By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
The Chapel Hill Town Council voted 8-1 to reject a proposal to consider a branch library downtown or in other locations in lieu of adding to the current building.
Following discussions at a business meeting Monday night at Town Hall, the measure only drew support from council member Matt Czajkowski, who said it could bolster efforts downtown.
Jim Ward, the council liaison to the library’s board of trustees, advised his fellow council members to remain committed to the expansion plan. On a per capita basis, the library is the state’s busiest.
The effort to review alternatives followed a decision earlier this year to put off financing for a $16 million expansion because of uncertainty in the bond markets. The move saved the town about $300,000 in debt service for the current year and a projected $1 million next year, according to Town Manager Roger Stancil, who suggested two weeks ago that the decision to delay financing would allow the council to review its decision to expand as opposed to adding branches.
In other action Monday night, the council:
• Recessed a public hearing on the proposed Ayden Court development near N.C. 54 and the Dowing Creek Parkway to look at zoning options and study the impact of the development on the nearby Upper Little Creek Waterfowl Impoundment Area.
• Reviewed the progress on a number of traffic-calming and pedestrian safety measures planned by the university around key intersections in and around campus.
The projects, already approved by the town, are located at Columbia Street, South Road and McCauley Street; South Road and Country Club Road; Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Street; Country Club Road, Battle Lane and Boundary Street; Country Club Road, Gimghoul Road and Paul Green Theater Drive; Manning Drive and Skipper Bowles Drive; South Columbia Street between Manning Drive and South Road; Manning Drive and Fordham Boulevard; Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road; Mason Farm Road and East Drive; Mason Farm Road and West Drive; along Ridge Road; and Manning Drive and Ridge Road.
The agenda, audio and video of the council meeting is available on the town’s website at chapelhill.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3