A contract for a geotechnical study and "Phase 1 Environmental Assessment" is currently being executed with an engineering firm. Workers are expected to be present on the Greene Tract on or shortly after October 20. Work should be completed approximately 2 weeks after it begins. You may see or hear large equipment operating on site while the studies are being conducted. On-site work is limited to the hours of 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

The geotechnical study of the Greene Tract will determine the presence and depth of granite and other rock. Because subsurface rock was encountered when the nearby sewer line was installed, the local government property owners are completing a geotechnical study to assist in accurately projecting the expected costs of development on the Greene Tract.

The on-site geotechnical work will include some clearing of vegetation to allow necessary equipment to access the site. Some trees may need to be removed to provide the needed access; however, steps will be taken to minimize impacts on existing vegetation. Removal of trees larger than 6 inches in diameter at chest height is to be avoided if possible. Additionally, existing fire roads and trails will be used whenever possible.

If you have questions about the work, please contact Perdita Holtz, Orange County Planning Deputy Director at (919) 245-2578.

To learn more about the Greene Tract, please visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/3070/

UPDATE: At their June 18, 2025 Town Council meeting, Council voted to rezone parts of the Greene Tract and adopted text amendments that will allow "by-right" development of the approved master plan. "By-right" means that Town staff will review future applications for compliance and Council shouldn't have to approve additional rezonings.

ONGOING WORK: The three local governments continue to work with staff from the Development Finance Initiative (DFI), part of the UNC School of Government. DFI is conducting a financial feasibility analysis of the approved Master Plan. On-going work and expected next steps include:

• Market Analysis
• Environmental Site Assessment
• Traffic Study
• Financial Modeling

What's new?

• We're reviewing and amending zoning regulations for the property. (May/June 2025)
  • This is referred to as the entitlement phase of the process. It's the legal process in which a real estate landowner gets approval from the local governing body for their development plans.
  • The governing body could be the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or Town Council. For the Greene Tract, the governing body will be the Chapel Hill Town Council.

Upcoming meetings

Here's a tentative list of meetings with the Greene Tract topic on the agenda. Click here for Town of Chapel Hill meeting information.

• Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. - Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting
• Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m. - Chapel Hill Planning Commission Meeting
• Wednesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. - Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting
• Wednesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. - Chapel Hill Town Council Meeting

What's next?

• We're continuing to assess the cost of different land use configurations.
  • In spring/fall 2025, we're working with UNC's School of Government to perform a financial feasibility analysis on the adopted Master Plan.

UPCOMING PROJECT PHASES

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS PHASE

Spring/Fall 2025

The Greene Tract jurisdictional partners (Orange County/Town of Carrboro/Town of Chapel Hill) will work with UNC School of Government's Development Finance Initiative (DFI) to determine the financial needs and feasibility of the project. DFI will provide pre-development services, including:

• Conducting a financial feasibility analysis on the adopted Master Plan;
• Determining the scale of public investment required, at varying levels of affordability, to achieve public interests;
• Marketing the project to qualified private developer(s); and
• Supporting the Greene Tract jurisdictional partners throughout the process of working with a private developer(s), who will eventually construct the project.

DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENT PHASE

Spring 2025

This phase of the project will include any approvals needed from the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or Town Council that is required by the planning code before a project may secure a building permit.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? LET US KNOW!