Chapel Hill strives to live in harmony with the natural world, sustaining its present community, and preserving its quality of life for the future. Its commitment to preserve and maintain its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and environment are understood and supported by the community.

The key features of Chapel Hill’s natural stewardship philosophy include close attention to water quality, environmentally sensitive growth, and continued attempts to live within its natural footprint. Chapel Hill benefits from a commitment to stewardship through a healthier ecosystem and the many opportunities to enjoy natural areas and recreation communities for all ages and abilities within the community. When Chapel Hill demonstrates its commitment to living within its natural limits, Chapel Hillians are responsible global citizens.

Goals:
• Become a model for North Carolina and beyond in wisely and justly reducing waste in a way that minimizes local environmental impact without imposing upon the environmental and social rights of others (NOC.1) • Maintain and improve air quality and water quality, and manage stormwater to heal local waterways and conserve biological ecosystems within the town boundaries and the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (NOC.2) • Protect, acquire, and maintain natural/undeveloped open spaces and historic sites in order to protect wildlife corridors, provide recreation, and ensure safe pedestrian and bicycle connections. These spaces could include, among other things, Significant Natural Heritage Areas

(SNHA) lands adjacent to and connecting various properties such as riparian lands, etc. (NOC.3) • Support the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Greenways Master Plan to provide recreation opportunities and ensure safe pedestrian and bicycle connections (NOC.4) • Adopt an integrated development review process that is fair and transparent and that incorporates the Chapel Hill

2020 environmental goals (NOC.5)

• Support local food producers and access to local foods by encouraging community and backyard gardens, farmers’

markets, and community-supported agriculture without encroaching on working farms within or adjacent to the These goals relate to A Place for Everyone as well as Community Prosperity and Engagement.

For more information about the proposed action items associated with these goals, see Report 1: Action Items.

36 | Themes and Goals

Chapel Hill planning district (NOC.6)

• Reduce the carbon footprint of all Town-owned or managed services and properties; require that all new development meets standards; and support residents in minimizing their personal footprints (NOC.7) • Protect neighborhoods from the impact of development such as stormwater runoff, light and noise pollution, and traffic (NOC.8)

Click here to learn about projects related to this Chapel Hill 2020 Theme