Advoctes Push for Housing as Chapel Hill Holds Initial Greene Tract Vote

The Chapel Hill Town Council will discuss at a special meeting Monday night a resolution that, if passed, would mark a preliminary step forward for development of the 164-acre Greene Tract that adjoins the Rogers Road neighborhood.

In years past, Rogers Road residents have asked local municipalities to support development on the Greene Tract, in the hopes of bringing affordable housing and economic stimulation to their working-class, predominately black neighborhood that has often been neglected by local government in the past.

Greene Tract proposal in February 2019 Orange County Commissioners packet.

Community organizer Delores Bailey has been working with Rogers Road residents for around two decades. She first started working in that community as an organizer with EmPOWERment Inc., a housing advocacy nonprofit where Bailey is the executive director.

“I do think the town council needs to consider all this neighborhood has been through,” Bailey says, “and that these neighbors deserve an opportunity to have some improvements to their neighborhood in the way that they have requested.”

Bailey says she hopes to see council members pass the Greene Tract resolution so that more meaningful planning and discussion can begin. She says a yes vote would not commit the town to any specific parameters.

“Once that [resolution passes], more talking can happen,” Bailey says.

Some nearby residents have raised concerns over the possible loss of green space, saying the Greene Tract represents a shrinking amount of natural, forested land for residents to enjoy.

Bailey says she’s worried the discussion is pitting environmentalists against affordable housing advocates. She says both are worthy causes and a middle ground can be reached, noting that large swathes of land are already set aside in the Greene Tract for preservation.

“But we have to realize [that] we have to share what we are working with,” she said. “The resources are limited, and we have to share. I don’t want us to pit anything against affordable housing. But if you look at the need that we have in Chapel Hill – there’s no place for folks who are earning 30 percent and below. That housing is not being created for them.”

The special Town Council meeting starts at 7:15 p.m. on Monday in the council’s chambers in Town Hall.