The Chapel Hill Town Council met on May 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM (adjourned at 9:25 PM) in the Council Chamber. The meeting opened with proclamations, public comments, and a consent agenda, followed by discussions on the FY 2026-27 budget, a climate action plan update, a project incentive agreement, and a zoning modification. Final actions included approvals of the incentive agreement and zoning modification, along with appointments to the Community Design Commission.
Business Management Director Amy Oland presented the $169.7 million recommended budget (3.4% increase over prior year) with no property tax increase (rate remains $0.50 per $100 valuation). Key highlights:
Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson presented the five-year update framework, noting it is a refinement, not a rewrite. Engagement planned May-July (IAP2 consult model), data analysis Aug-Oct. Core priority areas: buildings & energy, transportation & land use, waste & natural resources, climate resiliency. Council provided guidance:
Economic Development Director David Putnam presented the proposal for Blue Sky Robotics (headquarters at 136 East Rosemary Street).
Senior Planner Charnika Harrell introduced applicant Bryan Harris (Dwell Design Studio). Request to modify a previously approved conditional zoning (CZD 20-204-6) to allow sloped roof segments to exceed the 62-foot height limit by 4-7 feet (due to a discrepancy between Town LUMO and State Building Code height calculation methods). No change in massing, setbacks, units, or shadow impacts. Community Design Commission responded favorably.
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the May twentieth meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council. We are glad to have you join us. This evening we have four items on the agenda for discussion or action. Um the first is a public hearing on the FY twenty twenty-six-27 recommended budget. Um that will be followed by a discussion about updating the town's climate action and community response plan as we mark the plan's five-year mark. Um third is a public hearing on a proposed incentive agreement for Project Stark Tower. And our final item. I tried, I tried to keep it tried to keep it serious. Um thank you, David Putnam. And our final item will be a legislative hearing concerning a request for a zoning modification at eleven White Oak Drive. Um Council will also be making appointments to the community design commission tonight. Um those names will be announced at the end of the meeting. Um and council members, we have a closed session this evening as well. Um to get us started this evening. We have four proclamations to announce. Up first. I don't know, he's he's cracking up back there. Um first we have Public Works Week. Um Councilmember Louie Rivers will be making that announcement, and we invite our public works director, Lance Norris to join him up front, and we have a lot of people. Norris, for being here with us tonight, and please share our deep appreciation with your entire team. Our second proclamation is for Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and Councilmember Camille Barry will be making that announcement for us tonight. And we are pleased to invite members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the audience up front for that announcement. Thank you for coming. Good evening. As the daughter of a Filipina, I am so proud to stand up here. And Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders come from many different countries and cultures across Asia and the Pacific, each bringing unique traditions, languages, and stories. Here in North Carolina and in Chapel Hill, AAPI communities have been part of our story for generations, providing leadership and have been and making contributions in many areas, including education, health care, business, technology, public service, and the arts. As a community, we know how important it is to keep learning from one another and to celebrate the rich diversity that makes our community special. And so tonight, we are pleased to recognize May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Chapel Hill. In so doing, we encourage everyone to take time to celebrate and to appreciate the impact of Asian American Pacific Islander communities here at home and around the world. Thank you. Council, we need a group picture. Yeah. Maybe make a back row, Council. Thank you. And if this I could scoot in just a little bit more. There we go. Oh, there we go. Awesome. All right, I'm gonna take a couple. One, two, three, everybody smile. Got it. Thank you. Thank you for everyone for coming tonight. We are so grateful to have you here with us, and of course, all the contributions that you make to Chapel Hill and to our broader community. That brings us to Affordable Housing Month, and we'd like to invite our affordable housing partners, advocates, along with members of Chapel Hill's housing and community development team to join Councilmember Miller Fushi up front, please. Good evening, everyone. I have the pleasure of reading two proclamations this evening. I will start with our affordable housing proclamation.