The recently passed N.C. House Bill 150 would remove the ability of local governments throughout the state to regulate the appearances of single-family homes and duplexes.
This bill misses the mark because decisions about community regulations like these should be made at the lowest level of governance.
Chapel Hill has numerous historic neighborhoods. And many Chapel Hill residents and preservationists feel the bill would threaten the town’s ability to maintain that historic essence.
Disallowing local elected officials from deciding building ordinances of historic communities across the state is simply not appropriate.
By allowing local authorities the opportunity to consider potential regulations, residents and key stakeholders would better have their voices heard. After all, they are the ones who have to live with the outcomes of these decisions.
Local governments have their fingers on the pulse of their constituents, and as a result, they can make more informed decisions.
Cheri Szcodronski, executive director of Preservation Chapel Hill, said the legislation could produce some problems for Chapel Hill by creating a disjointed environment.
On the other hand, supporters of the bill believe that property owners should have more freedom to decide on how to design their homes.
But that debate doesn’t really matter. The real issue here is that both sides were effectively silenced.
