Some Carrboro residents want to keep Carrboro how it is, even for the town’s animals.
On Tuesday, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen passed annexation and rezoning permits for the Claremont South development, which has sparked opposition from many Carrboro residents.
Claremont South would be located on the south side of Homestead Road and provide more than 90 housing units.
Parker Louis LLC., the development group, has requested a residential zoning permit for 10,000 square feet per residence and a neighborhood business zone designed to accommodate neighborhood commercial needs, said Christina Moon, a member of the planning department.
Many Carrboro residents voiced their concerns about the rezoning of the Claremont property, especially the commercial property.
“I’m concerned about this particular area as a natural resource,” said Mary Sonis, a Carrboro resident.
She said she was concerned with destroying the habitats of some of the animals that live in that area.
“We probably have more nail salons than gray horned owls,” she said.
But Omar Zinn of Parker Louis LLC., said there is still plenty of open space.
“We have provided over 40 percent of open space in this development,” he said.
Alderwoman Michelle Johnson said she thinks the commercial property is necessary so that people don’t have to drive into town for things they can get in the development.
Carrboro resident Linda Haac voiced her concern at the meeting about the developer’s plan to build a playing field under power lines.
“I don’t understand why the vision for Claremont has to cram a playing field under high power lines to meet the open space requirement,” she said. “My concern was first and foremost immediate safety concern.
Board of Alderman member Sammy Slade agreed with this concern.
He said that he has heard that electromagnetic radiation from power lines can be detrimental for people’s health.
“I just think we have some discussions to have in the future,” Johnson said.
The board also passed a conditional use permit for property.
Notable
The board also passed a resolution to declare May National Bike Month. The Board also designated May 14 through May 18 as Bike to Work Week and May 9 as Walk and Bike to School Day.
Carrboro has participated in many bike activities in the past, including Bike on bus demonstration, Bike Breakfast and Chapel Hill-Carrboro bike ride. All these events will occur again this year.
Quotable
“Both Chapel Hill and Carrboro have received grants to improve the health of the creek,” said Julie McClintock, a member of friends of Bolin Creek. “”This plan does not meet those measures.”
“We are squandering a great resource,” Sonis said, about the development. “Keep Carrboro what it is.”
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