Jon Dougherty

News

Plaza Theater Expansion Vote Delayed

By Jon Dougherty | November 13

The Chapel Hill Town Council voted Monday to postpone a decision on an 11-screen movie theater in the Village Plaza Shopping Center. The council instead closed the public hearing on the matter and will readdress it at its Jan. 13 business meeting. The town manager and his staff are recommending that the council approve the plans with agreed-to modifications. The applicant for the project, Eastern Federal Theatres, was requested to continue working with town staff to resolve acknowledged problems, mainly a conflict over parking.

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Officials Clas Over Service Boundaries

By Jon Dougherty | November 8

Finding an elected official in Orange County who thinks the area does not need a third high school would be a difficult task. Finding those with contradictory ideas on where that school should be is another matter. Tempers flared at the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday as the board considered a resolution to extend Chapel Hill and Carrboro's urban services boundaries to accommodate a potential site for the high school. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education is looking at three sites for the third high school, one of which lies on Smith Level Road and is n

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Council to Settle Duplex Debate

By Jon Dougherty | October 21

Months of debate and disagreement over the continued existence of duplexes in Chapel Hill might be settled tonight at the Town Council's business meeting. The Chapel Hill Town Council will reconvene a public hearing at 7 p.m. in the council chambers to hear comment from residents concerning the latest draft of the town's development ordinance. The council began the hearing Sept. 18 and left it open to receive further comment. Tonight concludes a monthlong information-gathering period in which the council has sought public opinion.

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OWASA Drops Water Restrictions to Stage 2, Will Review Policies

By Jon Dougherty | October 21

Following an Orange Water and Sewer Authority recommendation, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, along with the rest of Orange County, stepped down to Stage 2 water restrictions Friday. Resolutions approved by Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy, Carrboro Mayor Mike Nelson and Orange County Commissioners Chairman Barry Jacobs declared that the previously enforced Level 1 water emergency was no longer in effect after the OWASA board of directors voted Thursday to relax restrictions.

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Heavy Rainfall Aids Drought Situation

By Jon Dougherty | October 14

After a downpour brought more than 6 inches of rain to the area, local reservoirs made significant gains in the amount of water in their banks. University Lake and Cane Creek, the two reservoirs Orange Water and Sewer Authority draws from, increased in their overall levels from about 34 percent full Friday morning to 56 percent full by 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, an OWASA press release stated.

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Area Water Use Dropped 29 Percent in September

By Jon Dougherty | October 7

Water use in the Orange Water and Sewage Authority's service area dropped 29 percent in the last month, but OWASA officials warn that residents should not lessen their efforts to conserve. In September, 8.2 million gallons of water were used daily, down from 11.5 million gallons in August. OWASA Executive Director Ed Kerwin said he has been pleased with the response to the drought from the community. "Customers have done a good job watching their usage," he said. "Now we have to look indoors." OWASA banned the use of its water outdoors Sept.

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Town Officials Could Scale Down Duplex Ban

By Jon Dougherty | October 1

Duplexes, which appeared to be doomed in Chapel Hill only a few weeks ago, might become illegal in only one section of town, officials say. After a Sept. 21 public hearing on the town's proposed development ordinance, Chapel Hill Town Council members say they came to a realization that a townwide ban on duplexes might not be the best response to an old problem. "Our concern is a sweeping ban would prevent diverse housing stock in town," council member Mark Kleinschmidt said.

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Fare-Free Busing, P2P Allow Easy Travel

By Jon Dougherty | September 27

For students, life without a car can be hard to get used to. And for visitors looking to enjoy the sights and sounds of Chapel Hill and UNC's campus without a pricey rental car, the situation can seem insurmountable. But there are ways -- free ways -- to travel around UNC, Chapel Hill and the Triangle. Thanks to a cooperative effort from the University and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, all bus lines that serve those areas are completely free of charge. Fare-free busing was initiated in January.

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New Shops Add to Downtown Area

By Jon Dougherty | September 27

Franklin Street is known primarily for its long-time establishments, not its young upstarts. But several businesses have opened their doors in the last year looking to make a niche for themselves on a street that hasn't changed its look much in 50 years. Ralph's Italian Ice, located on Franklin Street next to Wedgie's, has been operating since the summer. Owner Chris Daino brought his idea down from his home in New York. "We've been very happy with the response," Daino said. "I expected more business from Granville Towers, but we've been pretty good with the students."

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Ordinance Could Affect Off-Campus Housing

By Jon Dougherty | September 19

A representative cross section of Chapel Hill residents voiced their thoughts Wednesday night on the town's proposed development ordinance, which includes clauses that could dramatically change students' off-campus housing options. Wednesday's forum drew homeowners, landlords, businessmen, University officials and even a power company representative to support or denounce changes made in the most current draft.