Title
Resolution to Adopt the Orange County Heat Action Plan
PURPOSE: To approve the 2026 Orange County Heat Action Plan.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager's Office
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
_X__ Race/Equity __X__ Climate __X__ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
Preparing to protect the public against extreme heat risks aligns with several of the Town Council's strategic objectives. Chapter 4 of the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan (Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan | Carrboro, NC - Official Website), Climate Action and Environment, contains core strategies to build resilience, including initiatives to "build infrastructure and community systems that can withstand the inevitable impacts of climate change." It includes a focus on low-income and historically marginalized neighborhoods that are disproportionately impacted by urban heat islands. The Comprehensive Plan calls for the development and implementation of an Urban Forestry Master Plan to prioritize tree-planting programs in those areas to reduce extreme heat. It also integrates hazard preparation into its broader climate resilience framework, focusing on ensuring Town facilities remain operational during extreme weather events. Finally, the Housing and Public Services sections of the Comprehensive Plan advocate for expanding weatherization to protect residents from extreme heat and updating the UDO to include climate-smart development standards that reduce heat-absorbing surfaces.
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Information
INFORMATION: Extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States, claiming more lives in most years than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined. In Carrboro, it poses serious health risks, especially for residents most vulnerable to heat related illness, outdoor workers, the unhoused, and those without adequate cooling and insulation or the means to afford high summer energy bills. As summer temperatures continue t...
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