The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners met Monday, April 27 at the Town Hall Annex. Following is a brief summary of noteworthy actions. It does not include all actions taken at the meeting and should not be viewed as official minutes.

The meeting is available to view on the town’s YouTube channel. See the agenda packet for more information.

Property

Annexation Interest

The board received an annexation interest letter from TriCorp Investments for two parcels on N.C. 86 near Old N.C. 10. The intent is to annex the property and develop it into retail services. The board indicated interest in receiving a formal annexation request for the property.

Unified Development Ordinance Rewrite

Senior Planner Tom King provided an overview of proposed changes to zoning districts, as a part of updating the Unified Development Ordinance. Changes focus on simplifying residential and commercial districts while allowing for more infill development at a greater density.

Data Centers

The board discussed having staff present on data center development concerns.

Nonprofit Funding

The board received funding requests from local nonprofits for the town’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget:

• Disability Awareness Council — $18,000.
• Exchange Club Park — $7,312.
• Fairview Community Watch — $10,000.
• Food, Fitness and Opportunity Research Collaborative — $51,683.
• Hillsborough Arts Council — $17,800. 
• Orange Congregations in Mission — $10,000.
• Orange County Arts Alliance — $10,000.
• TABLE — $15,000. 

The board agreed to limit nonprofit funding to $110,000 per year. Requests for this fiscal year total $139,795. The board will consider funding for nonprofits at its budget workshop on May 18. 

Period Poverty Awareness

The board proclaimed May 11-17 as a week to bring attention to those who cannot afford the period products they need to go to work or school and live full, healthy lives. 

Other 

The board approved:

• A special event permit for the town’s America 250 celebration: “Together, We Are America,” a free public festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4 in River Park.
• The purchase of fiber internet from an established vendor, ending the town’s plan for a dedicated fiber loop and saving over $2 million.
• One new position from combining the wastewater laboratory supervisor and chief wastewater plant operator positions.
• The heat action plan for Orange County. The plan provides guidance to staff on increasing heat awareness and reducing the impact of extreme heat on the community.

Mayor Mark Bell noted that the town recognizes May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.