Speak for Birds in Chapel Hill: Provide Feedback on Draft Land Use Plan

The Town of Chapel Hill has released a draft of its updated Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO), a comprehensive rewrite of the regulations that guide how and where growth happens in Chapel Hill.

Community members are encouraged to review the draft, ask questions, and provide feedback ahead of the Town Council’s formal consideration later this year.

New Hope Bird Alliance is concerned that the draft LUMO emphasizes increased density without sufficient environmental safeguards. In particular, the draft does not provide adequate requirements for tree canopy protection or stormwater runoff controls.  The proposal would allow greater building density—including quadplexes and triplexes—and commercial buildings in residential areas along major and connector streets, as well as within ¼ mile of any publicly accessible greenway access point. In some cases, these changes would be allowed with limited or no stormwater controls.

Without stronger protections, these changes will increase flooding, intensify heat impacts, and contribute to the loss of birds, pollinators, and the habitats they depend on.

Please attend one of the open houses scheduled for the public at the Chapel Hill library (100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill):

Monday August 17, 12-2pm or 6-7:30pm

Thursday September 10, 12-2pm or 6-7:30pm

AND submit comments on the LUMO page or to email them to the town council mayorandcouncil@chapelhill.gov.

The town is also offering a number of office hours.  More information can be found here: https://engage.chapelhillnc.gov/re-writing-our-rules-lumo-update