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.

The “special use permit” allows for exceptions to zoning regulations in order to accommodate the proposed residential, retail and office development on 55-acres.

The town council also authorized town staff to research a change in regulations, which would allow for building on an area designated for environmental conservation.

“I think this is the best we’ve got. And we should effectively go forward, taking a measured risk,” said council member Matt Czajkowski discussing the approval of the proposed 600,000 to 900,000 square foot development, called the Edge.

Czajkowski and other council members expressed concerns about the developer’s conditions and terms. But they said this opportunity beats the alternative of leaving the area undeveloped while waiting for a better deal for the town.

A chief concern among council members: terms on building affordable rental housing.

Adam Golden, Northwood Ravin’s vice president of development, said the developer could build 50 rental units affordable to people earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. The area median income is $65,700 for a four-person family, according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Council Member Sally Greene asked Golden to make housing targeted to people earning 60 percent or less of the area median income.

“If you’ve had a chance to glance at the message from the Partnership to End Homelessness, it’s reaffirming that our need is greatest in the 60-percent-and-below rental market,” said Greene.

But Northwood did not change the 80 percent cap.

Council members persuaded Northwood to strengthen its affordable housing terms. The developer must now secure financing of reduced-cost housing within five years; if it does not secure financing, it must sell this site back to the town for its 2015 tax value or commit to an alternative affordable housing plan that meets town council approval.

Northwood wants the town’s help to pay for $3.5 million in road improvements. The details of this and other conditions will come in a separate development agreement, which officials would work out before any construction starts.

Related Stories
‹
'A Shining Example of What is Possible': Weavers Grove Breaks Ground after 19 Years
Orange County Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the Weaver’s Grove community on Sunday. The mixed-use development will provide 101 affordable homes, market rate housing and other amenities to the Chapel Hill community.
Town Council Postpones Vote on Chapel Hill's Edge
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.
On the Porch: Daniele Berman and Kimberly Sanchez - Community Home Trust
This Week: Kimberly Sanchez has been a nonprofit leader for over 15 years, having come to Community Home Trust (CHT) as the former CEO of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (CLSMF), a nonprofit law firm and legal aid organization, headquartered in Orlando, Florida.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for Dispute Settlement Center, a statewide conflict resolution nonprofit headquartered in Carrboro. She is also a member of the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition and a past co-chair of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC).  Daniele Berman is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations for Community Home Trust. She plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission through strategic planning, effective program execution, and organizational infrastructure development. Daniele has worked in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and was recognized for her work as a “Hometown Hero” by WCHL in 2016. She represents CHT as a member of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC) and the North Carolina Community Land Trust Coalition (NCCLTC) and has served as a Peer Coach with Nonprofit Marketing Guide
1.4M of the Nation’s Poorest Renters Risk Losing Their Homes With Trump’s Proposed HUD Time Limit
President Donald Trump's administration is proposing changes to HUD's rental assistance programs, including a two-year limit to be in a unit.
Residents of Chapel Hill's Elliott Woods Apartments Share Concerns of Displacement, Conditions as A Sale Looms
The Elliott Woods Apartments and Chase Park Apartments complexes in Chapel Hill are set to be sold. Tenants are worried about their futures amid poor current conditions.
New For-Sale Carrboro Condo Project Celebrates 'Going Vertical' with Construction
Construction is underway at Carrboro’s South Green shopping center for the South Green Flats – a project aiming to fill a housing inventory gap and the first condominium project in the community in 15 years.
North Carolina Housing Bill Draws Praise, Scorn and Suggestions From Local Representatives
Senate Bill 205 has drawn both praise and criticism for provisions meant to increase the rate of approval for housing projects, but at the expense of some local government control.
Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground on 75-Unit Townhome Neighborhood in Hillsborough
Habitat for Humanity and local leaders gathered on June 12 to formally begin the work on Auman Village, a townhome community in Hillsborough.
Chapel Hill Council Approves Affordable Workforce Housing Community Along MLK Boulevard
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently unanimously approved a proposed affordable workforce housing community close to downtown.
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.
›