Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary
The Hillsborough Board of Commissioners met Monday, June 13. Following is a brief summary of noteworthy actions and discussion. It does not include all actions taken at the meeting and should not be viewed as official minutes. The meeting took place in person. A video is available for view on the town’s YouTube channel.
Gallery/museum designation
The board approved a consistency statement and an amendment to the town’s unified development ordinance to allow the use gallery/museum in the Agricultural Residential zoning district. The board held a joint public hearing with the Planning Board on this item in April, and the Planning Board recommended the request be approved. This was a request from a homeowner who wishes to use the home's first floor for the purpose of generating income to maintain the historic home.
CASA project
The board approved a consistency statement and an amendment to the town’s Zoning Map and Future Land Use plan to accommodate a CASA affordable housing project on 4.38 acres adjacent to the Collins Ridge development. The board held a joint public hearing with the Planning Board on this item in April, and the Planning Board recommended the request be approved.
1700 N.C. 86 South
With a 3-2 vote, the board denied a request to rezone 15.38 acres from Limited Office to Multifamily. Commissioners Robb English and Matt Hughes voted against the denial, stating that there is a need for housing at various price points. The commissioners who voted in favor of the denial expressed a desire to see the parcel remain zoned for limited office use.
Public bench
The board received a petition from business owners on the 100 block of South Churton Street requesting that a public bench be relocated or removed. The bench located in front of 122 S. Churton St. is frequently occupied by a person who sometimes exhibits threatening behavior toward business owners and pedestrians.
The board discussed options with Police Chief Duane Hampton, staff from Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, and a Chapel Hill Police Department social worker who were present to speak on other items. Staff and guests from Chapel Hill explained that relocating or removing the bench would likely not solve the problem at hand. The police chief will discuss other options with the business owners on that block as well as best practices for dealing with anyone exhibiting erratic behavior in a business or in the right of way.
FY23 budget
The board approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2023, which begins July 1. The property tax rate remains 58.7 cents per $100 assessed value. Water rates are increasing by 4.5%, and sewer rates are increasing by 2%. The minimum usage for water and sewer decreased by 125 gallons. See the budget news release later this week for more details.
Valley Forge Road
After a closed session discussion with the town attorney, the board voted to amend the FY22 budget to authorize the expenditure of $250,000 to repair the culverts along Valley Forge Road. A section of the road was significantly damaged by heavy rains in 2019 and 2020.
