Plans for new student housing developments in Chapel Hill move forward

Plans for two new developments that could bring new student housing to Chapel Hill have been moving forward.

The Chapel Hill Town Council held a public hearing Wednesday for Shortbread Lofts, an apartment complex that could begin construction as early as this spring and would provide rental housing to upperclassmen and graduate students.

Rick Bradley, assistant director of housing assignments and communication at UNC, said a need for graduate housing exists.

“We could accommodate more graduate students, but many select to live in off-campus housing,” he said.

Shortbread Lofts, which would be located at 333 W. Rosemary St., is planned to have seven stories and 85 apartments.

Larry Short, managing partner of the Shortbread development, said he hopes its high ceilings and big windows will create an industrial look to attract students. The building’s rooftop will have a garden, track, green area and an enclosed exercise area.

“We hope the public supports it,” Short said. “I think it’s the right size, the right height and the right place.”

Short said beyond the housing options it will create for students, the development could benefit the local economy. “Having people living there will help downtown business,” he said.

But at the hearing, Town Council members expressed concern over the yellow coloring proposed for the building.

“Buildings like these will define the aesthetic of our downtown for decades to come,” council member Matt Czajkowski said. “We cannot afford, aesthetically, to have another Greenbridge in downtown.”

Other council members commended The Franklin Hotel’s structure as a good example that should serve as a model for the Shortbread Lofts development.

Residents at the meeting worried the housing would only serve undergraduates without benefitting other residents.

Donald Beskind, who was representing an adjacent property with law offices at 312 W. Franklin St., said that he was also concerned with a dumpster that would be located on the border of the Shortbread property and the office.

Other Town Council members supported the plans for the apartment complex presented by Short and his partners.

“I’m excited about this project and I think it’s needed,” said council member Gene Pease.

Council member Donna Bell said she appreciated the planning that has gone into the development.

The developers said they will resolve issues raised Wednesday.

“We’ll go back and make changes as the council or community wants us to,” Short said.

They will present the revised plan to the council on Feb. 27.
Short said he hopes to begin construction in late spring and complete the project in fall 2013.

Glen Lennox

The owners of Glen Lennox apartment complex in Chapel Hill also shared plans for renovations last week, though their plans are more long term.

Those goals include adding more housing, retail, restaurants and office space to the apartment and retail complex off N.C. 54.

The owners of the Glen Lennox properties presented the plan for the shopping center and apartment complex at a Jan. 11 meeting of the Glen Lennox Neighborhood Conservation District.

The plan aims to attract a hotel to the complex and extend greenways through the neighborhood, based on a meeting presentation.

In the next decade or longer, developers would also add six apartment buildings, each with between 80 and 150 units, while phasing out some residential cottages and renovating others, according to meeting materials.

Contact the City Editor at city@dailytarheel.com.