This election boils down to economic theory. One theory, held by the incumbents and a challenger who as an advisory board member voted in lockstep with them, aims to add enough luxury housing filled with high-wealth individuals that national chain stores will open branches in town. This group is banking on sales tax revenue and […]
The big money at stake
Posted by Nancy Oates on November 2, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/11/02/the-big-money-at-stake/
Inspecting Inspections
Problems persist at the town’s Inspections Department. Despite nagging by the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, the response from the Planning and Sustainability Department, which oversees Inspections, has been sluggish. At the Oct. 19 Town Council meeting, Planning and Sustainability director Mary Jane Nirdlinger gave an update on progress in trying […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 26, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/10/26/inspecting-inspections/
Who determines livability?
Elkins Hills homeowners and renters turned out in force last Wednesday to convince council members to grant the protections of a Neighborhood Conservation District from what they see as the too-fast pace of development townwide. But one lone property owner and landlord gave council pause when he asked about how an NCD should be used. […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 19, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/10/19/who-determines-livability/
A not-as-long goodbye
On 60 Minutes last night, President Obama talked about how he felt coming to the end of his legally allotted two terms and whether he wished he could serve a third. He said, as all incumbents do, that he was proud of what he had accomplished so far in office and that there was more […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 12, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/10/12/a-not-as-long-goodbye/
Ask, and get real answers
Someone needs to tell the town’s Planning Department staff that Chapel Hill already has an ordinance that governs bed-and-breakfasts. Oh, wait. Someone already has. Several someones, in fact — the former director of planning, the town attorney and multiple people in the community, including Chapel Hill Watch — going back more than 15 years. And […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on October 5, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/10/05/what-problem-is-solved/
How about yours?
Community members at last Monday’s Town Council meeting turned the “not in my backyard” philosophy on its head, asking instead, “Why not your backyard?” At the Sept. 21 meeting, developers presented their proposed plan for Amity Station, a tall apartment building on West Rosemary Street where Breadman’s sits now. The parcel is in the Northside […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on September 28, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/09/28/how-about-yours/
Sparks fly over fire station talks
Last Wednesday night at its kickoff meeting, Town Council came that close to delivering what sportscasters would call an “explosive” performance as it debated whether to grant an amended Memo of Understanding to East West Partners in the exchange for land and a new fire station. In November 2013, the town put out a Request […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on September 21, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/09/21/sparks-fly-over-fire-station-talks/
Season opener
Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. public television will air the season opener of The Town Council Show. As season premieres go, this one may lack a little of the dramatic tension that keeps an audience riveted. But perhaps, given that the election season has also begun, a low-key start may be welcome. Here’s a […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on September 14, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/09/14/season-opener/
Putting B&B’s to rest
When I read town staff’s original proposal for an ordinance to allow bed-and-breakfasts in the historic district, my first thought was: We’re eating our seed corn. In August, town staff unveiled a plan to allow homes in the historic district to convert to B&B’s of up to 12 bedrooms and as many as 25 guests […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on September 7, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/09/07/putting-bbs-to-rest/
Reservations suggested
Imagine a diehard Carolina fan having to spend eternity in Durham, in the shadow of That Other School. And paying extra for it. Yet people who don’t understand that someday they — like all of us — will die, face such a fate. Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery has only 59 casket-size plots left and 94 […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on August 31, 2015
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2015/08/31/reservations-recommended/