February 2, 2023
Town of Chapel Hill, NC
Learning, serving, and working together to build a community where people can thrive. https://linktr.ee/chapelhillgov
Britany Waddell Named Chapel Hill Planning Director
Interim Town Manager Chris Blue has selected Britany Waddell as the Town of Chapel Hill’s next Planning Director. Her first day will be Feb. 13.
Britany has almost 20 years of planning experience in North Carolina, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, and she has an extensive background in community engagement and participatory planning, with a focus on town/gown relationships. Britany is a proud Carolina alumna, and said she is thrilled to be coming back to "Blue Heaven."
Homestead Aquatic Center Closed for Maintenance Feb. 20-March 5
The Homestead Aquatic Center is scheduled to close for maintenance and repairs from Monday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, March 5.
During the shut-down the Community Center Pool hours of operation will be expanded to Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m.-7 p.m. to accommodate a variety of drop-in times for lap swim, recreation swim, and independent water fitness.
Grand Opening for the Traffic Garden
Chapel Hill’s new Traffic Garden will have a Grand Opening from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. Bring your own bike and learn how to ride on small, safe streets in the parking lot at Homestead Aquatic Center (300 Aquatic Drive).
Traffic gardens are smaller versions of real street networks and include realistic road signs, situations, and street markings designed to help teach new bicyclists and pedestrians how to safely use roads in a space that is protected from vehicular traffic. The Traffic Garden is open to the public year-round during park hours, from dawn until dusk.
Learn More: Housing Choices for a Complete Community
Town staff will be available to talk about the Housing Choices for a Complete Community text amendment at a virtual Community Open House from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
The project proposes allowing small-scale Missing Middle housing types into the existing fabric of most residential zoning districts. This strategy, referred to as “gentle density,” will allow for the construction of missing middle housing—duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and cottage courts—that encourages home ownership and fosters inclusiveness by providing for the diverse needs of current and future residents.
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Let's Talk Town!
Town staff will be all over Chapel Hill and on Zoom to talk with as many community members as possible. Opportunities in the next week include:
All events are posted at www.townofchapelhill.org/letstalktown
We want to talk about how to spend remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for local projects; applying for Boards and Commissions; Police department programs; parks improvements; and much more!
February Traffic-Safety Initiatives
Chapel Hill Police Department is planning speed and pedestrian safety enforcement operations in February that focus on heavily traveled areas, including areas with pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Don’t drive while drowsy. Reaction times and ability to focus worsen with drowsiness. If you find that you are drowsy while driving, take a break. Check the labels of any medications you take to understand whether they will affect your ability to drive.
Vision Zero: In 2021, Chapel Hill’s Town Council adopted a Vision Zero Resolution, which states that traffic injuries and deaths are not inevitable “accidents” but preventable crashes. We encourage everyone traveling, regardless of your mode of transportation, to remember that community safety is a shared responsibility.
Registration for Peoples Academy Closes Feb. 6
Last chance to register for the Peoples Academy! Learn more about the Town, connect with your neighbors, tour Town facilities, and get knowledge you need to lead in our community. Register online by Feb. 6 in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.