Affordable Housing2022-2042 Comprehensive PlanAffordable HousingClimate Action & EnvironmentTransportation & MobilityGreen Stormwater Infrastructure, Water, & EnergyEconomic SustainabilityRecreation, Parks, & Cultural ResourcesLand Use
Strategy Alignment ReportStrategy 1.1 Foster quality design of the public realm including public right-of-way, Town facilities, parking lots and other public spaces.Strategy 1.2 Encourage the improvement of semi-public spaces to provide amenities, stormwater benefits and attractive environments for a balance of people, natural habitat, and open space.Strategy 1.3 Utilize the development review process to promote excellence in design that meets the diverse range and cultures expressed in Carrboro’s built environment.Strategy 2.1 Pursue concerted land use planning/small land use plans for high priority/high potential areas.Strategy 2.2 Preserve and promote the availability of affordable housing along key corridors and nodes that are transit-accessible, walkable, and bikeable. Adopt zoning reforms to preserve and increase affordability.Strategy 2.3 Expand the allowance of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and tiny homes.Strategy 2.4 Explore the creation of an overlay district to preserve mobile home parks.Strategy 2.5 Fully evaluate and reduce housing density restrictions to slow price increases and diversify housing stock.Strategy 2.6 Improve the development review process to promote affordable housing and reduce costs.Strategy 2.7 Calculate level of subsidy needed to bring desired housing types to market, particularly missing middle types.Strategy 2.8 Pursue updates to the LUO and zoning maps to provide greater densities in growth areas.Strategy 3.1 Pursue development provisions that preserve and maintain natural areas by incorporating environmentally sensitive development and building practices, including redefining pervious pavers and pervious surfaces. Address potential conflicts between land use goals, stormwater and water quality in the land use ordinance and development review process.Strategy 4.1 Update the Land Use Ordinance to be consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.Strategy 5.1 Increase the amount of land available for commercial, light industry, and mixed-use development.Strategy 5.2 Improve the development approval process to be more predictable and efficient while continuing to offer vibrant community participation.Strategy 6.1 Identify additional park space needed to serve residents within a 10-minute walk.Strategy 6.2 Coordinate with Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools regarding school siting, capital needs, and improved access via bike facilities and sidewalks.Strategy 7.1 Review and update Neighborhood Preservation Districts.Strategy 7.2 Create a local historic landmark property program.Strategy 7.3 Assist property owners who seek to nominate their property to the National Register of Historic Places.Strategy 8.1 Plan for balanced growth at key nodes and corridors that further the goals of this plan. The Future Land Use Map shows existing and future land uses. Specific changes in land use are identified in the Corridor Plans.Strategy 1.1 Create meaningful partnerships to engage with community members.
What We Will MeasureThe number of new and preserved affordable housing unitsThe amount of land available for commercial, business and mixed-use developmentThe commercial and business share of the tax baseThe amount of land protected for natural resources
ProjectsC Continue to extend sidewalks to connect missing links and incorporate lighting, amenities, and plantings.D Continue installing gateways, signage, and wayfinding to celebrate Carrboro and direct visitors to key locations with attention to cultural destinations that recognize the diversity of the community.E Create public plazas or gathering spaces outside of downtown, including Homestead and NC 54 and along Rogers Road.F Continue to promote the use of public art to express the history, diverse cultures, and aspirations of all Carrboro residents.A Work with homeowner associations to expand public use of open space including bikeway connections, recreational activities, and natural habitat.B Work with property owners and homeowner associations to pursue GSI to reduce flooding potential.C Encourage commercial properties to provide public amenities including sidewalks, landscaping, GSI, lighting, and tree canopy coverage.A Review and update Architectural Standards for Downtown Development (last amended 2006) for consistency with the comprehensive plan.B Develop design, landscaping, and tree canopy standards for neighborhood commercial and mixed-use districts to guide redevelopment. Consider green-building incentives broadly or via an overlay district.Develop small land use plans for strategic nodes that promote Carrboro Connects principles including affordable housing, land conservation, and improved walkability. Identify areas along key corridors for high-quality redevelopment opportunities that are walkable, transit-accessible, and near amenities.Pursue rezoning for greater density along key corridors and transit nodes, reduce/remove parking requirements, and prioritize growth in accessible areas. Investigate creating a new overlay zoning district to allow greater density in areas with high levels of transit and near amenities, with as-of-right incentives for affordable housing.A Expand permissibility of ADUs on residential lots, minimize restrictions, allow ADUs on smaller lots, and create a comprehensive ADU guide with pre-approved designs.B Determine whether a new zoning district should be created for smaller lots to allow for tiny home developments linked to affordable housing restrictions.A Determine whether an overlay zoning district would be an effective tool to preserve mobile home parks and reduce housing price pressures. Address regulations (e.g., Chapter 17 Minimum Housing) to ensure maintenance and common area responsibility.A Review setbacks, floor area ratio, lot size, and parking standards to support higher densities and incentivize smaller units.B Increase incentives such as the affordable housing density bonus and raise the in-lieu fee to expand on-site affordable units. Preserve existing homes and allow ADUs through smaller setbacks and density allowances.C Work with partners to seek authority for inclusionary zoning requiring on-site affordable units or fee-in-lieu.D Provide clear and predictable processes to developers to meet affordable housing goals.E Investigate modifying the LUO to allow up to four units on residential lots if performance standards (e.g., affordable housing, green stormwater infrastructure) are met.A Create a maximum timeline for review of affordable housing projects (or those with a set number of affordable units).B Develop clear standards for Advisory Boards to review affordable housing projects to improve predictability and reduce approval time.A Determine if there is a financing gap and identify funding sources to support missing middle housing.A Identify updates to LUO and zoning maps based on small area plans.A Continue to examine and update standards for conservation lands, wetlands, and steep slopes to future best practices. Preserve smaller hydrology features and show how natural areas and permeable surfaces can manage urban heat island effect and water run-off. Educate the public and landowners on up-to-date conservation practices.B Evaluate and build on vegetative standards in the development review process.C Review and update open space requirements and coordinate with goal of reducing impervious surfaces within open space.D Liaise with UNC Chapel Hill’s Facilities Planning Department and private citizens to seek opportunities to formalize Carolina North Forest as a nature preserve and recreational open space.E Identify opportunities for cluster development, low-impact development, brownfield redevelopment, transit-oriented development, and native “greenscape” requirements in future development plans.F Continue preservation of urban tree cover/forests. Improve data collection on tree cover and carbon sequestration value. Educate the public and support community-driven initiatives to collect and maintain data.G Regularly assess standards and ordinances for current best practices or issues on a rolling schedule so each is updated on a 5-year basis.A Develop a process to update the Land Use Ordinance including: ADUs, Junior ADUs under 500 sq. ft., parking standards, short-term rentals, bulk standards, and consideration of new overlay districts.B Pursue updates to the Land Use Ordinance to facilitate the development of 15-minute neighborhoods, ensuring all daily needs outside of employment can be found within a 15-minute walk.C Update parking requirements to remove minimums for residential development close to transit (including affordable housing, ADUs, and residential components of mixed-use) to reduce impervious surfaces and use land more efficiently.A Update zoning to allow for greater density of development in the downtown and near key nodes. See Corridor Maps in this chapter for proposed locations.A Update and clarify the roles of each commission or advisory board. Define roles, duties, focus areas, and interrelations.B Create a timeline for each project’s review, outlining responsibilities of the Applicant and Town at each step.C Develop written standards for review of projects by each board and commission to help streamline review.A Utilize race and equity criteria as factors in siting new parks, features, and programming.B Focus on connectivity between parks through bike facilities, sidewalks, micro-mobility, and transit.A Coordinate siting of new schools such as land set aside in Twin Creeks Park and the Greene Tract.B Coordinate capital needs for existing schools, including additions and outdoor amenities.C Improve access to schools via bike facilities and sidewalks.A Update Neighborhood Preservation Design Guidelines to promote equitable design and preservation.B Continue to work with property owners interested in nominating their area as a new Neighborhood Preservation District.A Add a nominating process for designating local landmarks to the LUO that reflects Carrboro’s cultures and historic development.B Plan for walking tours, plaques, and/or online recognition of historic properties, highlighting historic truths of the community.C Study and seek public input on whether to establish landmark restrictions such as demolition delays.A Provide historic records and support to property owners seeking historic register status, including NC State Historic Preservation Office records.B Provide recognition through plaques and/or online recognition of National Register properties.C Continue the historical marker program (2002) and Historic Carrboro Plaque Program (2008).D Explore becoming a Certified Local Government to receive funding and technical assistance from the Federal Historic Preservation Program.A Facilitate small area plans for areas identified for future growth and development, such as along transit corridors and nodes throughout the Town.B Update the LUO based on recommendations in the comprehensive plan and subsequent small area plans.A Actively recruit members from and develop public sessions with community organizations and resident leaders, prioritizing traditionally underrepresented populations.B Identify a funding source to pay for resident expertise on boards to reduce the barrier of participation for lowincome residents.
Not Defined
Develop small land use plans for strategic nodes that promote Carrboro Connects principles including affordable housing, land conservation, and improved walkability. Identify areas along key corridors for high-quality redevelopment opportunities that are walkable, transit-accessible, and near amenities.
Land Use

Goals

Not Defined
Strategy 2.1 Pursue concerted land use planning/small land use plans for high priority/high potential areas.
Land Use

Owner

CM
Christina Moon

Update

Downtown Area Plan (Analysis)

  • The full draft of the Downtown Area Plan is now under public review. It will be presented to the Joint Advisory Board for recommendation on October 9, ahead of the Town Council public hearing and potential adoption on October 21.

NC-54 Small Area Plan (Planning)

  • Town Council approved FY25–26 funding for the NC-54 Small Area Plan.

*The Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan identified a need for small area plans to assess the Rogers/Homestead/Old NC 86 and Estes/North Greensboro corridors for future growth and development. These plans have not yet been initiated.

Next Steps

  • Fall 2025: Adopt the Downtown Area Plan.
  • Winter 2025/2026: Prepare an RFP for NC-54 Small Area Plan consulting services.
  • Spring 2026: Begin the NC-54 Small Area Plan. Consider budgetary allocations for other small area planning efforts in FY 26-27.

Phase

Analysis

Start Date

8/21/25

End Date

8/21/26

Gantt Chart

Name
Land Use
Develop small land use plans for strategic nodes that promote Carrboro Connects principles including affordable housing, land conservation, and improved walkability. Identify areas along key corridors for high-quality redevelopment opportunities that are walkable, transit-accessible, and near amenities.
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