The Council appoints various citizen boards and commissions: some act in an advisory capacity that the
Council may be fully informed when creating ordinances, policies, and procedures for the Town; some act
autonomously to relieve the Council of various administrative functions. Each of these boards is one of
the following types: appeals, standing boards,
semi-autonomous board or commission, autonomous board,
or task force or ad hoc study groups.
The Personnel Appeals Committee makes recommendations to the Town
Manager on Town employees' grievances which are not resolved at the department level or by the Town
Manager.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board makes recommendations on
sidewalk and pedestrian improvements as well as bicycle facilities. The Board also reviews development
proposals related to bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
Cemeteries Advisory Board
The Cemeteries Advisory Board is created for the purpose of providing
citizen input to the Town Council on policies for the operation and maintenance of the Towns cemeteries.
Community Design Commission
The Community Design Commission reviews conceptual plans for
development. The commission makes recommendations to the Council on community design and appearance
matters such as entranceway improvements, proposed development. The Commission also reviews building
elevations and lighting plans for Special Use Permits.
Greenways Commission
The Greenways Commission makes recommendations to the Council on
planning and improving "greenway" paths along creeks and streams. The Commission also makes
recommendations concerned with linear parks and open space acquisition and developments located along
greenway corridors.
Human Services Advisory Board
The Human Services Advisory Board was created to alert the Council to
changes in human service needs in Chapel Hill, to assure that Chapel Hill citizens receive services to
which they are entitled, coordinate delivery of human services with other agencies, advise the Council
of human service funding needs, and other responsibilities as may be established by the Council.
Library Board of Trustees
The Library Board of Trustees makes recommendations on library
services, facilities, fee policies and budget. Works closely with the Friends of the Library, the
Library Foundation, and the Library Director.
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission makes recommendations to the
Council on recreation services, facilities, fee policies and budget. Makes recommendations on proposed
recreation areas and improvements in proposed residential development and subdivisions.
Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission
The Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission advises the Town
Council on art-related matters. The Commission develops an Annual Art Plan, outlining which projects
from the Capital Improvements Plan should be recommended for Percent for Public Art projects. The
Commission also works to increase public access to the arts through programming initiatives and
promotes understanding and awareness of public art.
Public Housing Program Advisory Board
The Public Housing Program Advisory Board makes recommendations to the
Council on issues involving public housing matters, including policies for the 336 public housing units
in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
Stormwater Management Utility Advisory Board
The Stormwater Management Utility Advisory Board provides
recommendations to the Town Council for implementing new stormwater management program activities,
reviews and provides recommendations on the Stormwater Management Program Master Plan, provides
recommendations for priorities and scheduling of watershed master planning and development of drainage
basin plans, assists Town staff to meet identified goals in service, programs and policies, and
periodically reports to the Town Council on program effect.
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee provides guidance to the Planning Board regarding sustainability
principles to be adopted and monitors implementation of the principles and policies as adopted by the
Council as part of the Comprehensive Plan review process.
Transportation Board
The Transportation Board makes recommendations on services, fares, and
pass prices of the local public transit and parking system. The Board advises the Council on
transportation plans: Thoroughfare Plan, Short-Range Transportation Plan, and Capital Improvements
Program. The Board also makes recommendations on the transportation impact of development proposals.
These are boards and commissions which have been granted the power to act independently of the Town
Council in most instances but on occasion serve in an advisory capacity to the Council.
Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment considers appeals by residents and property
owners from decisions by the Planning Board, Historic District Commission, Community Design Commission
and Town staff in applying the Town's zoning and development regulations. The Board considers requests
for variances from the Watershed Protection District; the Resource Conservation District Ordinance for
floodplains, streams and creeks; and variances from dimensional requirements in the Town's zoning
regulations, such as building setbacks, height limits, lot widths.
Historic District Commission
The Historic District Commission approves or denies applications for
Certificates of Appropriateness for construction, additions, signs and other exterior work in the three
historic districts (Franklin-Rosemary, Cameron-McCauley, and Gimghoul). Residence in the historic
district is not required for appointment. A majority of members must have demonstrated special
interest, experience or education in history or architecture.
Planning Board
The Planning Board makes recommendations on general plans for managing
growth of the community. Examples: the Land Use and Thoroughfare Plans, Goals and Objectives of the
Comprehensive Plan. The Board makes recommendations on applications for special use permits, rezoning
proposals, and changes in the Town's Land Use Management Ordinance. The Board also makes
recommendations on proposed subdivisions of land into individual lots for houses or other buildings.
The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority are the only autonomous boards or commissions.
Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership
The non-profit Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership was created to bring
the resources of the Town, the University, and downtown community together to maintain, enhance, and
promote downtown as the social, cultural, and spiritual center of Chapel Hill structure through
economic development.
OWASA
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) is granted authority by
the General Statutes and was created by joint resolutions of Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill
and Carrboro. It exists to the end that Orange County may be in the most efficient and economical
manner protected for its future growth in connection with necessary water and sewer facilities.
The Council may, from time to time, appoint a Citizen Task Force to examine and make recommendations on
a specific issue. These Task Forces are established for a limited amount of time as needed to study and
report on specific issues of importance to the Council. They may or may not include one or more Council
members or the Mayor.
Active Living By Design Partnership Advisory Committee
The Active Living by Design Partnership Advisory Committee is charged
with providing guidance in the development and implementation of the Town's Active Living By Design
grant and other activities related to encouraging greater physical activity among Town residents. The
Committee also provides the Town Council with recommendations on implementing programs designed to
improve physical activity within Chapel Hill and marketing the program within the community.
Justice in Action Committee
The Justice in Action Committee, formally the Continuing Concerns
Committee is charged with addressing recommendations contained in the report made by the Special
Committee to Consider Renaming Airport Road dated December 6, 2004. The mission of the Committee is to
adequately and effectively reflect the Town of Chapel Hill's integrity and commitment to preserving
racial, economic, and social justice within the community.
Inclusionary Zoning Task Force
The Inclusionary Zoning Task Force is charged with drafting an
inclusionary zoning ordinance for consideration by the Town Council.
Library Building Committee
In November 2003, voters approved a $16.23 million bond for improvements recommended in the Library
Master Plan. In June 2004, the Town Council appointed a 15-member Library
Building Committee to organize a process to select an architect for a facility expansion project,
and work with the architect through the design process
Northern Area Task Force
The Northern Area Task Force was created to provide input and advice on a vision for the Northern Area of Chapel
Hill and how to better manage the future development of the area.
Rogers Road Small Area Plan Task Force
The Rogers Road Small Area Plan Task Force is charged with creating that plan which will include an
analysis of the following topics:
- Desirable Land Uses and Revision to the Land Use Plan
- Water and Sewer Extension Plan
- Roadway Network
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Plan
- Transit Service Plan
- Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendment.
Orange County Committees top
The Town of Chapel Hill participates on several Orange County
committees.
