Government Affairs Briefing - March 8, 2024

Water/Sewer Extension Advances  

By a 5-1 vote last night, Orange County Board of Commissioners joined Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough by approving a change to the water/sewer service boundary. The service area change was petitioned for by the Chamber last June based on recommendations from the Big, Bold Ideas Initiative and approved by the Town of Chapel Hill last November. By a 2001 agreement, any changes to the water/sewer service area must be approved by five parties: Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Orange County and the Orange Water & Sewer Authority (OWASA).

Thank You: Special thanks to Board Chair Jamezetta Bedford and Commissioners Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Earl McKee, and Anna Richards who all voted in support.

Why It Matters: It is not possible to deliver any affordable housing units without water and sewer access. This area is on a planned transit corridor and close to many employers, making it a perfect location for new housing. Most properties in the area are currently zoned for large lot single family housing.

Shout Outs: Kudos to Chamber Government Affairs Committee Chair Jim McNeely with CertaPro Painters, Bridget Pemberton-Smith with the Carrboro Business Alliance, Holly Fraccaro with the Homebuilders Association, and Dan Jewell with Thomas & Hutton for speaking in favor of the extension at last night’s very long commission meeting.

Learn More: Click here to view the water/sewer extension fact sheet for more information including FAQs.

Next Step: OWASA is the final governing body remaining to approve the water/sewer service boundary extension. A vote is expected at their meeting on April 11. Send a message of support to the full OWASA Board.

Carrboro Parking Options

At their meeting this week, Carrboro Town Council debated paid parking and parking enforcement options to better balance parking accessibility, affordability, convenience, and equity. A post-pandemic parking study in town found that on weekdays, 69% of cars parked in town were parked for more than 2-hours with many parked all day on-street or in public lots. Lower parking space turnover is generally bad for many local businesses. Among studied peer communities in North Carolina, Carrboro is the only municipality that does not charge for parking nor enforce time limits. Expect stricter enforcement of 2-hour parking limits in Carrboro over in the near future.

Affordable Housing Coalition Petitions Chapel Hill

This week, members of the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition, an association of non-profit housing developers, service providers, and advocacy groups, spoke at Chapel Hill Town Council meeting urging Council to put a $50 million affordable housing bond referendum on the ballot this November and dedicate 2 pennies in the forthcoming 2024-25 budget to affordable housing. Their requests are outlined in this letter to Council. The Town adopted a detailed Affordable Housing Plan and Investment Strategy last fall that specifies $50 million in funding needs over 5-years to maximize federal tax credits, generate at least 900 new affordable housing units and preserve at least 400 affordable housing units.

NC Chamber Reacts to Primary Results

Following Tuesday’s primary election, the statewide North Carolina Chamber of Commerce expressed concern about “looming threats to North Carolina’s business climate” from victorious populist candidates that “do not share our vision.” Their first cited example is unsuccessful Wake County School Board candidate and homeschool parent Michele Morrow who defeated incumbent Catherine Truitt in the Republican primary for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Read more from the NC Chamber. 

Meet the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee, read the policy platform, contact your local officials, dive deeper into the issues, and contact The Chamber's Vice President for Advocacy Ian Scott for questions or concerns.