With the details of the development agreement hashed out, both town and gown have pledged to work together to make Carolina North a success.

WCHL’s Elizabeth Friend has the story.

In their last meeting before the summer break, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted unanimously to approve the Carolina North development agreement.

Speaking to his council peers and representatives from UNC, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward said the agreement is proof that the town and university are joined at the heart. The historic vote marks the end of a year-long process of negotiation between the town council and the board of trustees to plan for future  development on the 1,000 acre Horace Williams Tract.

A joint staff work group led by David Owens of the UNC School of Government and Town Manager Roger Stancil worked to draft the development agreement, which will guide growth on the site for 20 years.

Chancellor Holden Thorp was on hand to witness the vote, and he assured everyone that the University is fully committed to upholding the terms of the agreement.

Throughout the process of drafting the agreement, activists and citizens' groups consistently called for more time and greater transparency. Despite months of outcry, few were in attendance for the vote, and only one member of the public addressed the council. 

Speaking on behalf of Neighbors for Responsible Growth, Janet Smith thanked the council and the university for responding to the public’s concerns and encouraged future participation in the planning process.

In addition to approving the development agreement, the council directed the town manager to gather public input on the project, and to bill the university $300,000 to cover the cost of the planning process.