Greetings!  The purpose of this email is to provide an update on the Housing Choices Text Amendment.  Staff are scheduled to present this proposal at the June 21, 2023, Town Council meeting.

What you’ll find in this email:

• What’s in the text amendments?
• Upcoming Council meeting date
• What can I expect at the Town Council meeting?
• Where can I see the latest version of the draft ordinance?
• How can I provide input?

What’s in the text amendments?

There are several proposed changes to the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) in the Housing Choices text amendment proposal. The goal of the text amendments is to allow more diverse housing types to be built, including:

• Accessory unit: These are currently allowed in all residential districts.
  • The text amendment proposes increasing the allowed size from 750 square feet to 1,000 square feet for both attached and detached units
• Two-family home: Two-family homes are currently allowed in many residential districts.
  • This proposal would expand where they are allowed to all residential (R-) zoning districts. 
  • These could include traditional duplexes or two detached homes.
  • Two-family homes can’t exceed a total size of 3,000 square feet.
• Cottages: Cottages are a new proposed housing type.
  • If your lot has an extra 2,700 square feet, the proposal will allow a cottage up to 1,200 square feet in addition to your single-family home.
• Three and four-family home: These housing types are already permitted in some areas of Town.
  • The text amendment proposes to permit staff approval of three- and four-family homes in Residential-4 (R-4) and other higher density zones.
  • Residential – 4 (R-4) zones already allow multi-family
• Tree Canopy Cover: Tree canopy is the canopy that covers a residential lot.
  • The proposal would require 40% of a lot to be covered with tree canopy on all lots with two-, three-, or four-family homes.

Upcoming Council Meeting Dates

Town Council

Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Council Chamber, Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

https://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/20199/15.

Check the project website for schedule updates and more information about public input we’ve received so far: chplan.us/housing-choices

What can I expect at the Town Council meeting?

• Staff will present an informational overview of the text amendment project to the Council

• Council will receive public comment: Sign up with the Town Clerk at the meeting if you would like to speak
  • If more than 14 people sign up for an item, Council will reduce speaking time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes per person.
  • Please do not bring signs

• The Council may then choose to:
  • Provide staff additional feedback to make changes to the proposal; or
  • Vote to enact the text amendments.

Where can I see the latest version of the draft ordinance?

A copy of the proposed ordinance will be available the evening of Friday, June 19^th as part of the June 21, 2023 Council materials: https://www.townofchapelhill.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/20199/15.

How can I provide input?

We welcome and encourage your input. Here are ways that you can provide input for this proposal:

1. Attend in-person at the Town Council Meeting [https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/mayor-and-council/comment-at-council-meetings] and share your comments.
2. Watch online at chapelhill.legistar.com  
3. Email the Mayor and Council at mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org
4. Answer our online survey [bit.ly/publicinputCH]