Agenda 05-07-24; 8-a - Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

6 1 Senator Meyer said there has been an informal local group meeting for almost a year 2 now and has resulted in a fantastic partnership where UNC and the Southern Environmental 3 Law Center have split the bill on hiring Central Pines Regional Council to move forward in a 4 process to seek federal or other grant funding to do a study for what can be done for community 5 economic and housing opportunities when UNC stops needs the rail line that feeds the Co-Gen 6 Plant. He said the university is working on energy transition but doesn't have a timeline. He said 7 once they stop using burnable fuel, there will be no further need for that rail line. He said 8 shutting down the rail, could turn that area into a multimodal greenway pathway, there is an 9 amazing recreation facility connecting the university to central Orange County. He said even 10 more important for the county is that from Blackwood Station south to the University, it will 11 unlock some of the largest parcels of land for future development available in Southern Orange 12 County. He said from the university, it would unlock space at the Co-Gen Plant and directly 13 across the road, which will be the largest parcels of land the university will ever again have for 14 building new things contiguous to central campus. He said then you reach the central business 15 district of downtown Carrboro and have the opportunity to redevelop anything limited in its 16 development due to setbacks required near a rail line. He said the line goes up through 17 Carrboro and into Chapel Hill over near Chapel Hill High, Smith Middle, and Sewall Elementary 18 which would all become walkable without the limitations of the rail line. After that, he said the 19 line goes through Chapel Hill North and adjacent to the airport and then goes along the Greene 20 Tract, Chapel Hill industrial development park, and then to Blackwood Station, which would be 21 the last center for economic development before reaching the residential areas in the central 22 part of the county. Senator Meyer said this vision is a way off, but there is no other greater 23 development opportunity for Southern Orange County, so it is time to think ahead. He said the 24 university has come a long way in a short time and a community development study is needed 25 because the study can show what greater impacts the change will have in order for the 26 university to demonstrate the need to prioritize the transition. He said there is an MOA that will 27 likely come to the Board for approval and invited them to come to the meetings. 28 Chair Bedford said the MOA has been reviewed by John Roberts and Amy Eckberg, 29 David Stancil, Bonnie Hammersley, and Travis Myren have all looked over it and provided input. 30 Vice-Chair Greene said the rails to trails project is part of the Climate Action Plan. 31 Chair Bedford said that is why David Stancil and Amy Eckberg are involved because for 32 the county, there are parks and recreation opportunities potentially, and there is a potential 50% 33 state match. 34 Commissioner Richards said her initial involvement with this topic was before she was 35 on the Board as far as why the rail line is where it is and the impact on Northside community 36 and low wealth and minority communities. She said at that time, they were working with an 37 active group of students at the University that led this effort. 38 Vice-Chair Greene said those students as well as the Jackson Center are attending the 39 meetings. 40 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked what the study will show. 41 Senator Meyer said it will show the feasibility of housing, economic development, and 42 what the multimodal transportation possibilities would be. 43 Commissioner Richards said this is a long term, 20+ year project. 44 Senator Meyer said it is unlikely for the energy transition for the university to happen in a 45 timeline sooner than 10 years. He said it would require a massive infusion of money and/or 46 substantial advancement in technology. He asked the Board to remember this in their upcoming 47 planning. 48 49 Chair Bedford invited anyone to share last thoughts.