The Greene Tract is currently a plot of undeveloped land that is owned by Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro near the Rogers Road neighborhood.
In the past couple of years, nearby residents have asked local municipalities to support development of a portion of that area, in part, to bring economic vibrancy and affordable housing to a neighborhood long neglected by local government.
But that process is taking its time. Orange County Commissioners and Carrboro Aldermen have already passed resolutions setting the preliminary framework for development, but a Chapel Hill Town Council vote on a similar resolution has been delayed.
This week, residents of Rogers Road presented the council with a letter signed by community members calling on them to act now on the resolution
“I moved my wife into the neighborhood some 38 years ago today. And we moved into a two-bedroom mobile home on the very lot where we have a [large] house on,” Bishop Larry Reid told Chapel Hill elected officials at Wednesday night’s council meeting. “So that’s hope to me.”
Reid spoke to council members about the importance of housing in his community and what development of the Greene Tract could mean to the future of Rogers Road.
“And that’s what I’m asking us to continue to do now: grow together. And I believe with your help, our help, the community help we will make something absolutely marvelous for decades to come in that community. If you would just help us get that done.”
Reid called on the council to put the resolution on its June 26 meeting and approve it. That is the last council meeting before the summer break where there are typically no council meetings in July or August.
But Mayor Pam Hemminger was hesitant to do so, saying that while she and the council are supportive of development efforts, she wanted to make sure they did this process right.
“I don’t want anyone to give up hope, but I want everyone to know that we did it the right way…The goal was to do it right, and to have broad community buy-in and support and excitement.”
Council member Donna Bell responded saying she thought no new information was needed in order for the council to vote on this resolution and moving forward here would only represent a small, preliminary step forward.
“All we are asking for is for that resolution to be brought forward, the council votes on it, we approve it, so the conversation we’re going to have in September and the conversations we’ve already had can continue, but in a way to start figuring out those details.”
The resolution exchanges ownership of land on the jointly owned 164-acre parcel between Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro in anticipation of development. According to the proposed Future Land Use map attached to the resolution, 82 acres of land would be reserved for preservation, which includes the Headwaters Preserve. That would leave 45 acres to be developed for housing and commercial use in the near future. Another 15 acres could possibly go to a public school and a public recreational facility. The resolution passed earlier this year by Orange County and Carrboro had 22 acres designated for more potential housing. The letter from the Rogers Road community said that acreage “will remain as publicly owned, undeveloped land for the foreseeable future.”
After conversation on the council at Wednesday’s meeting as to the best steps forward, council member Allen Buansi suggested a special meeting during the summer to consider this resolution, and many of the council members voiced their support for that idea.
A motion to refer to the mayor and town manager to find a time during the summer for a special meeting of council members and town staff to consider and vote on the Greene Tract resolution was passed 6 to 1 with Donna Bell dissenting.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Hongbin Gu was the dissenting vote
Thanks for covering this topic and what happened at the recent Town Council meeting. What was not covered is that this tract is likely not a candidate for urban development. A market study revealed retail and urban densities could not survive. However, this land is a valuable tract and presents a tremendous opportunity to preserve trees and the natural environment and our local governments already own it! At the community meeting Rogers Road residents made it clear they are not interested in urban densities and gentrification but would like some affordable housing. People might be interested in joining on to Friends of the Greene Tract.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2187887474566142/