I’ve been pressed gently but relentlessly by people in the neighborhood where I own rental property to sign a petition to install traffic-calming devices on the streets that frame my corner lot. I’ve gently but relentlessly refused. My observation has been that traffic-calming devices – speed bumps, humps, tables, cushions and traffic undulation devices – […]
Don’t block the bump
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 15, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/15/dont-block-the-bump/
Waving or waiving our values
Tonight Town Council members vote on two measures that are both for show. One vote is for a resolution urging North Carolina voters to vote against a state constitutional amendment that will ban certain people from marrying. The other is to decide whether to ban certain people from talking on cell phones while driving. On […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 12, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/12/waving-our-values/
Landmark proposal
Brace yourself. In a couple of weeks, Town Council will once again consider a housing project marketed to students. Landmark Properties is on the March 19 agenda to present another plan for The Retreat, a university student residential neighborhood. Last year, Landmark appeared before council with a concept plan review, and council shot it down. […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 7, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/07/landmark-proposal/
Second chance for Charterwood
We can all agree: $4.3 million is a serious amount of money to invest and a foolish amount to gamble. Yet when developers go before Town Council with a development project, the money they spend to plan, present, readjust and repeat frequently comes down to the mood council members are in. The Charterwood developers, after […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on March 2, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/03/02/second-chance-for-charterwood/
Loving the Loft
Town Council is ready to fall in love – with Shortbread Lofts. (You’ll only get the joke if you’re among the subset of council meeting viewers who flip channels to “The Bachelor” during some of the more tedious PowerPoint presentations. We won’t ask for a show of hands.) The development team for Shortbread Lofts on […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 28, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/02/28/loving-the-loft/
Gym jumps through hoops
Chapel Hill now has two town-owned buildings that can’t be rented out due to overdue maintenance. The Chapel Hill Museum building at 523 E. Franklin St. was shuttered in June 2011 because the town did not have the approximately $800,000 to do the repairs. And last week, Orange County Gymnastics learned it would have to […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 27, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/02/27/gym-jumps-through-hoops/
Hope springs eternal
A developer walked into a Town Council meeting, armed only with a PowerPoint presentation and high hopes. Does this joke sound familiar? You’ve heard it twice in the past couple months, first with Shortbread Lofts and most recently with Charterwood. So you know how it goes. Neighbors will object to the building height and density […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 21, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/02/21/hope-springs-eternal/
Speak up on cell phone ban
Tonight Town Council will hold a public hearing to debate whether Chapel Hill moves one step closer to becoming an exclusive community. The ordinance up for discussion proposes that Chapel Hill ban some drivers from talking to certain people on a cell phone while driving on selected streets in town. Study upon study and layers […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 20, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/02/20/speak-up-on-cell-phone-ban/
Who belongs?
Yet another Town Council meeting ended after midnight last night. That’s late for the members of the deliberative body making decisions about what’s best for our town. I believe all nine council members hold some type of job other than to represent us. I doubt they serve on council solely to support themselves. When you […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 14, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/02/14/who-belongs/
4 cups
Immediately following the disappointing vote against Charterwood last week, Town Council voted to allow food trucks in Chapel Hill. Council had to strike a balance between local restaurant owners who were unhappy with the prospect of additional competition in a tight economy, and local foodies who wanted an inexpensive meal out, and local kitchen entrepreneurs […]
Posted by Nancy Oates on February 8, 2012
https://chapelhillwatch.com/2012/02/08/4-cups/