This is a better primer than anything I could write. Start at the 4 minute mark, and go to 7:15. I was going to write a few paragraphs about this, but then I remembered that the New York Times did a fabulous video on this recently. Beyond that, I think it is also fair to say that there were a few individuals who think that affordable housing at the Pathway site represents a significant opportunity for the community, and several more who have concerns.īut while this story may be new to Carrboro, it has all the ingredients of a disheartening local government controversy that we see time and again in communities that vote in very high percentages for Democratic candidates in national elections. While I’m not going to spend time detailing lots of comments, I think it is fair to say that the majority of those in attendance were first and foremost trying to learn what is going on. About 50 to 75 people gathered in a cul-de-sac near the proposed Pathway Drive site to share their thoughts and concerns about the proposal with each other, and Councilmember Randee Haven O’Donnell took questions. As someone with a long interest and professional background in these topics, I attended the meeting. 106 Hill Street (three homes already being built)Īfter the Chapelboro story, email lists around town began receiving invitations to a meeting scheduled by neighbors of the Pathway Drive site on Saturday, February 19th.The Town Council unanimously endorsed this strategy at the meeting on February 8th, and it was reported on by on February 16th. The Town reviewed 47 parcels, and narrowed the list down to three sites with the most potential after excluding other sites in the list of 47 that were any of the following categories:Ģ) Inside a Long-Term Interest Areas (WASMPBA) Building affordable homes on publicly owned land is a common strategy for municipalities in North Carolina, which lacks the legislative support for tools like rent control and inclusionary zoning that are available in other states. The most recent step has been for the Town to review land it owns to see which sites are most suitable for building affordable housing. Affirming via the Town Attorney that Carrboro has the authority to provide affordable housing in general, and on town-on land specifically (February 2018).Updating those strategy documents (March 2015).Town Council adopting Affordable Housing Goals and Strategies (June 2014).This approval represents the culmination of several years of work, including: Here’s what’s happening: on February 8 th, 2022, the Carrboro Town Council approved a strategy to create affordable housing on Town-owned land.
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