OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - September 24, 2025

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, September 24, 2025
BodyChapel Hill, North Carolina
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, September 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:06:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:43

Good evening, everyone.

0:45

Welcome to the September 24th meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council.

0:50

We are very pleased to have you join us.

0:53

Before we get underway, I want to share with everyone that in response to resident request, we have interpreters available tonight through item six for Spanish speaking residents who may wish to speak during the public comment period and or during the public hearing for 860 Weaver Dairy Road.

1:14

For the audience, people wishing to listen in Spanish will have simultaneous translation available from our interpreters via the headsets.

1:22

And for those wishing to speak, um, when you're at the podium, the interpreters will provide consecutive translation.

1:29

This evening we have three items up for discussion.

1:33

All our legislative hearings for conditional zoning applications.

1:37

In order, we will consider proposals for 86 or 860 Weaver Dairy Road, uh 115 Chapel Hill Point Road, and 5640 Old Chapel Hill Road.

1:51

Uh Council members immediately following tonight's business meeting uh we'll move into the first floor conference room for closed session.

2:02

We do not have proclamations this evening, uh, but I do have a couple of quick announcements that I've been asked to share.

2:09

Um first up, we'd like to take a moment to recognize employee appreciation month, uh, which officially begins next Wednesday and continues through October.

2:20

Our town is supported by an incredible team of 750 full and part-time employees along with an additional 150 dedicated workers who help deliver programs year-round.

2:32

Um together they provide exceptional service and ensure our community runs smoothly every single day.

2:39

Uh, we're truly grateful to each and every one of them for their professionalism, commitment, and care.

2:45

And we look forward to having employee representatives join us mid month for a show of thanks and recognition of the Cal Horton Award.

2:53

Uh second, and keeping with the theme of appreciation, at our October 8th meeting, we will be honoring members of staff and the community have who have gone the extra mile or two or three to help those impacted by tropical storm Chantal.

3:08

Um council members, the plan is to have people arrive in council chambers at 5 45 so that we have time to say thank you before the meeting starts.

3:18

Uh then we'll have a proclamation and Jeannie and Chair will provide you all with additional details in advance.

3:25

Um and last, a reminder from our sustainability team and the new New Hope Audubon Society.

3:30

Uh, as fall migration begins, please remember to turn off unnecessary lights or close your blinds at night.

3:38

Uh artificial light can disorient migrating birds, leading them off course and into danger.

3:43

So each year, millions of birds die from collisions with buildings and other structures, often because they're drawn to or confused by bright nighttime lighting.

3:53

Um by simply dimming our lights, we can help protect these vital travelers on their journey south for the winter.

3:58

Uh council members, does anyone have something to share?

4:03

Councilmember Barry.

4:05

Thank you.

4:06

I'd like to share that September is hunger action month.

4:10

As one who relied on the services of our pantries, I want everyone to take a moment and think about how you can help your neighbors by providing them food.

4:23

You can go to your local pantries.

4:25

We have several of them that serve this community.

4:34

Thank you.

4:38

Okay.

4:38

Uh next up, we invite members of the public to comment on items not on the printed agenda or to bring a petition forward.

4:46

Uh, for members of the public in attendance and wishing to speak, please sign up with the town clerk at the table on the left side of the council chambers towards the front of the room.

5:00

If you're here to speak on a specific item, there'll be a presentation on the item followed by council questions and then public comment.

5:04

If there are individuals in the audience who wish to bring a formal petition tonight, our practice is to receive petitions and refer them to the mayor and manager.

5:13

We don't, as a rule, take action on petitions at this time.

5:17

To keep things running smoothly, Mayor Pro Tem Ryan will call two names.

5:21

We ask that the first person come to the podium and that the second person be on deck down in the front so you can take your turn.

5:30

This evening we are expecting a larger than normal number of speakers for item number six pertaining to 860 Weaver Dairy Road.

5:39

So for that item, depending on the number of people who sign up to speak, uh we may need to limit people's time to two minutes so that more people can speak in the allotted time.

5:50

For members of our Spanish speaking community, when you're at the podium, the interpreters will provide consecutive translation.

5:56

Because that takes longer, we will offer extra time.

6:00

Finally, I want to remind our audience that we want everyone to be heard and to feel comfortable when they're at the podium.

6:07

So please reflect refrain from commenting or clapping.

6:13

Okay, I just have one speaker for this part of the program.

6:16

It's Christopher Esposito.

6:23

Welcome.

6:24

Thank you.

6:25

Do I hit the green button?

6:27

No.

6:27

All right.

6:28

Um thank you for having us.

6:30

We um uh have not uh submitted a formal petition um through the process.

6:35

Uh but I I do come with uh a request and if needed, can submit a um petition for this uh separately.

6:42

So I'll I'll simply read a statement and then um address some of the contents.

6:46

So uh dear Chapel Hill Town Council, um I'm speaking on behalf of myself and other residents of the Briarcliff and Ridgefield Park neighborhoods who were affected by the flooding during Tropical Storm Chantal on July 6th of this year.

6:59

Um we are requesting some assistance from the town staff in understanding the causes of the flooding in our neighborhood.

7:06

Uh our most immediate, though not only, but our most immediate question concerns the effect of the Pinehurst Road Bridge, which if you look at maps, which I do have printed on the back here and I'd like to share.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations███████████████15%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Land Use Management██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting - September 24, 2025

The Chapel Hill Town Council met on September 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM in Council Chamber Room 110. The meeting included announcements, a public comment petition, approval of a consent agenda, public hearings for three conditional zoning applications (860 Weaver Dairy Road, 115 Chapel Point Road, and 5640 Old Chapel Hill Road), and adoption of a resolution authorizing the town manager to enter into opioid settlement agreements. All votes were unanimous. The meeting recessed at 9:09 PM for closed session and adjourned at 10:47 PM.

Announcements

  • Employee Appreciation Month – Mayor Anderson recognized the start of Employee Appreciation Month (October). The town employs 750 full- and part-time workers plus 150 additional staff.
  • Tropical Storm Chantal Recognition – At the October 8, 2025 meeting, the council will honor staff and community members who assisted during Tropical Storm Chantal (July 6, 2025).
  • Migrating Birds – Mayor Anderson reminded residents to reduce nighttime lighting to protect migrating birds, citing collisions with buildings.
  • Hunger Action Month – Council Member Berry acknowledged September as Hunger Action Month and urged support for local food pantries (Inter-Faith Council, PORCH).

Consent Calendar

All items were approved unanimously via a single motion (Council Member Berry motion, Council Member Miller-Foushee second) with amendments to Item 3 (grievance procedures) and the September 10 meeting minutes.

  1. Climbing Wall Reconstruction Contract – Adopted a resolution authorizing the design-build method and contract execution for the Chapel Hill Community Center climbing wall reconstruction.
  2. Property Acquisition for NSBRT – Adopted a resolution authorizing property acquisition for the North-South Bus Rapid Transit project.
  3. Amend Grievance Procedures for Probationary Employees – Enacted an ordinance amending Sections 14-42, 14-99, 14-125, and 14-127 of the Town Ordinance.
  4. Call Hearing for Omnibus LUMO Text Amendment – Adopted a resolution calling a legislative hearing on October 22, 2025, to consider text amendments to housing regulations, permitting, signs, parking, and other improvements.
  5. September 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes – Approved as amended.

Public Comments & Testimony (Non-Agenda Items)

  • Christopher Esposito (Briarcliff and Ridgefield Park neighborhoods) – Presented a petition requesting town staff investigate the causes of flooding during Tropical Storm Chantal, specifically the impact of the Pinehurst Road bridge. He asked for engineering analysis using FEMA flood models. Council received and filed the petition (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Ryan, second by Council Member Searing, unanimous).

Discussion Items

6. Conditional Zoning Application at 860 Weaver Dairy Road (Legislative Hearing)

  • Applicant (Ernie Brown) – Proposed a mixed-use development with 350–575 multi-family units, 100–135 townhomes, central green space, multi-use path, and affordable housing (10% of rental units at 80% AMI, 15% of for-sale units). Emphasized stormwater management with four ponds and 100-year storm retention. Requested modifications to regulations including disturbance of 52% of the upland Resource Conservation District (RCD), reduced landscape buffer along the southern property line, and encroachment into the I-40 buffer.
  • Staff (Tas Lagoo, Long-Range Planning Manager) – Recommended approval, finding the project aligned with complete community goals and modifications reasonable.
  • Planning Commission Comments (Wes McMann) – Highlighted unresolved concerns about stormwater impacts, traffic, and parking. Commission did not vote on consistency or recommendation.
  • Public Comment (14 speakers from Coventry, Lake Forest, Cedar Hills, and others) – Strong opposition citing stormwater runoff and downstream flooding (e.g., Scott Burroughs noted his yard and neighbors’ basements already flood), tree canopy loss, inadequate buffers (10-foot buffer proposed next to Coventry), health risks from proximity to I-40 (air and noise pollution), lack of outreach to Weatherstone HOA, and requests for a detailed stormwater analysis and a $5 million escrow fund for sedimentation mitigation. Spanish-speaking resident Luis Santiago Rodriguez expressed concerns about an entrance through his community’s parking lot.
  • Council Discussion – Members raised concerns about stormwater management on the “green leg” (southern portion), downstream flooding, tree protection during construction, traffic light feasibility (NCDOT criteria not met), 14-foot multi-use path width, and lack of outreach to Weatherstone. Council Member Ryan and others requested a detailed analysis of post-development runoff and connectivity. Council Member Nollert supported the housing density (noting 73% population growth is 65+, 1,300 children shortage in schools). Council Member Barry stated the green-leg stormwater approach was a “no” for her.
  • Outcome – Motion to continue the hearing to October 22, 2025 (Mayor Pro Tem Ryan, second Council Member Miller-Foushee; unanimous).

7. Conditional Zoning Application at 115 Chapel Point Road (Legislative Hearing)

  • Applicant (Dan Jewell for Northwood Raven) – Proposed 170 units (apartments and townhomes) with 10% affordable (60–80% AMI) in the apartments, increased density by 33% from concept plan by removing single-family homes, smaller apartment sizes (500–600 sq ft), and a community gathering space. Stormwater management to 100-year storm, with drainage north under I-40 (no downstream neighborhoods). Parking ratio under 1 space per unit for apartments; townhomes have internal parking.
  • Staff (Charnika Harrell, Senior Planner) – Recommended approval, noting consistency with comprehensive plan and complete community criteria.
  • Planning Commission – Found consistency and recommended approval.
  • Public Comment – None.
  • Council Discussion – Council Member Searing suggested a conservation easement on the undeveloped northern portion. Council Member Berry expressed concern that affordable housing was limited to small apartments, not family-sized townhomes. Applicant noted financial constraints. Council Member Ryan liked the increased density and requested options for including affordable townhome units.
  • Outcome – Motion to continue hearing to October 22, 2025 (Mayor Pro Tem Ryan, second Council Member Berry; unanimous).

8. Conditional Zoning Application at 5640 Old Chapel Hill Road (Legislative Hearing)

  • Applicant (Ernie Brown) – Proposed up to 76 townhome/stacked townhome units with 15% affordable (half at 65% AMI, half at 80% AMI). Requested reduced tree canopy from 30% to 20% due to required retaining walls and road infrastructure. Parking includes under-unit garages, driveways counted as parking spaces (leading to double-counting).
  • Staff (Josh Mayo, Planner II) – Recommended approval, noting alignment with complete community and park-line east village framework. Planning Commission recommended approval except denied the tree canopy reduction, believing 30% is achievable.
  • Public Comment – None.
  • Council Discussion – Concerns: impact of retaining walls on adjacent property (95 East Lakeview Drive), buffer widths (graphic shows 10 ft but modification requests 5 ft in places), parking double-counting, and tree canopy. Council Member McCullough and Council Member Berry supported the Planning Commission’s 30% tree canopy recommendation. Applicant argued that infrastructure requirements (additional road leg) made 30% difficult, especially near retaining walls. Council Member Barry asked to explore alternative tree placement.
  • Outcome – Motion to continue hearing to November 12, 2025 (Council Member Sharp, second Council Member Berry; unanimous).

9. Resolution to Authorize Opioid Settlement Agreements

  • Town Attorney Ann Anderson – Presented a resolution authorizing the town manager or attorney to execute documents to join opioid settlements with secondary manufacturers, Purdue Pharma, and the Sackler family, to enable the state and Orange County to receive funds (a few hundred thousand dollars estimated).
  • Council Vote – Motion by Council Member Berry, second by Council Member Miller-Foushee; unanimous.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Consent Agenda (all items with amendments).
  • Opioid Settlement Resolution – Adopted.
  • Continued Hearings: 860 Weaver Dairy Road to October 22, 2025; 115 Chapel Point Road to October 22, 2025; 5640 Old Chapel Hill Road to November 12, 2025.
  • Closed Session – Entered at 9:09 PM under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.11(a)(3), (5), (6) for personnel, attorney-client privilege, and property acquisition. Returned to open session to appoint James Baker as Interim Town Attorney (motion by Council Member Sharp, second Council Member Nollert; unanimous).
  • Meeting adjourned at 10:47 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the September 24th meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council. We are very pleased to have you join us. Before we get underway, I want to share with everyone that in response to resident request, we have interpreters available tonight through item six for Spanish speaking residents who may wish to speak during the public comment period and or during the public hearing for 860 Weaver Dairy Road. For the audience, people wishing to listen in Spanish will have simultaneous translation available from our interpreters via the headsets. And for those wishing to speak, um, when you're at the podium, the interpreters will provide consecutive translation. This evening we have three items up for discussion. All our legislative hearings for conditional zoning applications. In order, we will consider proposals for 86 or 860 Weaver Dairy Road, uh 115 Chapel Hill Point Road, and 5640 Old Chapel Hill Road. Uh Council members immediately following tonight's business meeting uh we'll move into the first floor conference room for closed session. We do not have proclamations this evening, uh, but I do have a couple of quick announcements that I've been asked to share. Um first up, we'd like to take a moment to recognize employee appreciation month, uh, which officially begins next Wednesday and continues through October. Our town is supported by an incredible team of 750 full and part-time employees along with an additional 150 dedicated workers who help deliver programs year-round. Um together they provide exceptional service and ensure our community runs smoothly every single day. Uh, we're truly grateful to each and every one of them for their professionalism, commitment, and care. And we look forward to having employee representatives join us mid month for a show of thanks and recognition of the Cal Horton Award. Uh second, and keeping with the theme of appreciation, at our October 8th meeting, we will be honoring members of staff and the community have who have gone the extra mile or two or three to help those impacted by tropical storm Chantal. Um council members, the plan is to have people arrive in council chambers at 5 45 so that we have time to say thank you before the meeting starts. Uh then we'll have a proclamation and Jeannie and Chair will provide you all with additional details in advance. Um and last, a reminder from our sustainability team and the new New Hope Audubon Society. Uh, as fall migration begins, please remember to turn off unnecessary lights or close your blinds at night. Uh artificial light can disorient migrating birds, leading them off course and into danger. So each year, millions of birds die from collisions with buildings and other structures, often because they're drawn to or confused by bright nighttime lighting. Um by simply dimming our lights, we can help protect these vital travelers on their journey south for the winter. Uh council members, does anyone have something to share? Councilmember Barry. Thank you. I'd like to share that September is hunger action month. As one who relied on the services of our pantries, I want everyone to take a moment and think about how you can help your neighbors by providing them food. You can go to your local pantries. We have several of them that serve this community. Thank you. Okay. Uh next up, we invite members of the public to comment on items not on the printed agenda or to bring a petition forward. Uh, for members of the public in attendance and wishing to speak, please sign up with the town clerk at the table on the left side of the council chambers towards the front of the room. If you're here to speak on a specific item, there'll be a presentation on the item followed by council questions and then public comment. If there are individuals in the audience who wish to bring a formal petition tonight, our practice is to receive petitions and refer them to the mayor and manager. We don't, as a rule, take action on petitions at this time. To keep things running smoothly, Mayor Pro Tem Ryan will call two names. We ask that the first person come to the podium and that the second person be on deck down in the front so you can take your turn. This evening we are expecting a larger than normal number of speakers for item number six pertaining to 860 Weaver Dairy Road. So for that item, depending on the number of people who sign up to speak, uh we may need to limit people's time to two minutes so that more people can speak in the allotted time. For members of our Spanish speaking community, when you're at the podium, the interpreters will provide consecutive translation. Because that takes longer, we will offer extra time. Finally, I want to remind our audience that we want everyone to be heard and to feel comfortable when they're at the podium. So please reflect refrain from commenting or clapping. Okay, I just have one speaker for this part of the program. It's Christopher Esposito. Welcome. Thank you.

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