A residential component for the South Green development in Carrboro passed its final procedural hurdle with the town council earlier in February, setting up the future addition of dozens of condo units.
The proposal for South Green Flats met all the necessary conditions — with several more added to the special use permit the Town of Carrboro has for the South Green mixed-use development at Two Hills Drive — leading council members to unanimously pass the project in their consent agenda on Feb. 4 after holding a public hearing to hear more from project managers and community members two weeks prior.
Inspired by both the COVID-19 pandemic and opportunity to add modest density with modest pricing, Legacy Real Property Group brought the idea to the council in 2023 as a new partner in the South Green project after buying Lot 2 of the site. Currently, the land serves as overflow parking for patrons of businesses in the buildings on Lot 1 and 3 before rising into a hill that crests near Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Lincoln Center property.
The for-sale housing elements will be constructed to the east from the current buildings and further from South Greensboro Street, and will bring at least 57 residential units to a trio of two- and three-story buildings. The flats will be either one- or two-beds, with sizes ranging from roughly 650 to 1,100 square feet.
According to Legacy and the project managers, up to 5,300 square feet of commercial space could be on the ground floor of the biggest building to add to the existing businesses in the development. The approved permit, however, also allows that space to be replaced by seven ground-floor dwelling units if the developers choose to pivot during construction.
An aerial site plan of the South Green Flats development, showing the layout of the three buildings compared to the existing South Green development. (Site plans via Legacy Real Property Group/Ballentine Associates.)
A rendering of the dog park and outdoor play space by one of the two condo buildings and the clubhouse of South Green Flats. (Photo via Tise-Kiester Architects/Legacy Real Property Group.)
Because of its zoning, Carrboro conducted the public hearing in a quasi-judicial manner and the council’s vote was contingent on whether the project aligned with the town’s land use plans for the area. Town staff and the developers collaborated to add seven additional conditions to the special use permit for the project — building upon the initial 47 for the South Green’s original developers — including requiring 15% of the units to either be affordable housing or have their value matched by a payment in lieu to the town and allowing less open space on the site in exchange for meeting the “downtown livability area” standard.
The developers’ presentation to town council member confirmed, though, the addition of some outdoor amenities which aim to meet some open space qualities. Filling the corner between the clubhouse building and one of the main residential buildings will be a fenced dog park, space for outdoor games, a covered seating area, and a garden. The site plans also call for racks to hold dozens of bicycles among its maximum of 181 parking spots across the lot — some of which will be contained in an underground parking structure.
Some concerned residents along Purple Leaf Place asked for additional screening to be provided from the three-story building looking toward their properties. The developers said they are adding trees along the roadway in front of the lot, but are limited by an Orange Water and Sewer Authority easement there. Additionally, town staff testified that the current screening measures qualify under Carrboro’s current land use ordinance.
According to South Green Flats’ website, the future neighborhood is already taking reservations on units. The full Jan. 21 Carrboro Town Council meeting featuring the public hearing on the project’s special use permit can be watched on the town’s YouTube channel.
Featured photo via Tise-Kiester Architects/Legacy Real Property Group.
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 newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines