Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
UNC-CHAPEL HILL PLANNING PANEL <br /> FIRST INTERIM REPORT <br /> Introduction <br /> The UNC-Chapel Hill Planning Panel appreciates the opportunity to present an interim <br /> report of our work to date. The Panel has met at least once monthly since appointed and <br /> has been briefed by a number of technical experts. We have participated in three <br /> additional meetings, including a public forum with University representatives and <br /> consultants, and a joint meeting with the Carrboro Community Advisory Committee. <br /> We approached our task of developing goals and principles for the Council's <br /> consideration by assigning subgroups to address four major subject areas: <br /> 1. Land use issues, including how new development should harmonize with <br /> existing neighborhoods, <br /> 2. Transportation issues, <br /> 3. Environment and ecology issues, <br /> 4. Fiscal and legal issues. <br /> Each subgroup reviewed the Comprehensive Plan for policy guidance, and we hope you <br /> will see familiar values incorporated into our suggestions. "Constraints"was a word that <br /> came up repeatedly in our discussions, and we are coming to a better understanding of <br /> how rich that word can be. The task requires looking at physical constraints, <br /> infrastructure constraints, fiscal and legal constraints, and the biggest constraint of all: <br /> not knowing exactly what the future will bring. <br /> We tried to make our first round of suggestions a set of goals that would advance the <br /> Town's adopted values,protect valuable and irreplaceable resources, avoid creating <br /> troublesome problems,keep the door open to opportunities that would enhance the <br /> community, and encourage a mutually cooperative working relationship between the <br /> Town and UNC. <br /> We stress that this document is preliminary in both form and content. We look forward <br /> to receiving comments, suggestions and direction from the Council and citizens. <br /> Our schedule calls for a presentation to University officials and consultants on April 12th. <br /> Comments of the Council and citizens will be a part of the package of ideas we offer that <br /> evening. <br />