During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on community lighting and housing initiatives, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and affordable housing solutions in local neighborhoods.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the absence of street lighting in certain areas, particularly in the Georgetown community. Residents expressed concerns about inadequate lighting, prompting officials to clarify that while the city provides amenity lights in parks, streetlights are typically the responsibility of electric companies like Duke Energy. City officials noted that any requests for new streetlights would need to be addressed through the planning process involving developers, who are required to include lighting in their project proposals.

In addition to lighting issues, the meeting featured insights from Dr. Bregg, who attended a Community Land Trust workshop in Newbern. The workshop emphasized the role of community land trusts in providing safe and affordable housing. Dr. Bregg shared that these trusts create pathways for individuals to invest in housing, particularly for those who may struggle to afford traditional homeownership. The discussion highlighted successful models from North Carolina, including the Durham Community Land Trust, which has been operational since 1987 and focuses on both wealth building and ongoing affordability.

Dr. Bregg underscored the importance of community land trusts in preserving property ownership within families and communities, particularly for historically marginalized groups. The potential for these trusts to alleviate tax burdens and protect land from being lost to development was also discussed, with a call for local organizations to consider establishing a land trust in Georgetown.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to explore these topics further, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue about community needs and the importance of fostering livable neighborhoods.