Pittsboro, NC – The meeting of the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners was called to order on May 12th. The meeting began with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was approved after no changes or additions, along with the consent agenda.
Pittsboro Gears Up for a Sustainable Future: Town Commissioners Address Budget, Growth, and Climate Action
In a busy May meeting, the Pittsboro Board of Commissioners addressed a range of critical issues, from approving the budget and recognizing community achievements to tackling traffic concerns and taking significant steps towards a comprehensive Climate Action Plan. The board also swore in a new police officer and recognized various community achievements, including Main Street and Public Works week.
I. Call to Order and Preliminary Matters
The meeting commenced with a call to order, a moment of silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, setting a tone of respect and community unity. The adoption of the agenda and consent agenda proceeded smoothly, with the commissioners approving the items presented.
II. Community Recognition and Celebrations
The meeting was marked by several ceremonial items celebrating community contributions and recognizing vital services:
Swearing-In of Police Officer Kevin Mitchell: The board welcomed a new member to the Pittsboro Police Department, Officer Kevin Mitchell, during a formal swearing-in ceremony.
National Police Week Proclamation: In recognition of National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), with May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, the board issued a proclamation honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers. The proclamation acknowledged the dedication of the Pittsboro Police Department and paid tribute to fallen officers and their families.
National Public Works Week Proclamation: The commissioners proclaimed May 18-24, 2025, as National Public Works Week, recognizing the essential contributions of public works professionals to the town’s infrastructure, facilities, and services.
Main Street Champion – Tiana Thurber: The board recognized Tiana Thurber as the 2024 Pittsboro Main Street Champion for her remarkable efforts in revitalizing the downtown area. Thurber, owner of Reclamation, was lauded for her leadership roles in the Pittsboro Downtown Advisory Board and the Pittsboro Business Association, and for her creation of community events.
North Carolina Main Street Award Winner – Doherty’s Irish Pub and Restaurant: The board celebrated Doherty’s Irish Pub and Restaurant for receiving the 2025 North Carolina Main Street Award for Best Infill Building Project. This award acknowledged the establishment’s contribution to downtown revitalization and its commitment to community enrichment and historic preservation.
III. Addressing Growth, Land Use, and Development
The commissioners addressed several critical matters related to growth management and development..
Support of Local Land Use Authority and Opposition to HB 765: The board passed a resolution in support of local land-use authority, opposing House Bill 765 and similar state legislation that could limit municipal planning powers. The resolution emphasized the town’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth and its success in achieving housing affordability, housing diversity, and smart land use through local policies. The board urged the North Carolina General Assembly to support municipalities that are achieving housing and development goals through local leadership and partnership.
Interlocal Agreement with Chatham County for Pre-Development Work: The board approved an interlocal agreement with Chatham County to facilitate pre-development planning in downtown Pittsboro. This collaborative effort aims to analyze available properties and develop a comprehensive plan for downtown redevelopment, leveraging the expertise of consulting firm Bolton & Mink.
Redevelopment Analysis Contract with Chatham County: Related to the previous item, the board authorized a contract with Bolton & Mink to perform the pre-development analysis in partnership with Chatham County. This contract is a crucial step in creating a strategic plan for the development of the county and town-owned properties.
IV. Financial Matters
The Board dedicated a significant portion of its time to financial matters, with a focus on the manager’s recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Public Hearing on Manager’s Recommended Budget: The board held a public hearing on the manager’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, which proposed a budget of $14,96,379. Key points discussed included:
The revenue sources for the general fund, including property taxes, motor vehicle taxes, and sales taxes.
The revenue-neutral tax rate, which was calculated to be 34.49 cents, representing a difference of 9.5 cents from the proposed tax rate.
The budget’s use of fund balance and a loan to cover capital expenditures.
The addition of new positions, including two police officer positions, a public works maintenance position, and an IT manager.
Commissioners debated the use of fund balance and the impact of tax rates. They discussed finding a “sweet spot” between revenue neutrality and the financial demands of projected growth, in consideration of rising costs of living.
Questions and comments from the commissioners and public focused on property tax increases, the potential for budget cuts, and the impact of the town’s growth on its finances.
V. Operational and Administrative Items
ABC Board Request to Retain Funds: The board approved the Pittsboro ABC Board’s request to retain 40% of its excess working capital for the restricted capital improvements fund through fiscal year 2024-2025. The funds would be used to support the creation of a new ABC store location.
Downtown Work Plan: A presentation was given on the downtown work plan for the 2026 fiscal year. The plan is structured around a vision statement and includes economic development strategies, the four-point approach, and action steps for various committees. The board reviewed and approved the Downtown Work Plan for fiscal year 2025-2026, which outlines the goals, strategies, and action items for downtown economic development. The plan emphasized the importance of a full-time downtown manager to support the program’s initiatives.
Oakwood Drive Traffic Calming Discussion: The board discussed traffic calming measures for Oakwood Drive, a residential street. After considering the results of recent speed studies, the board decided to continue with education and direct enforcement as the primary approach to address speeding concerns. The commissioners will also examine the current policies.
VI. Climate Action Plan Development
The climate action plan vision statement and framework were presented. The plan includes themes such as green space, extreme weather, energy optimization, multimodal transportation, and solid waste solutions. The framework outlines the approach, community meetings, and next steps. A land use element was added.
Climate Action Plan Vision Statement and Framework: A key focus of the meeting was the development of a Climate Action Plan for Pittsboro. The board approved the vision statement and framework for the plan, which included:
A vision statement emphasizing smart, sustainable growth, natural resource protection, and community resilience.
Sections on green space, extreme weather, energy optimization, multimodal transportation, and solid waste solutions.
A plan to seek community feedback and operationalize the plan with measurable goals and partnerships.
The commissioners appointed Mayor Ship and Commissioner Bonnets as liaison committee members to the climate action plan task force.
The plan has incorporated land use as a first step for the climate action plan.
VII. Community Input
The meeting provided a platform for community members to express their views and concerns through public comment. Key themes included:
Climate Change and Land Use: Residents emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and called for prioritizing land use planning and building density over urban sprawl. Concerns about the impact of development on natural resources, tree canopies, and the preservation of the town’s character were raised.
Chatham Park Development: Several speakers voiced concerns about the proposed small-area plan for Chatham Park, urging the board to maintain its oversight of the development and require the submission of multiple small-area plans to ensure careful planning and community input.
Budget and Growth: Some residents expressed concerns about rising property taxes and the impact of the town’s rapid growth on its infrastructure and services.
Tree Ordinance: Community members requested a robust tree ordinance, tree canopy preservation, and the need for more trees in planned developments.
The skate park fence installation was delayed. The pre-construction meeting for Sanford Road lighting was rescheduled. Staff will start updating the 2018 space needs assessment this week as part of the pre-planning for a town hall project.
A ribbon-cutting was held at the teaching garden at the pop-up park. The mayor attended the North Carolina Mayor’s Association meeting and the State of Chatham event. The EPA announced the continued enforcement of PFAS regulations.
Paragraph 7 Header The meeting included updates from the Central Pines Council, the Chatham County Climate Advisory Committee, and the Chatham County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. There was also time for public comments from residents on various topics.
The public hearing for the manager’s recommended budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026 was opened. General fund revenues, including property taxes and fees, were discussed. The proposed budget totals $14,96,379 and includes new positions and capital expenditures.
The revenue-neutral tax rate was calculated, along with an example of a tax assessment for residential properties. Discussions were held on revenue neutrality and the need to address growth and staffing needs. Questions were raised about a potential cost share for an Oakwood Drive traffic calming project.
A presentation was given on the downtown work plan for the 2026 fiscal year. The plan is structured around a vision statement and includes economic development strategies, the four-point approach, and action steps for various committees. The full-time downtown manager will have the focus on economic development.
A discussion was held regarding traffic calming measures on Oakwood Drive, specifically the installation of speed humps. The police department’s speed studies were reviewed. The current plan is to continue education and direct enforcement.
Additional Notes
Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action
🌳Chatham County’s 64.8% forested land, down 9.7% since 2020, acts as a critical carbon sink but faces threats from transportation emissions (42% of CO2) and indiscriminate tree cutting in proposed developments.
🏙️Preserving tree canopy in developments provides cooling shade, carbon sequestration, and pollution offset, while clear-cutting increases urban heat islands, necessitating a robust tree ordinance.
🏘️Building up instead of out is more resource-efficient, supporting shared resources and energy-efficient living, while sprawl and large homes increase climate impacts and housing costs.
🌿The town is developing a comprehensive plan for parks, greenways, and open spaces to enhance community livability and promote environmental conservation.
Urban Development and Planning
🏗️Chatham Park, an 8,500-acre development, will increase Pittsboro’s population by 1,000%, with the town requiring small area plans for flexibility in adjusting goals based on community feedback and environmental considerations.
🏠The town projects growth of 1,000 homes annually for the next 30 years, with new homes having higher values than legacy ones.
🏢Bolton & Menk was selected to handle redevelopment planning for four city blocks of transformative properties in downtown Pittsboro, focusing on implementation and finding the right development partners.
🚗Proposed Chatham Park South Village development of 5,000 acres risks sprawl and automobile dependency, while maintaining multiple smaller area plans allows for incremental, adaptable development.
Fiscal Management and Governance
💰The proposed FY 2025-2026 budget of $14,996,379 uses $1,194,379 from fund balance and anticipates a $785,500 loan for capital expenditures.
📊The revenue neutral tax rate of 34.49 cents per $100 value is 9.5 cents lower than the proposed 44-cent rate, based on a 12.8% average growth rate.
🏦The town’s unassigned fund balance is currently around 45%, with projections to end the fiscal year above 50% unassigned and 75% total.
🚓The budget adds two police officers, a public works position, an IT manager, and expands the downtown events coordinator to full-time, starting in January 2026.
Community Initiatives and Recognition
🏆Tiana Thurber was recognized as the 2024 Pittsboro Main Street Champion for her leadership in supporting local businesses and co-founding the Chattam Vintage Trail.
👮The Town proclaimed May 11-17, 2025 as National Police Week and designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
🏘️Pittsboro secured a commitment from Chatham Park developers to allocate 7.5% of residential properties as affordable homes, up from the initial 1% proposal.
Infrastructure and Services
🚰The Market at Colonade in Raleigh demonstrates innovative stormwater management, capturing and recycling 98% of rainfall on-site using rain barrels, detention chambers, and irrigation.
🚗Traffic calming on Oakwood Drive may require $20,000 for three speed humps, with 75% of residents signing a petition for measures due to perceived traffic issues.
🍺The Pittsboro ABC board requested to retain 40% of excess working capital for a restricted capital improvements fund through FY 2425 to build funds for a third ABC store location.