Chapel Hill Town Council Work Session: Greenways Feasibility Study and LUMO Update – September 16, 2026

The Town Council held a work session on September 16, 2026, from 6:00 PM to approximately 9:30 PM at the Library Meeting Room B. The meeting focused on two major agenda items: the Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways Feasibility Study and the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) Update. As a work session, no formal votes were taken; the purpose was discussion and feedback to guide staff recommendations. The session began with proclamations for Constitution Week and Diaper Needs Awareness Week, followed by council announcements.

Proclamations and Announcements

• Mayor Jessica Anderson proclaimed September 17–23 as Constitution Week, emphasizing civic participation.
• Council Member Camille Berry proclaimed September 14–20 as Diaper Needs Awareness Week, highlighting the work of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.
• Council Member Louie Rivers III announced Empowerment Inc.'s 30th anniversary celebration on September 19 at the Story on Franklin Street.

Discussion Items

Everywhere to Everywhere Greenways Feasibility Study

Staff (Bergen Watterson, Ben Berolzheimer, and consultants from McAdams) presented an update on the feasibility study, which is evaluating 25 miles of proposed greenway corridors. Key challenges included property impacts, floodplain constraints, topography, and cost. Staff explained that some potential routes face trade-offs between traditional off-road greenways (preferred by the public for safety and user experience) and less expensive on-street “neighborhood greenways” or hybrid options. Council members discussed prioritizing criteria such as user potential (ridership), connectivity to key destinations (schools, transit, community centers), cost-effectiveness, speed of implementation, and equity. There was support for quick-win projects that fill gaps and provide immediate connections, but caution about natural-surface trails due to ADA compliance and long-term maintenance. Staff sought guidance on balancing the ideal vision with practical feasibility. Council members expressed a range of views but generally favored a mix of approaches, with emphasis on routes that can move the most people and fill critical gaps. The discussion ended with staff feeling they had enough direction to refine recommendations and bring back a more detailed “story” for each corridor at a future meeting.

Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) Update

Planning Manager Tas Lagoo presented proposed changes to the LUMO, focusing on housing diversity and supply. Key topics included:

• Inclusionary Zoning (IZ): Staff proposed removing mandatory IZ for multifamily development (which has rarely applied) and replacing it with voluntary incentives tied to density bonuses, while retaining mandatory IZ for subdivisions of five or more lots. The incentives aim to encourage affordable housing in projects that currently avoid conditional zoning. Some council members questioned the removal of the mandatory multifamily requirement, noting that even if rarely used, it served as a signaling tool. Staff clarified that conditional zoning has been the primary tool for securing affordable units.
• Residential Occupancy Limits: Staff recommended changing the limit from four to eight unrelated individuals per single-family home in most districts, arguing the current rule is unenforceable and the limit should align with building code life-safety standards. After discussion, council members expressed lack of support for the change; a straw poll indicated a majority preferred to keep the limit at four. Several members cited concerns about developer exploitation and neighborhood character, particularly in areas like Northside. Staff acknowledged the decision but noted enforcement remains a challenge regardless of the number.
• Increased Density and Location-Based Bonuses: Staff presented maps showing potential for additional density on arterial and collector streets with sidewalks (Map 2) and near schools (Map 3). Council members discussed the trade-offs, noting that some collector streets (e.g., Piney Mountain) have safety concerns despite sidewalks. There was interest in allowing fourplexes with 40% affordable units in neighborhoods like Northside, but only with community engagement. Council did not reach consensus on the specific density criteria, deciding to continue discussion at a future work session.

Key Outcomes

• Greenways Study: Staff will refine route recommendations using council feedback (prioritize quick wins, cost, high-usage connections, and careful consideration of environmental impacts). A more detailed presentation with corridor-specific narratives is planned for a future meeting.
• LUMO – Occupancy Limit: Council indicated by straw poll a preference to keep the limit at four unrelated individuals per single-family home. Staff will retain that in the draft LUMO.
• LUMO – Density and Inclusionary Zoning: No final decisions were made. Council requested a follow-up work session to further discuss density criteria, the fourplex bonus, and other affordable housing incentives. Staff will prepare additional analysis, including potential impacts on neighborhoods with Neighborhood Conservation Districts.
• Next Steps: Another work session will be scheduled, likely within a few weeks, to cover remaining LUMO topics (environment and resilience) and revisit unresolved issues.