Chapel Hill Town Council - The Daily Tar Heel

Many Chapel Hill officials, such as Town Council member Karen Stegman, work other jobs in addition to their town roles.

Mayors, council members often hold additional full or part-time jobs

By Lauren Talley | Apr. 3, 2018

Many members of Chapel Hill Town Council and the Carrboro Board of Aldermen — as well as both the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Mayors — hold full or part-time jobs on top of their duties as elected officials. Although their duties often slow down during the summer months and towards the end of December, municipal election season tends to be a very busy time, Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said. She said she wants to improve the community by removing barriers to full participation in the council and opening opportunity for greater representation.

Chapel Hill High School is a part of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, one of the top-ranked school districts in the state.

Chapel Hill High School renovations are in the works

By Sophia Wilhelm | Mar. 28, 2018

Chapel Hill High is around 60 years old and falling apart, but expect renovations to begin this summer, if plans are approved by the town council.

Residents say $10 million affordable housing bond referendum not enough

By Marin Wolf | Mar. 25, 2018

“I’ve certainly been convinced that we need to do a bond, there’s no doubt in my mind about that,” said councilperson Michael Parker. “We’ve never tried, as a town, to commit this much money, and I want to make sure that we get the maximum value for every dollar we spend.”

The Chapel Hill Town Council met on Oct. 11.

Town to sell bonds for American Legion property purchase, despite complaints from residents

By Marin Wolf | Mar. 22, 2018

The Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously voted to sell $4.3 million of the 2015 referendum bonds on Wednesday to complete the purchase of the American Legion property.

Paul Rosu scored a 5 on the AP Calculus exam last April. Photo courtesy of Radu Rosu

Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Chapel Hill 10-year-old scores 5 on AP calculus exam

By Claire Willmschen | Mar. 8, 2018

On any regular day, eleven-year-old Paul Rosu seems just like every other kid at Smith Middle School — but he’s recently achieved a feat that not many others have. He received a 5 on his AP Calculus AB exam and could have potentially been the only fifth grader to take the exam that year.

A view towards Hillsborough Drive on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. after a Jan. 2016 snowfall. Photo by Brian Vaughn.

Town launches Pedestrian Safety Campaign in response to fatal accidents on MLK

By Kari Larsen | Mar. 6, 2018

The Town of Chapel Hill has started a Pedestrian Safety Campaign following the death of two pedestrians on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Long-time Orange County Commissioner Barry Jacobs pulls out of race

By Mickayla McCann | Feb. 28, 2018

“I had a gut reaction that it was time to do it,” Barry Jacobs said. “I’m usually a person that operates based on careful thought, so when I had a strong emotional reaction, I was fascinated. I thought maybe I should listen. I enjoy the work, but I want to do some other things while I’m still on as opposed to under the planet.”

The Town of Chapel Hill wants its employees to live in the town they work for

By Rachel McKinney | Feb. 22, 2018

A new initiative to incentivize Chapel Hill town employees to live within the town was presented Wednesday to the Chapel Hill Town Council. A pilot program will be launched by July 2019 incorporating benefits like closing cost assistance, down payment assistance and financial counseling.

Cars parked in the Wallace Parking Deck on E. Rosemary St.

Raise your hand if you have been personally victimized by towing in Chapel Hill

By Karlton Tate | Feb. 22, 2018

Many Chapel Hill residents and UNC students alike have a nightmare towing story. The Chapel Hill towing ordinances have been reformed to reduce the inconveniences previously caused to residents.

Lanterns hang in the Friday Center during the Chinese New Year Festival on Sunday, February 18th.

Chapel Hill lights up for annual Chinese New Year festival

By Laura Brummett | Feb. 18, 2018

Hosted by the Chinese School at Chapel Hill, Sunday's LIGHTUP Festival brought members of the Chapel Hill community to celebrate Chinese culture and ring in the Year of the Dog.

GoTriangle has designed mock-ups for a light rail between Durham and Chapel Hill paralleling 15-501. Graphic courtesy of GoTriangle.

Light rail funding continues to stay on track

By Drew Wayland | Feb. 12, 2018

The light rail project in Orange County took a big step forward in late January when Wake County officials helped clear the way for the project to gain state funding. Now, the goal to have reliable, sustainable transportation between Durham and Orange counties seems to be striding closer to reality.

DPS came to McCorkle Place to vacate the immediate area surrounding the Silent Sam statue Aug. 31, 2017.

Local legislators collaborate with community leaders to relocate Silent Sam

By Carlyann Edwards | Feb. 11, 2018

Mayor Pam Hemminger says Confederate statue Silent Sam should be relocated to a place where it can viewed in an educational context.

David Godschalk, former UNC professor and Chapel Hill Town Council member, died on Jan. 27. Photo by Anika Anand.

David Godschalk, former UNC professor and town planner, dies

By Suzanne Blake | Jan. 31, 2018

Behind every thriving town or city, there are people who carefully plan for its growth and development and allow it to be the prospering place it is today. David Godschalk was one of these integral people.

(From left) Deah Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha lost their lives Feb. 10, 2015. (Courtesy of the Abu-Salha family)

The shooting was three years ago. Here's how their families turned tragedy into progress.

By Marin Wolf | Jan. 31, 2018

Three Muslim students were killed in 2015. This week, Chapel Hill's mayor declared a day in their honor. The student's families have used the legacies of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu-Salha to make an impact and continue the work of the foundation Barakat founded.

Belen Alvarado and her three children live in Lakeview Mobile Home Park.

Mobile home residents respond to surprise threat of displacement by luxury apartments

By Marin Wolf | Jan. 30, 2018

Developers presented a concept plan to the Chapel Hill Town Council Wednesday for the construction of a luxury apartment complex on land where the Lakeview Mobile Home Park currently resides.

A concept design for new Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru. Courtesy of Pete Turner.

Chapel Hill Dunkin' Donuts petitions for drive-thru

By Claire Willmschen | Jan. 29, 2018

The Chapel Hill Dunkin’ Donuts is petitioning to add a drive-thru to its business, and many people are excited, but the process is harder than some may think.

The concept plans indicate construction will occur in a phase system. The proposed first phase will be centered around building one of the two proposed six-story buildings. Photo Courtesy of the Tom Hughes.

UNC Health Care proposes new facilities

By Karlton Tate | Jan. 25, 2018

UNC Health care has proposed a concept plan to the Town of Chapel Hill for the redevelopment of University-owned property along highway 15-501 near I-40 and the entrance of Chapel Hill.

Town of Chapel Hill and UNC aim to bring the gap for immigrant and refugee residents

By Maria Elena Vizcaino | Jan. 18, 2018

UNC and the Town of Chapel Hill are working together in an initiative to address the needs of foreign-born and refugee communities in town.

A November meeting of the Chapel Hill Town Council. Two council members were endorsed by CHALT prior to their election.

Town council prepares to find new town manager

By Kari Larsen | Jan. 11, 2018

The Chapel Hill Town Council has started the process of finding a replacement for Town Manager Roger Stancil, who announced his intent to retire this fall.

Chapel Hill Town Council met to discuss new fire station, American Legion property

By Ashley Peterson | Nov. 30, 2017

The Chapel Hill Town Council met last night for a business meeting to discuss the sale of a retiring fire truck to help pay for the construction of Fire Station 2, among other items.