Come Build with Us – and Simplify! Workshop set for Jan. 12

Post Date:12/23/2015 9:12 AM

Click Here to view the Meeting Handout  

Are you working on a home improvement project? Have you recently completed one or are about to begin? Do you have ideas for improving Chapel Hill’s land use rules for houses? The Town of Chapel Hill will hold a special workshop on these topics titled “Come Build with Us – Simplify!” from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the First Floor Conference Room of Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The Town of Chapel Hill’s Office of Planning and Sustainability is hosting the workshop to review draft rule changes for individual houses. These changes are aimed at simplifying the rules for home improvements and new houses Chapel Hill. Town staff will review and discuss topics ranging from simplifying the measurement of height to defining small projects that may not need a zoning permit.

The Town Council in spring 2015 directed Town staff to make improvements to the procedures and permitting requirements for single family home improvements. At a follow-up meeting, the Council directed staff to work with the Home Builders Association to draft rule changes to land use rules – also known as the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO).

The goal of these changes is to make the rules and permitting requirements for single family houses easier to understand and easier to follow and enforce.  Staff and representatives from the Home Builders Association identified several changes. These include clarifications and improvements to provide intended outcomes more effectively.

These changes will be presented as text amendments to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and to the Town Council as a public hearing item on Feb. 15, 2016.

If you would like to attend the Jan. 12 workshop, send an email to jheikes@townofchapelhill.org to RSVP.

For more information, see www.townofchapelhill.org/ComeLearnWithUs or contact Town Planner Jay Heikes at 919-969-5082 or jheikes@townofchapelhill.org

Click Here to view the Meeting Handout