Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - June 11, 2025

The Chapel Hill Town Council met on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber. Seven members were present (Mayor Anderson, Mayor pro tem Ryan, Council Members Berry, Miller-Foushee, Searing, Stegman, Nollert); two were excused (McCullough, Sharp). The meeting included a proclamation, announcements, public comments, a consent agenda, a budget vote, discussion items on land use text amendments, the 828 MLK property, and the North-South Bus Rapid Transit (NSBRT) project, followed by a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all consent items as a block (R-1) with a technical correction and removal of item 4 (Sunrock Industries bid for street patching, etc.), which will return at a future date.
• Items approved included: Miscellaneous Budget Ordinance Amendment for FY 2024-25 (fund adjustments), authorization to increase the Homestead Road construction contract with Carolina Sunrock by $281,314 to $3,725,000, adoption of the Public Housing Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy and revised lease, preliminary approval for multifamily housing revenue bonds for Elliott Woods and Chase Park Apartments, adoption of the 2025-26 CDBG Annual Action Plan, adoption of the Safe Routes to School Action Plan, adoption of the Triangle West Vision Zero Action Plan, modification of the Advisory Board Membership Policy to discontinue interviews for semi-autonomous board applicants, and adoption of the Council meeting calendar through December 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott Morrison (Chapel Hill resident): Commented on the Chapel Hill Transit budget, arguing that the system is not free for property tax residents and that only about 13% of town taxpayers use it. He suggested renegotiating with partners (UNC, UNC Medical Center) to shift the financial burden and proposed a $2 per ride charge for non-residents.
• Thomas Zanglir: Submitted general comments to the Town Clerk; no specifics provided.

Discussion Items

• Budget Vote (Added Item): Council Member Searing moved to add the Manager's Recommended 2025-26 Budget to the agenda. The motion carried 6-1. A subsequent motion by Council Member Nollert to approve the budget failed 3-4 (Ayes: Berry, Miller-Foushee, Nollert; Nays: Anderson, Ryan, Searing, Stegman). The item will return on June 18 when two absent members (McCullough, Sharp) are present and two absent members (Searing, Stegman) will be excused.
• Land Use Management Text Amendment – Article 8 (Boards & Commissions): Zoning Administrator Corey Liles presented a proposal to reduce board sizes to seven members (Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Historic District Commission, Community Design Commission) and update the Advisory Board Membership Policy. Board of Adjustment Chair Tom Grasty spoke in opposition to reducing seats, requesting that current members be reappointed with alternates. Council debated voting thresholds (four-fifths for variances) and the pros/cons of different board sizes. A motion by Council Member Nollert to amend the ordinance to set the Board of Adjustment at five members failed 2-5. The public hearing was closed 7-0. Resolution A (consistency with comprehensive plan) passed 6-1. Ordinance A (text amendment with seven seats for all boards except BOA at seven) passed 5-2. Resolution B (Advisory Board Membership Policy amendment) passed 6-1.
• Update on 828 MLK Property: Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson presented updated soil/water sampling results, the signed Brownfields Agreement with NCDEQ, community engagement efforts (over 1200 page views, 68 survey responses, 100+ face-to-face interactions), and an initial vision for future uses (transit station, recreation courts, parking, potential municipal services center). Council discussed remediation costs ($2.9M cap-and-cover to $25.9M full removal), environmental justice, equity, and the need for funding. Public speakers included Isabel Geffner (encouraged consultation with SELC), Nick Torrey (SELC senior attorney, stressed responsible cleanup and full encapsulation), and Stephen Fleck (expressed deep concern, urged more public awareness). The matter was received and filed.
• North-South Bus Rapid Transit (NSBRT) Milestone Update: Transit Development Manager Katy Fontaine reported that the project has reached 60% design completion, with 5.7 miles of bus-only lanes and 17 station areas. Key updates included site-specific lane adjustments, a new South Creek local stop, bike lane reroutes, and coordination with NCDOT for cost-sharing agreements. The project schedule anticipates federal grant application, right-of-way acquisition in 2026, construction start in 2027, and launch in 2029. Council discussed federal funding prospects, contingency plans, and safety concerns about a planned stop near the Columbia Street bridge. The matter was received and filed.

Key Outcomes

• Budget: Motion to add Manager's Recommended Budget to the agenda passed 6-1; motion to adopt the budget failed 3-4 (to be reconsidered on June 18).
• Land Use Text Amendment: Public hearing closed 7-0; Resolution A (consistency) adopted 6-1; Ordinance A (reducing board seats to seven) enacted 5-2; amendment to set BOA at five seats failed 2-5; Resolution B (Advisory Board Policy) adopted 6-1.
• 828 MLK Property: Received and filed; staff to return with concept sketches and cost estimates in fall 2025.
• NSBRT Project: Received and filed; staff to advance to 90% design and continue federal engagement.
• Closed Session: Motion to enter closed session (GS 143-318.11(a)(6)) passed unanimously at 8:42 PM; meeting adjourned after closed session.