MAIN PRIORITIES

 

• Improving Economic and Transportation Mobility

 

Mobility, both economic and transportation, need to be focal points in Carrboro policy making. Carrboro's income inequality has expanded where there are pockets of rich and poor. Middle income people can no longer afford to live in Carrboro. We need to work towards addressing this gap through expanding the availability of middle-income housing and adding businesses that provide quality, well-paying jobs. Graduates of UNC do not choose to stay in Carrboro because there aren't any employment opportunities for young professionals. 

 

Carrboro is a cycling and walking pioneer in the South, but there is room for improvement.  Creating safe, complete, and convenient streets with children and seniors in mind will create safe streets for everyone. It is essential to connect those of us who reside south of route 54 and along Homestead Road who are cut off from the rest of the community without an automobile.

 

• Building Healthier Communities

 

Carrboro is already a healthy community, but we can do better. We have great parks, but they should be more accessible to the entire community by providing a greater variety of activities and allowing people to arrive safely by foot or bike. Carrboro should not just be healthy, but be a mecca for active living. There are many underutilized park spaces. I propose filling them with outdoor fitness equipment, known as "Par Courses", that provide free excercise activities for all residents. This not only makes our community fitter, but also increases the social equity of our Town.

 

• Supporting Progressive Community Values

  

Carrboro is notably one of the few progressive towns in a non progressive state. We are known as a community that welcomes all types of families, religions, ethnicity, and political views. We believe that conserving energy, reducing our contribution to solid waste, and walking and biking instead of driving are important behaviors that improve our health and environment. Many of our citizens are active and vocal against national and state policies that negatively impact the poor, minorities, and women's rights. As a town, we should encourage and reward citizen activism. We also can let the NC legislature know that the town of Carrboro stands against these policies and encourage other towns with similar views to do the same. Carrboro should be a role model for other progressive towns in NC.

 

OTHER PRIORITIES

 

• Increase Affordable Housing
  
  Carrboro used to be built for the middle class. Today, it seems to only build for the wealthy. When areas are rezoned, unlocking enormous value to developers, that in return they should build housing for low and middle income families, a concept known as mandatory inclusionary zoning. We also need to start an affordable housing land bank which will acquire, hold, and manage tax-delinquent or abandoned properties. A town land bank will have the authority to facilitate resale or execute a redevelopment plan to achieve a long-term affordable housing solution. 
   

 

• Comprehensive Plans for Increased Community Investment:

 

Carrboro needs a regularly updated comprehensive land use plan in order to provide developers and business owners with a reliable, predictable, and clear view of our development policy and design standards. Vision 2020, our land use planning document, has not been updated since it was adopted in 2000 and includes vague policy statements that developers can misinterpret.

We need a comprehensive plan with a map outlining where and what kind of future development we want. Combined with our land use zoning ordinance, a comprehensive plan provides developers with greater flexibility to be creative within the framework of our future goals. A regularly updated plan with citizen input ensures a friendlier business atmosphere and more efficient use of resources.

  

 

• Connected Streets to Ease Congestion:

Although the connector roads policy was largely ignored by past Boards of Alderman in the past 20+ years, there is still an opportunity to connect our cul-de-sacs and dead end streets with multi-use paths to allow walkers and cyclists easier access to friends, neighbors, commercial areas, and workplace. This will help free up road and parking space for out of town visitors.

 

• Citizen Input:

 

We need to do a better job of communicating with the public about upcoming events, development proposals, ordinances, and meetings. Events to bring together all members of the community need to be held and given increased and equal publicity. We need to increase and activate our public spaces to make it accessible for all residents to make Carrboro a truly democratic place.