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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Town Council Work Session on LUMO Omnibus Amendments - January 7, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, January 7, 2026

BodyChapel Hill, North Carolina

SessionMeeting Portal

DateWednesday, January 7, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:04:58

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

Good evening, everyone.

0:01

Happy meeting here.

0:03

And welcome to Chapel Hill Town Council January 7, 2026.

0:09

Work session.

0:10

This is our first work session for our new council, and we are very pleased to have you join us.

0:16

Our agenda for this evening, we have two items.

0:19

First, council will step out to room C for a brief closed session and then return to continue the work session.

0:27

We typically hold these after our meetings, but have some unusual logistics for tonight, so we appreciate everyone's patience.

0:35

Secondly, we'll be discussing the LUMO omnibus bill that is scheduled for a January 21st vote.

0:41

Before we get started, we want to remind our audience that the format of a work session is different than our regular business meetings.

0:49

Work sessions provide an opportunity for the council to dive more deeply into specific topics, and these meetings are more conversational and less formal.

1:05

Finally, we value public input and do want to hear from you on these topics.com.

1:30

It's town of Chapel Hill.org still.

1:32

Or I mean Gov.

1:34

No, no, it's it's still.org.org.

1:37

We will be making public announcements for next month's transition to Chapel Hill and C.gov.

1:46

That's coming.

1:46

Fancy.

1:47

Okay, still.org.

1:48

Great.

1:50

Um with all that said, are we ready to move on to our first agenda item, which is this first closed session, short closed session.

1:58

And Mayor Pro Tem Gary, can I have a motion?

2:01

Certainly.

2:02

I move that we enter into closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 14318.11A6 and 14318 dot 11A3 for the purpose of discussing the settlement proposal in Valentine's B Town of Chapel Hill 21.

2:23

CVS 1314 670.

2:27

Second.

2:29

Move by uh move by Premier Pro Temberry, seconded by uh Councilmember Noller.

2:35

See, look look at me.

2:36

Um all those in favor, please say aye.

2:39

Any opposed, please say nay.

2:41

Motion is unanimous.

2:42

We'll head to room C.

2:55

Okay, folks.

2:57

Uh thanks for bearing with us.

3:00

Um this evening, council will be discussing a number of proposed updates to the town's land use management ordinance, often called the LUMO.

3:09

Um for members of the public who may not have been following closely.

3:13

Um here's some helpful background.

3:15

Um tonight's discussion continues work that came before council on November 19th.

3:21

Uh the proposals are part of what's known as an omnibus ordinance, which looks at potential changes through 12 different areas in the LUMO.

3:29

Many of these changes focused on expanding middle housing options such as duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and cottages in our community.

3:37

Um these proposed changes are part of a broader ongoing effort by council and staff to modernize and rewrite the LUMO.

3:45

Um this work is guided by a joint housing study conducted with university as well as the town's complete community vision and framework, which council adopted unanimously in 2021.

3:55

Um during our November 19th discussion, council took no action and no decisions were made.

4:02

Um at the time, the former council expressed strong support for most of the proposed changes, while others appeared to need more discussion or more information.

4:13

Um our goal tonight is to provide clear policy direction to staff in preparation for formal council action scheduled for our January 21st council meeting.

4:22

Um council members, uh, I want to be mindful and respectful that we have two new members on the board who were not part of our earlier discussions.

4:31

Um at the same time, I'd like to make sure we use our time as effectively and efficiently as possible.

4:37

So with that in mind, it's my sense that there are several topics where there's already strong agreement and that don't require any additional conversation.

4:46

Um we can then focus on our time on the remaining topics.

4:52

Uh, does that approach work for everybody?

4:55

Okay.

4:56

Great.

5:00

So as a starting point, my understanding is that the following items, those shown in regular font.

5:10

Oh those shown in regular font on the list in front of us do not need further discussion.

5:24

I am driving on SuperFed.

5:26

Okay.

5:26

So the orange is for potential discussion, and the purple is okay.

5:32

So special use permits, subdivisions, lot layout standards, infrastructure, manufactured homes, and signs.

5:40

Does that align with everyone's thinking?

5:42

Any additional changes or does anybody need additional reminders or clarification on what those are?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Land Use Management███████████████████████████████31%

Parking Management██████████████████████22%

Affordable Housing████████████████16%

Procedural██████████10%

Community Engagement███████7%

Zoning Regulations█████5%

Public Engagement████4%

Transportation Safety██2%

Environmental Protection██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Town Council Work Session on LUMO Omnibus Amendments - January 7, 2026

On January 7, 2026, the Chapel Hill Town Council held a work session from 6:01 PM to 9:31 PM to discuss proposed updates to the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) omnibus text amendment, scheduled for a formal vote on January 21. The meeting included a closed session (6:01–6:28 PM) under General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6) and 143-318.11(a)(3). Council provided policy direction to staff on key elements such as site plan review, concept plan review, conditional zoning, two-family housing, and parking regulations, building on prior work from November 19, 2025. The discussion was guided by the Town’s Complete Community Strategy and recent housing studies.

Discussion Items

Site Plan Review: Council supported removing Planning Commission site plan review for most development projects and treating all site plan reviews consistently, including those required by Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) rules, to improve efficiency while maintaining neighborhood protections.
Concept Plan Review: Council reached consensus to eliminate mandatory concept plan review, with the understanding that the impact would be evaluated and revisited if necessary. Some members favored a voluntary process, but the majority supported full elimination. Staff will present the original proposal (elimination) on January 21, and council will amend to reflect this direction.
Conditional Zoning Process: Council supported consolidating the three existing conditional zoning processes, favoring the expedited “Community Priority Process for Affordable Housing” as the new standard. An amendment was proposed to require above-ground stormwater management areas to be shown on district-specific plans.
Two-Family Housing Options (Floor Area): After debate, council supported the staff recommendation of a maximum of 5,000 square feet for two-family dwellings (duplexes, ADUs, cottages). Some members advocated for 3,600 square feet, but the majority agreed on 5,000 to provide flexibility for families and multi-generational living, while acknowledging the need for future consideration of triplexes and quadplexes.
Parking Regulations for Two-Family Dwellings: Council decided to maintain the four-vehicle parking maximum, but clarified that the limit applies to outdoor parking spaces. This decision was seen as supporting climate goals and reducing impervious surfaces, while acknowledging family needs. Staff will provide alternate language for the January 21 vote.
Front Yard Parking: Council supported the staff proposal to allow up to two parking spaces in the front yard, even if it exceeds the 40% front yard area limit, to accommodate infill development on smaller lots.
Subdivisions and Lot Layout: Council supported procedural improvements making Town staff responsible for subdivision approvals, reducing minimum lot sizes and dimensions, and allowing zero-frontage lots and flag lots to enable diverse housing types.
Manufactured Home Communities and Sign Regulations: Council agreed to protect existing manufactured home parks and update sign regulations to allow greater flexibility in residential districts.
Miscellaneous Updates: Council supported allowing multiple permitted uses on the same property and enabling shared driveways.

Key Outcomes

Closed Session: Entered closed session at 6:01 PM and adjourned at 6:28 PM.
Consensus Directions: Council provided clear policy direction on all discussed items, with staff instructed to prepare alternate language for amendments where consensus was reached (e.g., site plan review NCD treatment, stormwater amendment, and parking maximum clarification).
Next Steps: The formal vote on the LUMO omnibus text amendment is scheduled for the January 21 regular meeting. The council also discussed the process for the upcoming larger LUMO rewrite, with a work session planned for January 28. Topics raised for the rewrite included legalizing triplexes and quadplexes, incorporating natural areas map, transit-oriented development, and stormwater management.
Process Request: Council members expressed a desire for a clear timeline for the full LUMO rewrite and for work sessions to allow deeper discussion before formal votes.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Happy meeting here. And welcome to Chapel Hill Town Council January 7, 2026. Work session. This is our first work session for our new council, and we are very pleased to have you join us. Our agenda for this evening, we have two items. First, council will step out to room C for a brief closed session and then return to continue the work session. We typically hold these after our meetings, but have some unusual logistics for tonight, so we appreciate everyone's patience. Secondly, we'll be discussing the LUMO omnibus bill that is scheduled for a January 21st vote. Before we get started, we want to remind our audience that the format of a work session is different than our regular business meetings. Work sessions provide an opportunity for the council to dive more deeply into specific topics, and these meetings are more conversational and less formal. Finally, we value public input and do want to hear from you on these topics.com. It's town of Chapel Hill.org still. Or I mean Gov. No, no, it's it's still.org.org. We will be making public announcements for next month's transition to Chapel Hill and C.gov. That's coming. Fancy. Okay, still.org. Great. Um with all that said, are we ready to move on to our first agenda item, which is this first closed session, short closed session. And Mayor Pro Tem Gary, can I have a motion? Certainly. I move that we enter into closed session pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 14318.11A6 and 14318 dot 11A3 for the purpose of discussing the settlement proposal in Valentine's B Town of Chapel Hill 21. CVS 1314 670. Second. Move by uh move by Premier Pro Temberry, seconded by uh Councilmember Noller. See, look look at me. Um all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed, please say nay. Motion is unanimous. We'll head to room C. Okay, folks. Uh thanks for bearing with us. Um this evening, council will be discussing a number of proposed updates to the town's land use management ordinance, often called the LUMO. Um for members of the public who may not have been following closely. Um here's some helpful background. Um tonight's discussion continues work that came before council on November 19th. Uh the proposals are part of what's known as an omnibus ordinance, which looks at potential changes through 12 different areas in the LUMO. Many of these changes focused on expanding middle housing options such as duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and cottages in our community. Um these proposed changes are part of a broader ongoing effort by council and staff to modernize and rewrite the LUMO. Um this work is guided by a joint housing study conducted with university as well as the town's complete community vision and framework, which council adopted unanimously in 2021. Um during our November 19th discussion, council took no action and no decisions were made. Um at the time, the former council expressed strong support for most of the proposed changes, while others appeared to need more discussion or more information. Um our goal tonight is to provide clear policy direction to staff in preparation for formal council action scheduled for our January 21st council meeting. Um council members, uh, I want to be mindful and respectful that we have two new members on the board who were not part of our earlier discussions. Um at the same time, I'd like to make sure we use our time as effectively and efficiently as possible. So with that in mind, it's my sense that there are several topics where there's already strong agreement and that don't require any additional conversation. Um we can then focus on our time on the remaining topics. Uh, does that approach work for everybody?

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