Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
The town has developed a comprehensive sustainability plan to advance its sustainability and resiliency goals, including its clean energy pledge. The plan will guide future development and the transition to 100% clean energy, balancing environmental stewardship, resiliency and racial justice with smart growth that will allow for a thriving economy and a great quality of life for the residents of Hillsborough.
Your Comments Are Needed
The plan is in draft form and is expected to be part of the quarterly public hearing at 7 p.m. April 20 in the Board Meeting Room at the Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St. The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners is expected to consider approving the plan June 12.
Now is the time to read the draft plan and provide comments. Comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. April 21, 2023. Comments may be made using the online comments form.
The entire plan and individual chapters are listed below:
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan (Full Plan)
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 1: Introduction
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 2: Engagement & Empowerment
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 3: Town Government & Public Services
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 4: Land Use & Development
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 5: Environment & Natural Systems
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 6: Transportation & Connectivity
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 7: Social Systems & Public Space
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 8: Housing & Affordability
Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 9: Economic Development & Tourism
Draft Comprehensive Sustainabilty Plan Chapter 10: Climate & Energy
Implementation: Draft Comprehensive Sustainability Plan Chapter 11
What is sustainability?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides this definition of sustainability:
Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
What is a sustainable comprehensive plan? How is it different than a regular comprehensive plan?
This plan builds on the Hillsborough Comprehensive Plan and other town planning efforts. It will reevaluate each component through a lens of environmental sustainability and climate action. It also will:
- Guide future growth and development in the town.
- Guide zoning, annexation, land use and transportation decisions.
- Identify needs for regulations and ordinance amendments.
What is climate action?
Climate action includes strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, improving education and awareness, and avoiding unnecessary carbon dioxide emissions. We all need to take action to combat climate change.
What is clean, renewable energy?
Clean, renewable energy is carbon- and pollution-free energy that is sustainably collected from renewable sources, including wind, solar, and geothermal.
What are commercial and mixed-use areas?
Commercial land is an area used for commercial purposes and intended to generate a profit. They are non-residential areas where businesses are located.
Mixed-use land is an area that has commercial business and a residential component, such as live/work apartments or a building with commercial use on the first floor and residential units above.
Examples of commercial areas in Hillsborough include land on South Churton Street, downtown, Nash Street, the North Churton Street shopping area, and U.S. 70. Hillsborough does not currently have much mixed-use land. The land around the future train station in central Hillsborough is a possible location for mixed-use development. Part of the planning process for the Comprehensive Sustainability Plan is gauging what level of density would be acceptable as commercial areas redevelop.
What is the difference between greenways and trails?
Greenways are wide, stable-surface paths. Trails are smaller and have a natural surface, more like footpaths.
Riverwalk is considered a greenway. Kings Highway Park has trails.
Anyone who needs assistance accessing the plan or providing comments through the online comments form may contact town Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood via the contact form on this website or by calling 919-296-9481.
