A Message from Mayor Jess Anderson

GOVERNMENT

Chapel Hill Community,

Last week, the Town Council and I held our first meetings of the year—a work session and our annual retreat. Both were productive and focused on issues that matter deeply to our community. I’m writing to share a few highlights and important updates.

Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) Rewrite As many of you know, Chapel Hill is in the process of rewriting our outdated Land Use Management Ordinance. After thoughtful conversations at our retreat, I can say with confidence that completing this work successfully is a top Town priority.

Importantly, the decisions we make now will shape Chapel Hill for years to come. So, this is the moment when your input can have the greatest impact. Our goal is to create a clear and forward-looking document—one that advances our Complete Community vision, supports thoughtful growth, and makes it easier to achieve better outcomes for everyone.

A few upcoming milestones to note:

The LUMO Omnibus Bill will come before Council for a vote on January 21 and reflects the type of work we’ll continue through June.
A LUMO Timeline discussion on January 28 will outline what topics are ahead and how and when the community can engage.

Town Council Priorities At our retreat, Council identified four key priorities to guide our work over the next two years. I will be sharing more as we go through our budget process and determine how each goal will be supported and implemented.

Fiscal sustainability
Complete Community implementation
Environmental resilience
Housing

January 7 LUMO Work Session Highlights Council discussed proposed updates to the LUMO that will return for a vote on January 21, with materials posted in advance. Highlights include:

Proposed changes focus on updating processes and development standards aimed at expanding middle housing options such as duplexes, ADUs, and cottage courts.
Development review will be streamlined by eliminating Concept Plan reviews, shifting Site Plan review to staff, and reducing certain requirements.
Updated standards intended to encourage duplexes and ADUs include increased size limits and adjusted parking allowances.

In closing, I’m truly encouraged by the progress made in these first meetings and grateful to my Council colleagues, our Town Manager, and staff for their shared commitment to serving Chapel Hill with care, transparency, and collaboration.

As we reflect on our work here at home, many of us are also holding the community of Minneapolis in our thoughts and in solidarity after the recent killing of a civilian during an ICE operation there. Moments like this remind us how interconnected we are, and how essential it is that we continue to care for one another, look out for one another, and build communities rooted in dignity and safety.

With warm regards,
Mayor Jess