By Beth Mechum, Staff Writer
Most of last week’s Carrboro Board of Aldermen meeting was spent discussing the Chapel Hill and Carrboro 2035 Long Range Transit Plan.
The objectives behind the plan are an introduction of transit services that better serve the most populated bus routes and the enhancement of local bus service by eventually adding new bus routes for future needs.
Several speakers addressed light rail and local architect Giles Blunden spoke of the economic impact of the current transportation plan.
“A real alternative to buses and cars is going to be really important,†Blunden said, referring to global warming.
After the comments, Mayor Mark Chilton responded by saying the discussion wasn’t about the creation of light rail right now, but about figuring out Carrboro’s transportation needs for the future.
Alderman Dan Coleman said that while he supported the idea of light rail in the future, he had a lot of questions as to where the money for it would come from.
“This is a transit plan, it’s not a stop-global-warming plan or a sustainability plan,†Coleman said. He added that he did not sense that taxpayers are interested in paying for light rail.
The board officially received public comments and referred them to town staff for review. Alderman Randee Haven-O’Donnell proposed scheduleing some time in the future to discuss the possibility of light rail.
Also at the meeting, the board heard comments about PACE Academy’s proposed addition of elementary and secondary schools in the B-4 Zoning District. The board approved the draft ordinance.
In other action:
• a resolution supporting Buy Carrboro Week 2009 was passed;
• the board made the town’s notice requirements concerning the land-use ordinance consistent with the general statues;
• and a public hearing on a land-use ordinance text amendment modifying the income limit for affordable units was opened and continued to Feb. 23.