By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
CARRBORO – In a decision that could allow for the development of the proposed Shelton Station mixed-use development, the Carrboro Board of Aldermen on Tuesday voted 4-3 to approve the rezoning of property planned for the project near the intersection of North Greensboro and Shelton streets.
The project, proposed by Ken Reiter of Belmont Sayre, is a two-building, 110,000-square-foot development on 2.7 acres at 404, 406 and 500 N. Greensboro St. and 113 Parker St. A two-story building with 24,000 square feet of commercial property would face North Greensboro Street. A four-story building, set back from the first and running perpendicular to Parker Street, would house 96 residential units with parking below them.
The rezoning clears the way for the project to go through the conditional use permit process, in which developers will hammer out the details of Shelton Station, subject to approval by town officials.
Reiter said public input has been important throughout the development of the project, noting that public involvement will continue through the CUP process.
“While [the rezoning] was a big hurdle, we still have a long way to go,†he said.
Previously, developers proposed a front building with a third story of residential units, but made changes in order to reduce the total number of residential units from 116 to 96 and thus avoid Department of Transportation regulations that would have required adding a turn lane on North Greensboro Street, potentially cutting into the front yards of houses across the street.
In order for the development and other similar projects to be considered, the board in November approved zoning changes that would allow greater residential density in developments in exchange for mutually agreed-upon conditions for site and building elements to be met in the project, like sustainable-building features, affordable-housing provisions and more, as well as at least 20 percent non-residential development.
Board members were split on the project, with Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Lydia Lavelle, Sammy Slade and Mayor Mark Chilton voting in favor of rezoning, and Dan Coleman, Jacquie Gist and Michelle Johnson dissenting.
Gist said she felt the project did not fit with the character of Carrboro.
“Because we as a community have built this capital and have built something that people want to come in and profit from, which is their right, we have a say in what that’s going to look like,†she said.
“I’m not against all development. I’m not against a development there. I’m against a development that in no way in God’s green earth looks anything at all like what’s surrounding it.â€
Lavelle said she felt the project fit well with the town’s Vision 2020 and its emphasis to grow downtown.
“This is part of that effort to maintain our tax rate, to have people living downtown, spending money downtown,†she said, adding that she felt the project “is pretty much everything that I would be looking for in a development like this.â€
A number of residents spoke against the project, citing concerns about traffic and the project’s effects on the character of the neighborhood.
“I think [the developer] is trying to put something that maybe doesn’t fit with Carrboro into Carrboro,†said Arne Gray, who owns several properties adjacent to the site and lives on one of them. “He’s done a wonderful job of trying to make it fit … but I’m not sure it really fits.â€
Eliza DuBose said she couldn’t believe the project was even being considered.
“I don’t think this street can take any more traffic than it already even has,†she said, adding that while she agrees with concepts of high-density projects, she didn’t believe Shelton Station was worth it “for all the problems this is going to cause on already-dangerous streets.â€
Others said they supported the project, noting its focus on affordable housing, sustainable features and a potential increase to the commercial tax base.
“I think the benefits are pretty clear in the short term – jobs, construction … and in the long term an increase to the tax base,†said David Arneson. “I think this project is one thoughtful, appropriate step forward for growth and development in Carrboro.â€