Chapel Hill Town Council discusses rezoning, affordable housing and developing a retirement home

The Chapel Hill Town Council discussed parking meters, a retirement home and affordable housing at Monday's business meeting. Staff writer Doug Dubrowski live-tweeted the meeting. 

Join us tonight, live tweeting the Chapel Hill Town Council meeting!

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Mary Seyda, on behalf of the Chapel Hill Housing Advisory Board, is petitioning for increased funding for affordable housing options

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Consent agenda passed - increased max parking time to 3 hrs, continued public hearing on zoning, and approved budget ordinance amendments

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Eric Feld, Community Sustainability Planner, presenting on rezoning and affordable housing

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Feld: Hawthorn Retirement Group requesting rezoning for a 6.44-acre site at 700 N Estes Dr from Residential-1 to Residential-5 Conditional

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Feld: Hawthorn Retirement Group is seeking a special use permit to construct a 139,000 sq-ft independent senior living facility w/ 152 units

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Hawthorn Development now presenting on their proposal

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Hawthorn: says that Chapel Hill seniors are moving into their facilities in Cary and Raleigh because no similar facility exists here

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The Chapel Hill Town Council requires any rezoning requests w/ residential component incorporate 15% affordable housing or a payment in-lieu

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The Housing Advisory Board recommends payment-in-lieu of $326k for affordable housing (estimated annual rent x 15% affordable units)

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Hawthorn is concerned about the high cost of this in-lieu payment, which they say previous discussions had estimated at b/w $25k and $100k

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Council is now discussing the special use permit for Hawthorn's proposed retirement residence - Eric Feld presenting

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@CouncilWomanMP moves that the council close the public hearing on Hawthorn's rezoning - passed unanimously

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Council is now discussing the special use permit for Hawthorn's proposed retirement residence - Eric Feld presenting

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Several council-members in agreement that there should be a clearer formula to calculate in-lieu payments so developers know cost up-front

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Council unanimously moves to close the public hearing, to approve rezoning, and to approve the SUP (w/ change of in-lieu payment to $100k)

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Council has moved into closed session, thanks for following along!

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