Residents discuss Glen Lennox plans

When Glen Lennox Apartments were built 50 years ago to house World War II veterans Chapel Hill was a smaller town with a much smaller population.

The town hosted an informational meeting Tuesday to discuss the complex's future" addressing issues of growth and preservation through the potential of declaring Glen Lennox a Neighborhood Conservation District.

""It's a very participatory process"" Planning Director J.B. Culpepper said.

According to the town's Web site, this designation is intended to preserve, protect, enhance and perpetuate the value of Chapel Hill's neighborhoods by giving residents more input on development issues.

If Glen Lennox is designated a Neighborhood Conservation District — which would take at least a year — property owners could help the town draft a conservation plan to allow their concerns to be addressed in the future.

Residents have specific concerns about growth in the area. For Margaret Perkett, a retiree, the key is to keep buildings relatively small.

I moved to Chapel Hill and I think I prefer small to big" but that's just my point of view at my age" she said.

George Cianciolo, chairman of the Chapel Hill planning committee, stressed the importance of being knowledgeable about possible changes.

Many Glen Lennox residents attended the meeting at Town Hall to educate themselves on possible changes that could occur.

What we're really trying to do is get the neighbors to understand the process" what it can and can't do what they can accomplish with it he said. Questions need to be asked before we get too far into it and say ‘Wait a minute" I didn't know that was going to happen.'""

Last spring" Grubb Properties proposed replacing all existing buildings in Glen Lennox and constructing a mixed-use facility of 900 new residences three parking decks a shopping center a hotel and about 3665 parking spaces.

Glen Lennox residents responded with a campaign to prevent the development petitioning for Neighborhood Conservation District status.

Grubb Properties formally withdrew the plan this summer after the outcry and promised to reconsider the proposal.

Through a series of facilitated meetings and Tuesday's town council information session residents and developers will continue working toward a plan.



Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.