Chapel Hill Review

Mayor Jess Anderson recently addressed the Chapel Hill community, providing an update on the town's activities and decisions following a productive spring session. The Town Council has adjourned for its summer break.

Anderson expressed gratitude to the Town Manager, council colleagues, and staff for their efforts in transitioning to a new mayor and three new council members. Procedural changes were implemented to enhance transparency and communication, including earlier meeting times, quicker dissemination of materials, and improved response times to constituent emails.

A key focus this spring was ensuring that the concept of Complete Community remained central to decision-making processes. Notable achievements include:

- The 2024-25 annual budgeting process and bond package discussions rooted in a five-year budget plan, resulting in a $44 million bond referendum scheduled for November.

- The Rewriting our Rules initiative aimed at revising land use ordinances to support goals such as more middle housing, walkable amenities, and environmental sustainability.

- A new partnership with the Central Pines Regional Council enhancing grant-writing capacity to leverage federal funding opportunities.

The town also celebrated significant project milestones recently:

- Ground-breaking at Trinity Court for 54 affordable homes adjacent to the Tanyard Branch greenway.

- Ribbon-cutting ceremony marking Estes Drive reopening to two-way traffic and unveiling new multi-use paths.

Anderson advised residents to stay safe during hot weather by staying indoors when possible and remaining hydrated. She highlighted that the Crisis Assistance, Response, and Engagement (CARE) team is actively checking on vulnerable residents experiencing homelessness. Additionally, Orange County has provided resources for coping with hot weather conditions.

Mayor Anderson concluded by wishing everyone a wonderful summer.