Chapel Hill town staff is recommending the Town Council not act on a request for a development moratorium on N.C. 54 East Wednesday night.
The town Planning Board had voted 6-0 for a moratorium.
The staff based its decision on two factors: First, the council is already planning to discuss the future of the corridor this September. Second, the council could call a public hearing on a moratorium as late as Nov. 10 without risking any additional large-scale development there.
You can read our story about the Planning Board vote here. Chairman Geoge Cianciolo said there wasn't much discussion because everyone thought it was a good idea.
But in a memo to the council, staffers don't recommend a moratorium now because it's not an urgent need. The big projects under way -- Castalia at Meadowmont, Woodmont and others -- would not be affected by a temporary development ban.
The biggest project on the horizon -- the redevelopment of the Glen Lennox neighborhood won't come back to the council until Nov. 17. That gives the town plenty of time to have its September discussion about N.C. 54 East and still consider a moratorium if needed.
You can read the town staff memo here.
