Minutes 03-21-2024 - Legislative Breakfast

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