News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (Feb. 26, 2025)
Take a look #BehindtheScenes at Carrboro Town Hall where employees come together to learn more about the programs and functions of Town government. This week, we heard from the offices of Town Manager and Town Clerk in a mock Council meeting that was both fun and informative! We are circling a new date for the grand opening celebration of the Drakeford Library Complex. Did you know that spring is only a few weeks away? Time to add a few community favs to your calendar, including the Earth Day Celebration & Open Streets, Carrboro Day, and Carrboro's Freight Train Blues concert series.
Spotlight: Town Manager and Town Clerk
The Town of Carrboro Human Resources Department organizes a monthly program that shines the light on individual Town departments to help inform staff of the functions of various departments, to encourage sharing and inter-departmental communication, and to foster innovation and collaboration.
In a recent spotlight program on Tuesday, Feb. 25 held at Town Hall, the Town Manager and Town Clerk offices offered information to a gathering of interested staff members.
Staff participated in a mock council meeting led by Town Manager Patrice Toney and heard reports from Chief Race and Equity Officer Anita Jones-McNair, Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Armbruster, Assistant to the Town Manager Reilly Stahl and Town Clerk Lamar Joiner.
Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Armbruster accepts the Invasive Species Awareness Month Proclamation from Mayor Barbara Foushee at the Feb. 19 Town Council Meeting.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims Feb. 24 -28 as National Invasive Species Awareness Week in Carrboro.
The spread of invasive species decreases biodiversity, threatens the survival of native plants and animals and interferes with ecosystem functions.
Native plant species:
perform ecosystem functions such as flood mitigation, soil nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration
increase biodiversity and support food webs
possess adaptations to local conditions, providing savings on maintenance costs by requiring less water, pesticides and fertilizers
decrease the threat of wildfire by supporting normal levels of fuel loading
represent elements of a region’s natural and cultural heritage
Postponed: Drakeford Library Complex Grand Opening Celebration
Due to inclement weather and out of concern for everyone's safety, community leaders decided to postpone the grand opening celebration of the Drakeford Library Complex located at 203 S. Greensboro St. The facility is now open to the public. A new date will be announced for a grand opening celebration.
More information:
The Town of Carrboro posts regular updates to the community on the Town website and through social media. Sign up to receive Carrboro Town News updates.
Carrboro celebrates Elizabeth Cotten year-round and also lifts up her legacy during Black History Month. Please watch the video from our special program held on her birthday anniversary earlier this year (Jan. 5, 2025) with descendants who shared songs and family stories. Visit our webpage learn more about Ms. Cotten and her contributions to the world and our community.
Watch the United Strings of Color Performance
Watch the XOXOK Concert
The Town kicks off the new Unified Development Code Project. Help us write the new code!
The Town of Carrboro is replacing the Carrboro Land Use Ordinance with a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The adoption of new land use regulations is a key part of implementing the visioning spelled out in the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan.
How does this affect you?
While the UDO in concerned with land use, it’s more than a tool for homeowners and developers. We want to hear from you about how this tool can realize the various climate, race and equity, stormwater, and sustainable development goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
The UDO will …
contain local zoning and subdivision regulations and associated permitting procedures
govern everything from what kind of new housing developments are easiest to build in Carrboro to how simple it is to add a shed behind your house.
include provisions designed to incentivize the creation of attainable and affordable housing options
dictate what kind of stormwater and flooding protections will be installed with new and infill developments
prescribe standards for the preservation of trees, planting of new ones, and how much shade and canopy coverage lots and developments will need.
The UDO may update street standards, including the establishment of sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and traffic calming throughout town.
How can you get involved?
Visit engage.carrboronc.gov/udo to learn more about the project, sign up for updates, and stay up to date with future engagement opportunities.
Call the project information line at 919-913-3181 to leave a comment by voicemail, learn about upcoming events, or connect with planning staff if you have a question.
Find us at Carrboro in Motion on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Estes Park Apartments
Join us at one of our many opportunities to get involved over the course of this 18-month project. The schedule of these can be found on the project webpage at engage.carrboronc.gov/udo
Carrboro's Green Neighborhoods Grant Program now accepting applications
The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will either reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.
Grant Program Goals:
Educate and empower neighborhoods to address climate change.
Build neighborhood capacity to engage in climate action.
Develop and enhance community and Town partnerships.
Leverage Town and neighborhood involvement and resources
Distribute resources to low-income communities and communities of color who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
Maximum grant amount: $2,500.00
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
All projects must:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.
Be completed within eleven months of grant award.
Be initiated, planned, and implemented by community members.
Obtain Town permits required for construction, if applicable.
Designate a fiscal agent with Federal Tax ID number, also known as an EIN.
The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Feb. 18 , and took the following actions on the agenda available at https://ecs.page.link/39wrj
Received the Invasive Species Awareness Week proclamation and approved a Resolution in Support of House Bill 24 “Restore Down-Zoning Authority”
Approved Town Council Liaison Board/Committee Assignments
Approved the installation of traffic calming measures on Rossburn Way
Approved a request for funding from Rebuilding Together of the Triangle by the Affordable Housing Special Revenue Fund
Approved budget, grand and capital project ordinance amendments for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the Fire & Rescue, Housing & Community Services, Planning, Zoning, and Inspections, Police, and Public Works Department. Increasing the authorization of the General Fund by $570,000; increasing the authorization of the Grant Fund by $20,000; and increasing the Capital Projects Fund by $490,000.
ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC
Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.
Maybe it's because we're coming out from all that cold weather, but spring definitely brings out the weird and wonderful in us. Which means it's prime time for you to experience only-in-Carrboro free festivals and events. Join us as we play in our public spaces, celebrate Elizabeth Cotten, and feel that small town pride. Who’s ready to play Giant Jenga?
Carrboro Earth Day Celebration & Open Streets: Sunday, April 6
Celebrate Earth Day from noon to 4 p.m. with an event that brings people together for an afternoon of eco-friendly activities and outdoor fun. Enjoy a car-free East and West Weaver St in downtown Carrboro transformed into vibrant spaces for cycling, walking, and exploring green initiatives. Let’s make Earth Day a celebration of nature, sustainability, and collective action towards a greener future!
Freight Train Blues: May 16, 23, 30, and June 6
Join the Music Maker Foundation at the Carrboro Town Commons on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the 11thannual celebration of Carrboro blues legend Elizabeth Cotten. The series honors her contributions to the American roots genre by highlighting the cultural significance of the Carolina Piedmont style and its connections to current artists like Diana Tuffin bringing Blues & Jazz, to Conjunto Breve bringing in the Salsa night.
Carrboro Day Celebration: May 4
Grab a blanket and a friend and head to Carrboro Town Commons from 1-5 p.m. to celebrate Carrboro Day, an annual celebration on the first Sunday in May. Meet your neighbors and learn about the town’s history as well as the occupants of the new Drakeford Library Complex, while enjoying live music, crafts, food and more.
2025 Winter-Spring Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide Now Available
The 2025 Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Winter-Spring Program Guide is now available! This guide covers programs and events from January through April, including Spring Athletic Leagues, and registration for 2025 Summer Camps.
Register at the Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro St. during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and online via RecConnect at www.carrbororec.org
If you are a new participant who wishes to register online, please be sure to set up via our online registration site (linked below). Please allow at least 3 business days for account review and approval.
If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department at 919-918-7364.
It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 11 public lots all over town.
Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.
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