FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Follow-Up Report on Enforcement of Housing Limit in Northside Neighborhoods
DATE: January 8, 2001
On November 22, 1999, the Town Council adopted a resolution in response to a petition directing the staff to begin more aggressive enforcement in the Northside neighborhood of the Town Development Ordinance regulations limiting the number of unrelated people allowed to live in a single-family or two-family dwelling in the Northside neighborhood.
This report provides the Council with information regarding the monitoring and follow–up activities by staff in this neighborhood.
The Inspections Department has initiated steps to enforce occupancy limitations in the Northside neighborhood. The Department has made site visits and investigated eleven (11) dwelling units for possible zoning violations. We have determined that two rental properties were in violation and “Notices Of Violation” were mailed on July 3, 2000, requiring the property owners to reduce the number of occupants within thirty (30) days. The owner has reduced the number of occupants accordingly and we believe that both properties are in compliance.
We have not received additional complaints regarding occupancy violations at any specific properties within the Northside Neighborhood. The Zoning Inspector routinely reviews the neighborhood as he drives through and he has found no evidence, such as excessive trash or too many parked vehicles that would give reasons to pursue additional investigations.
A representative from the Inspections Department attended a Northside Community Association meeting to explain the ordinance regarding excessive occupancy and discuss procedures to assist residents with filing occupancy related complaints. He continues to provide information and respond to the concerns of Northside residents.
CONCLUSION
We will continue to focus on occupancy enforcement procedures and activities in this area. The Inspections Department will continue to work with neighbors and to monitor the Northside neighborhood.
A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE TOWN MANAGER TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN MORE AGGRESSIVE
ENFORCEMENT OF THE REGULATION LIMITING TO FOUR THE NUMBER OF UNRELATED PEOPLE
ALLOWED TO LIVE IN A TYPICAL SINGLE-FAMILY OR TWO-FAMILY DWELLING IN THE
NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD (99-11-22/R-10a)
WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council has received a petition requesting the Town Council to consider providing for the creation of an overlay district which would restrict the number of unrelated people allowed to live together in a single-family or two-family dwelling to four; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council is considering a draft Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the draft Comprehensive Plan recommends that the Town initiate a Small Area Plan for the Northside neighborhood which would address issues including the number of unrelated individuals living together in a dwelling;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council directs the Town Manager to begin working immediately to more aggressively enforce the regulation limiting to four the number of unrelated people allowed to live in a single-family or two-family dwelling in the Northside Neighborhood.
This the 22nd day of November, 1999.