Members of the Town Council want to get an early look at the Carolina North transit study, and meet face-to-face with the consultants behind the financial impact report.

The transportation impact analysis of Carolina North is due to be released May 1st, but some on the Town Council worry that important decisions will be made before that information is available.

Council member Laurin Eastom raised the issue at Wednesday’s joint planning session between representatives from UNC Board of Trustees and the Chapel Hill Town Council.

David Owens of the UNC School of Government said that much of the transit data has already been gathered. Since the report will deal mainly with the timeline for building large-scale improvements, he said it should be possible to make decisions about other aspects of the transportation system before the analysis is completed.

In the financial impact study released last week, consultant group TischlerBise concluded that while Carrboro and Orange County will profit from the development of UNC’s 250-acre satellite campus, the town of Chapel Hill could face a $3 million deficit due to the need for a new fire station.

Representatives from TischlerBise are scheduled to make a public presentation March 31st of the financial impact analysis of Carolina North in a lecture hall at the UNC School of Government, but members of the Town Council want a chance to question the consultants in a smaller venue.

Matt Czajkowski was one of those calling for a face-to face meeting.

Town staff will work to plan that meeting for April 1st.