Latest plan for this Chapel Hill site is twice as big, but has housing, commercial mix

A developer who is already transforming Chapel Hill’s eastern border now wants to build more housing north of downtown where future residents could walk to work, shops and bus stops.

EB Capital Partners LLC is the developer behind Chapel Hill Crossing , which has already been approved for Old Durham Road, and a concept plan for East Lakeview , which the Town Council reviewed in the spring.

In July, EB Capital developer Ernie Brown submitted a concept plan for 860 Weaver Dairy , showing up to 950 apartments, townhomes, duplexes and condos on 45 acres off Weaver Dairy Road. Flexible commercial buildings could also bring a hotel or retail spaces.

A concept plan is a rough draft of what could be built and does not include details that would be submitted in an official development application. The council provides feedback to the developer, but does not vote on concept plans.

The 860 Weaver Dairy site backs up to Interstate 40 and includes stream buffers and a utility easement that limit how much land can be developed. It sits north of Timberlyne shopping center and east of Chapel Hill North, and is surrounding by medical offices.

Lakeview Mobile Home Park , which has faced increased development pressure, is immediately south of the site.

A 2022 proposal for the site — Lullwater Park , a neighborhood of 489 apartments and townhomes — won some council praise, but also raised concerns about density near existing homes and stormwater runoff.

Neighbors also worried about the loss of trees and risk of more traffic to pedestrians and cyclists in the busy east-west corridor. The latest plan preserves some undeveloped portions of the land and also provides a mix of residential options and commercial space that the council wants to help with a critical housing shortage.

The council will review EB Capital’s plan for 860 Weaver Dairy at its Sept. 11 meeting.

Why is Chapel Hill approving so much dense housing?

▪ Chapel Hill has a shortage of housing and affordable options, a growing problem in communities across the country.

▪ Housing is too expensive : Over 55% of Chapel Hill renters and 19% of the town’s homeowners are cost burdened, which means they pay more than 30% of their income for housing.

▪ The town hired a consultant to study the issue a few years ago, and the 2021 report recommended the town add about 485 housing units a year for the next 20 years to meet the growing demand. Only 10% of the housing should serve UNC students.

▪ The town last estimated over 3,000 housing units are needed for households earning less than 60% of the area median income: $44,520 a year for an individual or $63,540 for a family of four.

▪ The town wants more “missing middle housing,” which can make housing more affordable over time by increasing supply; adding smaller units that cost less to build; and putting more homes on a single lot, reducing the cost to each household for land.

Details of the 860 Weaver Dairy plan

▪ Housing : 500 to 650 rental apartments; 250 to 300 for-sale townhomes, duplexes and condos

▪ Affordable housing : At least 15% of the for-sale housing and 10% of the apartments could be affordable to households earning up to 80% of the area median income. That’s up to $59,360 a year for a single person or $84,720 for a family of four.

▪ Commercial : A central building behind the Vilcom Center could house retail, offices or a hotel. Other mixed-use buildings are possible north of Kensington Trace condominiums and between St. Benedict’s Anglican Church and the Coventry neighborhood.

▪ Building size : Ranging from 3 to 4 stories on the eastern end of the site, up to 6 stories at the western end, near existing apartments

▪ Parking : Townhome garages, surface lots and a parking deck

▪ Amenities : Greenway trail, park

What else is on the council’s agenda?

The council will return from its summer break on Sept. 11. The agenda is still being drafted and will be posted at this link . In addition to 860 Weaver Dairy, the council could review:

▪ Overlook at the Cedars : A revised plan to build 10 condominiums instead of eight at 207 and 209 Meadowmont Lane. A virtual public information meeting with more details is scheduled for 5:15 pm Aug. 29.

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