Leaders from Orange County, Carrboro and Chapel Hill met last night with consultants hired by UNC to study the fiscal impact of Carolina North. Some were not pleased with what they heard.

Chapel Hill Town Councilman Ed Harrison was one of those questioning the assumptions of the study.

Given that Chapel Hill and Carrboro are already struggling with the issue of how to manage growth and density,  the news that Carolina North would generate an additional 1,200 houses in the surrounding area was not welcomed by local leaders.

Both Carrboro Alderman Dan Coleman and Chapel Hill Councilmember Matt Czajkowski argued that increased residential development is not much of an incentive for an area that’s already seen unprecedented growth, and they voiced doubts about the revenue such development would generate.  

Consultant Julie Herlands stressed that the fiscal impact study was limited in scope, and could not take into account all the consequences of building a 250 acre development that combines academic research facilities with residential housing and commercial space.

Under the development scenarios presented by consulting firm TischlerBise, Carrboro will see a cumulative net surplus of between $300,000 and $800,000. Chapel Hill, on the other hand, stands to lose about $11 milllion over the next 15 years as a direct result of providing municipal services to the campus at Carolina North, though the indirect impact of off-site growth could lessen the overall deficit to the town to about $2 million. 

Councilman Ed Harrison believes these indirect impacts will be the focal point of future discussion about Carolina North.

A public information session on Carolina North is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday April 1st, at the Chapel Hill Town Hall.