At Monday night’s public hearing, the Chapel Hill Town Council postponed approving the 55-acre mixed-use development proposed for Eubanks Road.

Council member Donna Bell imagined visiting an unpleasant development in the future. She said, “I would hate to go by in ten years and go ‘ohhh, I approved that?’”

Bell and other council members said they welcome the opportunity for economic development, but in this project called The Edge, the applicant has too many requests that would affect the way the project moves forward. So the town is delaying granting a special use permit to Northwood Ravin, the developer, while officials consider the requests.

Northwood Ravin is asking the town to pay $1 million to $1.5 million for improvements to Eubanks Road. And the developer wants permission to build on a space the town has designated for environmental protection.

“Perhaps the biggest way to remove one of the warts on this site, which is visibility, is building a section of the RCD,” said Adam Golden, vice president of development for Northwood Ravin.

Golden is talking about the protected area, a “resource conservation district” or RCD. He said if the town grants permission to expand onto the five acres of RCD where there’s an intermittent steam, Northwood Ravin would build more retail.

“I don’t think we’ve had an RCD question like this,” said Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt. “I mean excuse me. I need to take a deep breath. I’ve never seen that before.”

At a public hearing in December, council members pressed the developer, Northwood Ravin, to increase the amount of commercial space in the proposed development. This became one of the sticking points again in Monday night’s discussion about the development.

If allowed to expand onto the RCD, Golden said, Northwood Ravin could build 270,000 square feet of commercial space including a hotel, 78,000 square feet of office space and 510 residential units.

The council will hold another public hearing on February 23, when it will reopen the topic of granting Northwood Ravin a special use permit. A development agreement comes later in this process.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Approves Special Use Permit for University Place Redevelopment
The Chapel Hill Town Council approved a Special Use Permit modification for the University Place Mall redevelopment at its meeting this week.
Town Council Approves Mixed-Use Development at Chapel Hill’s Edge
At Monday’s meeting, the town council unanimously approved a permit that paves the way for building a mixed-use development in north Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill Revisits 'The Edge' On Monday
A large mixed use development proposed for the northern end of Chapel Hill is up for public comment when the Chapel Hill Town Council meets Monday.
The Edge Developers Seek Help With Road Improvements
Developers of The Edge mixed-use project asked the Town Council for help to fix Eubanks Road, but council members said they couldn’t make any promises.
Chapel Hill: Mayor Pro Tem Amy Ryan on Good Neighbor Initiative, Flood Response and Upcoming Events
Chapel Hill Mayor Pro Tempore Amy Ryan joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Thursday, August 14.
Chapel Hill Planning Commissioner Jon Mitchell Discusses 2025 Town Council Candidacy
Jon Mitchell, the former chair of the Chapel Hill Planning Commission, announced that he is running for the Chapel Hill Town Council.
Chapel Hill Town Councilor Camille Berry Announces 2025 Reelection Bid
Chapel Hill Town Council member Camille Berry announced she will seek re-election. If elected, she will serve her second term.
EPA Advisor, Former Professor Louie Rivers III Announces Bid for Chapel Hill Town Council
Louie Rivers III, a social science advisor for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and former professor, announced his bid for the Chapel Hill Town Council this week. Rivers is one of six candidates who have announced bids for the four available seats on the council this fall. “Since the last presidential election, I have become […]
Chapel Hill Approves Rezoning for Greene Tract Site, Hears Next Steps for Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council is making progress on developing the Greene Tract, meeting in June to rezone part of the site. 
Chapel Hill Council Approves Multifamily Housing Project Near Durham Limits with Split Vote
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently approved a project that could bring affordable and multifamily housing to the edge of town.
›