CHAPEL HILL – The Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously adopted the controversial Central West small area plan Tuesday night.  During the ten months it took to draft the plan, members of the committee charged with the task disagreed at each step along the way.

But committee member Julie McClintock, who has been one of the most outspoken about her frustration over the process, said that she feels content with the decision because the Council agreed it would consider conducting wider studies on the impacts of traffic and growth to the Town.

The Central West Small area plan outlines future development near the intersection of Estes Dr. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. It calls for three- to five-story buildings with retail, office, and a mix of uses along Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and smaller residential development along Estes Dr.

“We need to know what’s going to be the impact of all the millions of square feet that are now going to be approved down on 15-501, or at Glenn Lennox. All of those cars aren’t going to stay in their little bubble. They are going to travel all over town,” McClintock said. “I was very pleased, and I thought the Council conducted an interesting, deep discussion on all these town-wide planning efforts. It is very needed, and I am very glad it occurred.”

Along with several members of the Central West Steering Committee and neighbors in the area, McClintock formulated what they called a lower-density “alternate plan,“ along with a 260-signature petition asking the council to study development impacts on traffic, storm water control, and the cost of town services.

“I think we feel fairly confident the council is committed to doing these town-wide studies and that they are going to do those before they go ahead and do rezoning. That makes a lot of sense,” McClintock said.

The Council didn’t adopt the alternative plan Tuesday but did decide that it should be included as an official document.

“I think the idea is in it. It [the Citizen’s Plan] did get utilized to some extent,” McClintock said. “There are, of course, some differences.”

Some area residents were ultimately displeased with the Committee’s plan, and stuck by their assertion that the development would bring too much traffic to the already congested roads.

Related Stories
‹
Town Council Unanimously Approves Central West Plan
After nearly a year of community discussion, the Chapel Hill Town Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a plan for the future of the Estes Drive area.
Central West Goes Before Planning Board, Disagreements Continue
"...why would you not want to deal with it?”
Central West Makes Progress, Many Still Skeptical
“It is time for us to make decisions..."
CHTC Hears Criticism Of Central West Committee
Some residents of the area told the council Monday they’re not happy with the direction of the Central West Steering Committee.
Orange County Clerk of Court Mark Kleinschmidt Wins State, National Honors
Orange County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Kleinschmidt has been recognized with two awards – one statewide and one national – in recognition of his service. Kleinschmidt received the North Carolina Guardianship Association’s Trailblazer Award last week in Asheville, recognizing his two terms as Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge. In legal terms, guardianship […]
Climate Action, A New Hotel and Downsizing Council? Highlights from Chapel Hill Town Council's Apr. 15 Meeting
The Chapel Hill Town Council held its first official business meeting of the month on Wednesday, Apr. 15 to cover a full agenda — which included discussing affordable housing funding, ongoing climate action efforts, parking incentives for a hotel project, and more.
Chapel Hill to Resume Conversations for West Rosemary Street Hotel With Public Hearing
This week, Chapel Hill is resuming talks for a proposed hotel development in its downtown along West Rosemary Street.
Local Government Meetings: March 23-27, 2026
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners and Orange County school board are set to meet after seeing their prior meetings postponed.
UNC-Founded Eats2Seats to Create Entrepreneurial 'Third Space' with New Franklin Street Headquarters
Growing from a class project to a nationwide business, Eats2Seats recently celebrated the decision to keep its headquarters local.
Our Town: The Story of Ted Voorhees, Chapel Hill Town Manager
The Town of Chapel Hill in collaboration with 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com present “Our Town: Stories of Chapel Hill.” Each month you’ll hear from the people at the heart of your local government who are learning, serving, and working together to build a community where people thrive. This month, Ted Voorhees reflects on his first six months serving as town manager; and tells the story of why he chose to come to Chapel Hill. 
›