Agenda - 06-04-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I3.12. CHAPEL HILL PLAN . TOWNSHIP PROFILE: SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS Chapel Hill Township, located in the southeastern part of Orange County, occupies 46,700 acres and contains 18% of the total County land area. The municipalities of Chapel Hill and Carrboro are located within the Township. The Township has been experiencing significant growth due to its locational advantages relative not only to the Towns, but also to its proximity to Durham and the Research Triangle Park. Socio-Economic Features The 1980 U.S. Census figure for Chapel Hill Township is 50,572 persons, an increase of 11,716 from the 1970 population of 38,856 persons. This represents an average annual population growth rate of 3.0% for the period. However, the rate of growth in the Township has slowed during this census period as opposed to the 1960-1970 growth rate of 5.5%. The 1980 Chapel Hill Township population accounts for 66% of the total County population. The Town of Chapel Hill, with a population of 32,038 in 1980, contributed 42% of the total County population and 63% of the Township population. Further, the Town of Chapel Hill absorbed 30% of the population growth in the County during the past decade. and 50% of the population growth in the Township. Carrboro, with a 1980 population of 7517, experienced an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. Carrboro's population accounts for 10% of the total County population and 15% of the Township's population. The Town has absorbed 13% of the population growth experienced in the County during the past decade and 21% of the Township's population growth in that same period. The Chapel Hill-Carrboro urbanizing area contains the major employment centers of the University of North Carolina and North Carolina Memorial Hospital as well as supporting commercial and services-related activities. In addition, this urban area is located in close proximity to the Research Triangle Park, Raleigh and Durham employment centers. This accessibility to major sources of employment, as well as social and recreational activi- ties, is reflected in the attraction of the area for population in-migration. The remainder of the Township is experiencing the impacts of Chapel Hill and Carrboro's locational attributes as significant non-farm development spreads throughout the Tbwnship. The potential for adverse pressures on the agricultural activities in this area will probably increase throughout the plan period. Existing Land Use and Infrastructure The primary factor shaping the land use pattern of this Township is the presence of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro urbanizing area. The Township is experiencing additional, but secondary growth pressures from the City of Durham to the east and to a lesser extent from Chatham County to the south.