Title
Request to Set a Legislative Public Hearing on a Land Use Ordinance Text Amendment Relating to the Office-Residential Mixed Use (OR-MU) Zoning District
PURPOSE: To request the Town Council set a public hearing to consider an amendment to the Land Use Ordinance to clarify density and dimensional standards for existing residential uses in the OR-MU district, including modifications, expansions, and new construction. A resolution setting a public hearing for March 17, 2026, has been provided.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ____ Climate __X_ Comprehensive Plan ___Other
Council Direction Statement
The Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan includes recommendations for staff to simplify and clarify the Land Use Ordinance. While the New Unified Development Ordinance (New UDO) project is underway, opportunities remain to add clarity to the existing development regulations and support opportunities for residents to reasonably develop and add residential density to properties zoned OR-MU - which are exclusively within Downtown Carrboro.
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INFORMATION:
Information
The OR-MU district was originally established for a development proposal involving the construction of a multi-family residential apartment project by the STGL ownership group at the eastern edge of Downtown Carrboro. Seeking opportunities to include commercial uses in the project and/or future projects in the area, the Town established the OR-MU district and subsequently applied the new zoning classification to an area along the west side of Merritt Mill Road. While the STGL project did not move forward, the zoning designation has remained in place. The zoning map amendment and language establishing the OR-MU District was approved on June 20, 2006. Information can be found at the following links:
• Agenda Item Abstract: BOARD OF ALDERMEN <http://www01.townofcarrboro.org/BoA/Agendas/2006/06_20_2006_D4.pdf>
• Attachments (Previous Meeting Minutes): 06_20_2006_D4A.pdf <http://www01.townofcarrboro.org/BoA/Agendas/2006/06_20_2006_D4A.pdf>
As much of the focus of the new district was on commercial and mixed-use development opportunities, the adopted OR-MU language did not speak to allowances for residential uses such as additions to existing homes, new construction for residential uses, nor appropriate density and dimensional standards for such projects. The purpose of this text amendment is to add appropriate standards in keeping with the original intent of the OR-MU district.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: There are minimal advertising costs and staff time associated with setting a public hearing.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommend that the Town Council approve the resolution setting a public hearing for March 17, 2026, and referring the draft ordinance to advisory boards and Orange County for review. A resolution for this purpose is provided as Attachment A.
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