mayor said.
Hemminger said the town is interested in exploring how the development could help the town’s affordable housing goals. Aspen Chapel Hill included an affordable housing plan within their proposal.
This plan would lease two Aspen Chapel Hill units to the town for $1.00 per month for a 25-year period. These units would be administrated similarly to Union Chapel Hill with involvement from town stakeholders and nonprofit organizations.
The town is still considering the use of the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard location, as they plan for the future needs of Chapel Hill.
Photo via Town of Chapel Hill
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.
Why would student housing require more than one parking space per unit? It should have HALF of that parking or less.