This is the first post in our Harder Truths series. Starting in the 1960s, so-called historic districts—neighborhoods deemed to be “significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture”—were created in U.S. cities and towns to place further restrictions on development. Although these districts were supported by federal legislation, local and state governments were given […]
Posted inBike and Walk, Bike Beat, Parks and Rec, Stormwater
Let’s take a walking tour of Blue Hill in Chapel Hill
Each month, NextFwd hosts a happy hour for members to discuss local civic issues in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. In August, before the scheduled happy hour, I led a walking tour through Chapel Hill’s Blue Hill District. The Blue Hill District – which used to be called the Ephesus Fordham District – is located off […]
Posted inConnectivity, Bike and Walk, Transportation
How long does it take to cross a street in Chapel Hill?
Longer than it takes to cook, and eat a grilled cheese sandwich, apparently! This piece was written by Tab Combs and John Rees. Imagine sitting at a red light and someone comes up and says, ‘you can’t go until I’ve had time to make myself a sandwich.’ Ridiculous, right? So why would we ever assume […]
Posted inZoning, Guide
TBB Land Use & Development Primer | 1.3: Anatomy of a Zoning Ordinance (1)
TL;DR: A lot of conversation and debate in our community centers on planning, zoning, and development regulations. But…what are these things? And why are they used? Are they good? Bad? Somewhere in between? It’s important to understand how land use planning and regulations work, what they can and can’t do, and how they can be used […]
Posted inCarrboro, Housing
Dreams for West Poplar Avenue in Carrboro
I dream of a four-story mixed-use building at the corner with a bodega that has good breakfast burritos and coffee, and of a taller residential building behind it with at least twelve units, including much-needed affordable condominiums or rentals.
Posted inChapel Hill, Chapel Hill Town Council, Housing, Planning Board: Chapel Hill
Thirteen harder truths about Chapel Hill
Last month, planner Jennifer Keesmaat presented the Chapel Hill Town Council with three “hard truths.” (To summarize, the truths were 1) Chapel Hill is exclusive; 2) Our planning processes are bad; 3) Our “urban form” is also bad.) Keesmaat promised that there are more hard truths to come out during the complete communities planning process, […]