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Town of Chapel Hill · Town Council
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · INFORMATION ITEMS ONLY

Regular meeting Intergovernmental agreementsEnvironment and sustainabilityHousing and affordabilityParks and recreationRoads and transportationWater and sewer

Agenda document Meeting page Watch

What's on this agenda

Chapel Hill's 30 September information packet carries three reports for the town council. It is not a meeting, and nothing in it is up for discussion or a vote. The Orange Water and Sewer Authority asks for comment on draft principles for dealing with PFAS, the "forever chemicals" it finds in the Cane Creek Reservoir, in wastewater and in biosolids. OWASA held community chats on 1 and 6 October and will take the feedback to its board in late fall.

The town's housing department reports 72 affordable homes developed and 252 preserved in fiscal 2026, with $6.3 million spent through partners. That puts the town at 27% of its five-year development goal and 76% of its preservation goal. The packet also carries a progress update on the J Branch Rail Trail study. The study is looking at the 10.8-mile Norfolk Southern spur that serves UNC's power plant as a possible trail, and it is due in May 2027.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Speaking at this meeting

Town of Chapel Hill's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Agenda items (5)

Staff or committee report · 3Procedural · 2
  1. TOWN COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKET
    Procedural
  2. INFORMATION ITEM(S)
    Procedural
  3. 1. OWASA’s Draft PFAS Guiding Principles
    Staff or committee report Environment and sustainabilityIntergovernmental agreementsWater and sewer
    OWASA asks for feedback on six draft principles for PFAS decisions, among them protecting public health and protecting ratepayer interests. The utility reports PFAS in the Cane Creek Reservoir, in wastewater despite no major industrial source, in reclaimed water and in biosolids, and is using powdered activated carbon to meet coming drinking water standards.
  4. 2. J Branch Rail Trail Feasibility Study Updates
    Staff or committee report Intergovernmental agreementsParks and recreationRoads and transportation
    Consultant VHB reports the J Branch Rail Trail feasibility study is about halfway done. The study covers the 10.8-mile Norfolk Southern line that carries coal to UNC's cogeneration plant, from campus to the North Carolina Railroad main line near Hillsborough. No decision has been made on the line's use, and no money is identified. The final report is due in May 2027.
  5. 3. Housing and Community Development Affordable Housing Annual Report and Department Update
    Staff or committee report Housing and affordability
    The fiscal 2026 affordable housing report counts 72 affordable homes developed, 252 preserved, 148 households helped with property taxes, and $6.3 million deployed through partners from an $11.3 million housing budget. Staff estimate 1,100 affordable units will be finished over the next five years. Median gross rent rose 32% in five years, and 57% of renters pay more than 30% of income on housing.

Agenda changes

What moved between published versions of this agenda. Item numbers shift constantly as things are inserted, so only genuine additions and removals are listed.

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