NEWS

Moeser comments about deletion of zoning exemption from budget bill

Chancellor James Moeser today (May 31) issued this statement following action in the State Senate to delete a budget bill provision exempting the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from municipal zoning authority:

"After consultation with Senator Howard Lee and following discussions with Mayor Waldorf, I asked the senator to withdraw the zoning provision included in the Senate’s budget measure. Senator Lee convinced the Senate leadership to grant this request, which resulted in the deletion of the provision. We are grateful for his assistance.

The university supported the legislative proposal because we were convinced that the town would not approve the university’s development plan in its entirety if it were split into separate zoning districts, each subject to a super majority vote by council members.

Since then, I have had productive conversations with the mayor, who now assures me that the town will handle the university’s rezoning request as a single action instead of nine separate votes by the council. Our goal remains the approval of the university’s campus development plan in its entirety. The successful implementation of the bond referendum projects and the master plan are crucial to the future of the university and the entire state.

We believe that the town is also committed to the university’s progress and we trust that our discussions will move forward smoothly to a successful conclusion. We look forward to continuing that process in good faith as soon as possible.

I want to thank Senator Howard Lee for his tireless work behind the scenes to find a common ground of understanding between the town and the university. We are also indebted to Senator Tony Rand for his continuing advocacy for the university."

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