Chapel Hill tennis and pickleball players debate about new shared-use plan for courts

After the end of a pilot tennis and pickleball shared-use program on Friday, March 24, the Town of Chapel Hill announced a  plan to increase outdoor public pickleball courts from 11 courts to 21 courts. During the shared-use plan, temporary pickleball lines were marked on two tennis courts at Ephesus Park. The Town gave tennis and pickleball players priority to use the courts at different times.

Chapel Hill Town Council hears opposition to development that would replace The Purple Bowl

At the Chapel Hill Town Council meeting on Wednesday, there were seven items on the agenda, including a discussion on the redevelopment of the affordable housing complex Trinity Court, two concept plan reviews, appointments to three Town boards and other land use items. The Town Council also heard from numerous community residents and UNC students during public comment regarding the preservation of The Purple Bowl in Chapel Hill. 

Applications open for Chapel Hill advisory boards, committees and commissions

The Town of Chapel Hill has opened an application for residents to apply to its 20 advisory boards, committees and commissions. These organizations present recommendations to the Town Council on policies related to sustainable transportation, historic preservation, affordable housing and other issues.

Parking prices emphasize priority differences between Chapel Hill and Carrboro

For this fiscal year, Chapel Hill Parking Services expects to make roughly $6 million in revenue — coming from a combination of meter fees, ticket fines and $3.8 million from debt services to fund building a new parking deck.  Less than a mile down the road in Carrboro, parking is completely free.

Chapel Hill Town Council considers future of police station, possible apartments

The Chapel Hill Town Council discussed the possibility of developing a municipal services center at the site where the Chapel Hill Police Department is currently located and decided against the construction of an apartment complex at 701 M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard at their meeting on Wednesday night.

'In the fight ever since': A look at the Foushee family's longstanding civic leadership

While Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C. 4th), Carrboro Town Council member Barbara Foushee and Chapel Hill Town Council member Paris Miller-Foushee might be the most recognized Foushees, they aren't the only ones who have had significant impact.

'It wasn’t easy': 50 years later, legacy of Chapel Hill's first and only Black mayor prevails

In 1969, Howard Lee won Chapel Hill’s mayoral election by about 400 votes, becoming not only the Town’s first and only Black mayor — but also the first Black mayor in a white-majority town South since the Reconstruction. Lee, who turns 89 years old in July, has left a large impact on the Chapel Hill community.

Chapel Hill Town Council discusses budget; authorizes search for new Town manager

After commending former Congressman David Price for his service to District 4, the Chapel Hill Town Council discussed the annual budget and potential updates to the Administering Concept Plan and conditional zoning applications at its Feb. 15 meeting.

Town of Chapel Hill receives $2 million to improve downtown streetscape

The Town of Chapel Hill recently received $2 million in Community Project Funding to be put toward downtown streetscape improvements. Funds will be used to replace traffic light poles as well as potential projects like curb cutting. 

Estes Drive Connectivity Project enters next stage, one-way traffic extended

The Estes Drive Connectivity Project is entering its next phase of construction, converting more of Estes Drive to one-way traffic. Contractors will shut down part of the road and begin work this week. Transportation Planning Manager for Chapel Hill Bergen Watterson said the closures will last until the end of the project, which is projected for fall 2023. 

Chapel Hill Town Council talks housing, zoning and transit expansion

Affordable housing explained: A look at public developments in Chapel Hill

The Town of Chapel Hill owns and operates a number of affordable housing units within Chapel Hill and Carrboro, including single up to multiplex residences. Though the Town owns over 300 properties, the area currently faces a deficit of over 5,000 affordable units. 

Number of active short-term rentals, including Airbnb, increase in Chapel Hill

"Since January 2021, the number of active short-term rentals (STRs) in the Chapel Hill area has increased by about 40 percent."

Despite funding, Chapel Hill sees stall in affordable housing preservation, development

The development and preservation of the Town of Chapel Hill's new affordable housing units struggles to keep up with demand, despite increases in funding. This fiscal year, the Town plans to preserve 350 affordable units and develop 30 affordable units. Last fiscal year, the Town funded the preservation of 509 affordable units and the development of 11 affordable units.