Southern Villages hotel praised by council

A proposal for a new hotel in Southern Village received overwhelming public support Monday night at a Chapel Hill Town Council meeting.

Bryan Properties, the original developer behind Southern Village, has submitted applications to build a five-story hotel with 112 rooms and 90 parking spaces.

It will be located on U.S. 15-501 between two entrances to Southern Village and next to the existing Southern Village Apartments district.

The application stresses the positive impact the hotel will have on the whole community of Southern Village.

“Our main goal is to attract the shoppers and diners to the village center,” said Sarah O’Brien, a real estate broker for Bryan properties.

Local business owners said they also thought the hotel would attract money to the Southern Village area.

Representatives from many Southern Village businesses — including Micki Cashman, manager of Weaver Street Market, Aaron Nelson, CEO of the local chamber of commerce and Dixon Pitt, a manager of the Lumina theater — turned out to voice their support for the proposed hotel.

“This is the most successful development in recent times in Chapel Hill,” said Town Council member Matt Czajkowski about the growth of Southern Village.

Kashman said there are various problems associated with small business ownership and this project could help build a commercial base.

“As an independent business owner, we face a lot of challenges,” she said. “We are looking for a new commercial anchor.”

It wasn’t only businesses to support the hotel — local residents also spoke in favor of the hotel.

“It will encourage our kids to come home,” said Southern Village resident James Lea. “It is going to add to the character of our community, and we are looking forward to that very much.”

Members of the Town Council also voiced strong support for the hotel itself, but some had reservations about the planned walking route between Southern Village and the hotel.

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt said he was concerned the suggested route would be impractical for people with disabilities.

But overall, the council was pleased with the commitment to the community that seemed to characterize Bryan Properties’ plans.

“I really appreciate that you aren’t trying to build this hotel as a cash cow,” said Town Council member Lee Storrow.

“I think it is a really strong project.”

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