In comparison to other major college towns, Chapel Hill has the distinction of having one of the slowest processes for development approval.
This is unacceptable, and Chapel Hill should streamline the approval process in order to sustain growth and remain attractive to potential developers.
Currently, it takes an average of 12 months for a developer to receive approval from Chapel Hill for a proposed project, whether it be for residential, commercial or civic purposes.
Rezoning for high-density projects that require special use permits is one of the main reasons why the approval process takes so long.
If a proposed development exceeds 20,000 square feet of floor area or disturbs more than 40,000 square feet of land, then the developer must receive a special use permit.
This regulation can add a considerable amount of time to development projects in Chapel Hill, which in turn, adds to costs.
Town Council member Matt Czajkowski has proposed a sensible and commendable solution to this problem. Instead of sticking with the current process, Czajkowski believes that the town should adopt by-right zoning to address development.
By-right zoning would give town officials the authority to determine how they want certain tracts of land to be used. From there, developers with proposals that fit these uses may petition the town to develop the land.
Chapel Hill is a growing town that has to accommodate new residents and students. This is impossible without new residential and commercial development.
