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Chapel Hill community,
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and found time to relax and enjoy family and friends. As we settle back into fall schedules, Town Council is preparing to take up several important decisions in the months ahead.
Today, I want to give you a quick look at what’s coming up—and how you can stay informed and involved. I also want to make sure you are aware of a high-profile meeting taking place in Chapel Hill this week that may affect local traffic and your daily commute.
Finalizing New Lane Use Rules
Our Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) rewrite has been in the works for several years, and a draft document and summary of proposed changes are now available for review. We are entering an important phase of the rewrite. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas about the proposed changes, now is the time to share them as the Council prepares for its formal deliberations and vote.
The LUMO will help shape how Chapel Hill grows, including how development is approved and the standards that new development and redevelopment must follow. Our goal is to support the Town’s Complete Community vision while being transparent about the potential impacts of the proposed changes. Here's what's coming up:
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September 9: Council meeting
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September 10: LUMO Open Houses at the library, 12 - 2 p.m. or 6 - 7:30 p.m.
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September 16: Council work session
Meeting Community Needs
The Council is also advancing several major initiatives that will shape how we invest in our community and prepare Chapel Hill for the future.
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Connecting our community
- Moving forward with the Everywhere-to-Everywhere Greenway network to create connections among neighborhoods, parks, schools, shopping, transit, and more.
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Planning for community needs
- Unveiling our new Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
- Updating our Climate Action & Response Plan.
- Rebuilding Fire Station 4 with affordable housing on-site.
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Supporting a thriving community
- Updating Chapel Hill's Economic Development Strategic Plan.
- Considering the future of 828 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Together, these initiatives address some of the big questions facing Chapel Hill: how we grow, connect people and places, and prepare for the future.
Stay Informed and Be Involved
Your questions, ideas, and perspectives are an important part of the conversation. I encourage you to stay informed and involved as we work together to shape Chapel Hill's future.
Visit Engage Chapel Hill to find information about these and other Town projects, upcoming opportunities for public input, and ways to follow issues that matter to you.
I'll share more information on these issues as they come before the Council, so you can stay informed, follow the discussion, and weigh in.
G20 Innovation Ministerial at the Carolina Inn This Week
Lastly, I want to make sure you're aware of an international meeting taking place in Chapel Hill this week.
The G20 Innovation Ministerial will be meeting at the Carolina Inn between now and Thursday. This means additional activity in the area, including increased law enforcement presence and traffic.
There have been a lot of questions about the meeting, the Town’s role, and what residents can expect. I want to make sure there is clarity about how our staff is preparing. As is the case with any outside meeting or event taking place in Chapel Hill, our staff is working to help ensure public safety while also protecting the First Amendment rights of everyone who lives, works, and gathers in our community.
With that in mind, if the area is part of your regular commute or you need to be nearby, please plan your route ahead and allow extra time to get where you’re going. For the latest information, I encourage you to stay informed by subscribing to OC Alerts, signing up for Alert Carolina, and following the Town’s communication channels for updates.
With warm regards and appreciation,
Mayor Jess
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