With Chapel Hill Town Council member Rachel Schaevitz announcing she will be stepping down from her position to move to New Zealand, a council position will soon have an unexpected vacancy. With elections having passed in November, the town will use another method to fill the seat.

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger expressed mixed feelings after hearing the announcement, saying she is happy for her family to have the experience but sad to lose her from the council.

“She has been this wonderful bundle of creative and positive energy and very succinct in coming out with comments,” said Hemminger to 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck. “We’re figuring out the day in February she’ll be leaving and then we have an ordinance about a town process. I know people have been asking.”

With Schaevitz’s last day as a council member looming on the horizon, Hemminger has been busy assessing the process to find a replacement.

“It’s been defined that if a person does not announce they are leaving before a filing period ends then it’s a process of the council selecting the next person from a process of having applications,” Hemminger said. “We will be discussing this at a retreat and then coming back out with what that will involve.”

Applications for the open position will be announced after discussion at the town council retreat. Hemminger said that while she is sad to see Schaevitz go she is happy to see such high interest already from the community.

The town council retreat is scheduled the weekend of January 31.

Photo via the Town of Chapel Hill.

Related Stories
‹
Conversations with the Mayors: Social Districts, National Night Out and The University Games
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger speaks on the University Games, Social Districts, the return of students to UNC, and more.
Chapel Hill Mayor Launches Mask Campaign, Town to Distribute Free Coverings
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger launched a new campaign on Wednesday to promote wearing masks and protecting others’ health. The Safer for Everyone in Chapel Hill campaign is a non-legislative extension to the Orange County orders regarding masks in Phase 2. While the county and towns are requiring business owners to wear face coverings when […]
Chapel Hill to Stop Weekly Yard Waste and Bulky Item Collection This Month
The Town of Chapel Hill will be temporarily ceasing its weekly yard waste and bulky items collection in mid-April. The town government shared the news in a release on Thursday, citing the protection of its employees’ and residents’ health and well-being as a driving factor behind the decision. Beginning Saturday, April 18, Solid Waste Services […]
Chapel Hill Closes its Year of Bicentennial Celebration, Looks Ahead in 2020
Town of Chapel Hill. In addition to elections, new partnerships and development, it also celebrated its bicentennial anniversary. After wrapping up the celebration of Chapel Hill’s 200th anniversary of being a town, Mayor Pam Hemminger says 2019 was a very busy but positive year spent highlighting pivotal historical […]
Proposed West End Parking Deck Gets Approval From Chapel Hill Town Council
As the Town of Chapel Hill works to provide more parking while reducing its surface lots downtown, plans for a parking deck on the West End of Franklin Street are being developed. Town staff presented an updated proposal for a five-level parking deck to the Chapel Hill Town Council on November 20. The deck, located […]
Chapel Hill Cuts Ribbon, Opens Fully Inclusive Playground at Community Center Park
Chapel Hill leaders, parks and recreation staff, and families in the disability community gathered to open the new playground on Wednesday.
Chapel Hill Council Approves 300+ New Apartments, Retail Space on S. Elliott Road
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a conditional zoning request for 200 South Elliott Road, paving the way for a new apartment community.
Chapel Hill Collecting Feedback on W. Cameron Avenue Bike Lane Options Via Survey, Open House
Chapel Hill is asking for feedback of design options for future bicycle lanes on West Cameron Avenue through a survey and an open house.
Chapel Hill Shares Latest Pond Removal, Construction Timeline for Legion Road Housing and Park Project
The Town of Chapel Hill is beginning early stages to drain and remove both the pond and dam at its property off Legion Road.
Chapel Hill's 2025 Mayoral Race Gains Its First Candidate. Here's Who It Is
Chris Suttle, a cannabis lobbyist and consultant, announced his plans to run for Chapel Hill mayor during an open mic event Tuesday night.
›