Group to Consider Apple Chill's Future -

Seeks input about fair from residents.

Chapel Hill's Street Fair Review Committee is seeking input from the community on whether to continue holding the Apple Chill festival in its current form.

University Relations Coordinator Linda Convissor, a committee member, said the group wanted to get input from the public on what to do about the festival before making a recommendation to the Chapel Hill Town Council.

The committee, which met for the first time Tuesday, scheduled a public forum for Feb. 25.

Representatives of the town's Parks and Recreation Department said the committee's recommendation would not affect this year's festival, scheduled for April 27 and for which officials already have begun to plan.

The council formed the Street Fair Review Committee after hearing complaints from citizens about the festival, council member Dorothy Verkerk said. But the council was reluctant to eliminate the festival and opted for forming an advisory committee instead. "I don't think we're going to do away with the festival," Verkerk said. "That's one of the things that makes Chapel Hill unique."

Committee Chairwoman Pam Hemminger said many of the complaints stemmed from what is referred to as "After Chill," when people cruise Franklin Street after the festival, causing traffic congestion. "That's what a lot of people are concerned about."

In addition to setting up a public forum to receive community input, the committee is planning to put up a Web site that would be accessible through the town's Web site, Hemminger said.

Citizens will be able to post comments on what changes, if any, should be made to the festival.

Convissor said that once the committee receives public input, its options for a recommendation to the council are wide open.