Board of Adjustment Meeting - June 4, 2026

The Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment met on June 4, 2026, at 6:30 PM to consider a dimensional variance request for 700 Bolinwood Drive and to address board membership changes. The board unanimously approved the variance and recommended several reappointments and appointments to fill vacancies.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Approval of Minutes: Approved the draft minutes from the October 2, 2025, meeting unanimously (6-0).

Discussion Items

• Dimensional Variance for 700 Bolinwood Drive: Ryan Alston, representing property owner Stratford Investments LLC, requested an 18-foot variance from the 24-foot street setback to allow a 24-by-36-foot leasing office at the Stratford Hills apartment complex. The site is heavily constrained by a Resource Conservation District (RCD), 100-year floodplain, and intermittent/perennial streams. The applicant argued that the strict application of the setback would create an unnecessary hardship, as the buildable envelope is crushed by these constraints and the existing 1972 development. The board asked questions about alternative sites, parking, and flood risk. Board members expressed satisfaction that all four statutory findings for a variance were met: unnecessary hardship, conditions unique to the property, hardship not self-created, and consistency with the regulation's spirit. The board closed the evidentiary hearing and deliberated, with members noting the thorough presentation and the applicant's due diligence.
• Membership Updates: Staff outlined several vacancies and expiring terms. Dr. Thomas Wortman's term ends June 30, 2026, and he is eligible for reappointment. David Nahm's partial alternate term also ends, and he is eligible for a full term. Alternate member Joseph Weiner is eligible for reassignment to the regular seat vacated by Judith Miller (who left for OWASA). The board discussed filling alternate seats, with seven applications received. After deliberation, the board recommended reappointing Dr. Wortman to a regular seat, reassigning Mr. Weiner to a regular seat, and reappointing Mr. Nahm as a full alternate. For the vacant alternate seat, the board nominated Randy Herman and voted to recommend his appointment to town council. A second alternate seat, reserved for an ETJ resident, was tabled pending contact with applicant Julia Chamberlain.

Key Outcomes

• Dimensional Variance Approved: The board voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution A, granting the requested 18-foot variance for the leasing office at 700 Bolinwood Drive. The variance leaves 6 feet between the building and the right-of-way and does not encroach on protected resources.
• Membership Recommendations: The board voted 6-0 to recommend to town council: (1) reappointment of Dr. Wortman to a regular seat; (2) reassignment of Joseph Weiner from alternate to regular seat; (3) reappointment of David Nahm to a full alternate term. The board separately voted 6-0 to recommend Randy Herman for appointment as an alternate. The second alternate slot was tabled pending further contact with Julia Chamberlain.
• Next Steps: Staff will draft a written decision for the variance and explore scheduling a special meeting before the next regular meeting on September 3, 2026, to expedite final approval.