By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
CARRBORO — The Carrboro Board of Aldermen agreed in principle on Tuesday to relax affordable-housing requirements for development of the next phases of the Claremont subdivision, clearing the way for a redesign of the project.
Citing a lackluster market and larger than expected losses on affordable units, Zinn Design Build requested a change in Phases 4 and 5 of Claremont to drop the 16 affordable units and forfeit the density bonus that came with them. That would drop the total number of units allowed in the new phases from 96 to 75.
In lieu of affordable housing, the company plans to utilize Carrboro’s small-house ordinance with 25 percent of the units a mix of 1,100- and 1,350-square-foot homes.
At its meeting Tuesday night at Town Hall, members of the board of aldermen said they were willing to grant the request, which would still be subject to further review by the board as a modification to Claremont’s Conditional Use Permit.
Board member Jacquie Gist said given the market, the smaller homes and their smaller price tags would be welcome.
“I, for one, want to see smaller houses built for a number of reasons,†she said. “I think [the small-house ordinance] is an underutilized tool that we have.â€
Board member Joal Hall Broun said she would agree to the request, but cautioned about getting in the habit of it.
“At what point do we say the market has improved?†she said.
In making his case, Omar Zinn of Zinn Design Build said affordable units in earlier phases of Claremont had sat unsold for several months.
“In a robust housing market, it’s easier to absorb that loss,†he told the board. “Today’s market is anything but robust.â€
Zinn said in addition to changes to the development on the southern side of Homestead Road, the company is considering the development of a small commercial site on the north side of the road. Under its present zoning, the site has a limited number of possible uses, including child and adult day care and low-traffic commercial space.
In other action, the board approved a plan to spend Carrboro’s share of a stimulus grant for energy-efficiency retrofits. The plan, developed in conjunction with the Southeastern Energy Efficiency Alliance and the Town of Chapel Hill, will make $55,000 in retrofit funds available through the town’s revolving loan program, which will target the project to help small businesses.
Another $5,000 will go to upgrades to residential properties. Board members said they would like to see those grants used to fill in the gaps in winterizing programs for elderly, low-income residents.
Also on Tuesday, the board set the outline for its annual retreat and agreed to spend several hours together at the OWASA public room on the afternoon of Jan. 30.
With economic development the major proposed topic, the board debated how detailed to get given the change slated for early next year with the retirement of longtime economic and community development director James Harris.
Board member Dan Coleman argued that it would make sense to have Harris’ replacement on hand when board members hash out their views on the subject.
Broun said given the urgency and various proposals about how to proceed with economic development, she was uncomfortable with a long delay. She and Gist agreed that it was important for the board to have a lengthy discussion to get members’ views out.
Gist asked that the board schedule a presentation at the retreat from Ed Camp, executive director of The ArtsCenter, on the relationship of the arts and economic development.
Board member Sammy Slade said he also wanted to see a discussion at the retreat on the effects of climate change.
In addition to a general discussion about economic development, the board agreed to a tentative agenda for the retreat to include a review of its Local Living Economy Task Force recommendations, a review of demographics and statistics, economic development and the arts and climate change and town policies.