Mayor Rosemary Waldorf characterized the Dec. 13 town-gown meeting as a forum for both sides to explain what they wanted.
Chancellor James Moeser stated what he expected from the town, while Waldorf asked the University to supply the town with information concerning University expansion projects, such as the Master Plan and the Horace Williams tract.
Moeser expressed concern about the town's floor-space cap that limits the University to 14.2 million square feet of buildings. UNC has about 14 million square feet and construction financed by the $3.1 billion higher education bond would put UNC over the cap, said Jonathan Howes, a former Chapel Hill mayor and the director of the Master Plan.
Waldorf pointed out that town officials are concerned with the level and rapid rate of growth proposed by the University. "The University was founded in, I think, 1789," she said. "In 211 years the University has built about 14 million square feet. They have before us a plan that would double that."
While Waldorf said it might take more than five to 10 years for those plans to become a reality, it certainly won't take another 211. That rate of growth is alarming to the town, she said. "We as a town would be derelict to quickly rubber stamp these (plans) and run along," Waldorf said.
The town officials must ensure that any actions taken by University officials will not be detrimental to the town, she said.
Representatives from both UNC and Chapel Hill said they were encouraged by the committee's first meeting.
"I thought it was a frank and open exchange of views, and I think it will provide a good foundation for further discussion," Howes said.
Waldorf also said she thought the meeting was a good starting point for the committee. "I felt it was a good introductory meeting," Waldorf said. "The chancellor made some strong statements, and it's his right to do so."
