As long as the developer returns with a plan that meets Chapel Hill’s affordable housing standards, the Town Council should approve the proposed Courtyards of Homestead.
The senior housing plan, brought before the Town Council at its meeting on Monday, comes on the heels of a 2011 proposal from the developer, Epcon Communities, for student housing on the same Homestead Road site.
The major barrier to moving forward is ensuring that the proposal complies with Chapel Hill’s requirement of 15 percent affordable housing for new developments, and the town does well to enforce this without exception in this case.
Keeping affordable housing available in Chapel Hill is important, and it isn’t unreasonable to require that new units are developed with affordable ownership.
Epcon’s offer to pay a fee in lieu of affordable housing is unfavorable for the town, as affordable housing is much more beneficial than a payment.
If Epcon returns with a new proposal similar to the current one that also meets the affordable housing requirement, the town should jump on the opportunity.
The plan fills a significant need in the Chapel Hill market, providing a more efficient residence option for long-term residents.
A sense of community is particularly important in a senior housing complex, and it is imperative that the developer ensures that the housing is actually reserved for the target elderly group in order to achieve this.
The proposed development would be highly beneficial to the greater Chapel Hill community, and, aside from its affordable housing demands, the town should be willing to negotiate with Epcon to approve it.
