Pittsboro commissioners approve downtown study, adopt resolutions and other measures in May 12 meeting

PITTSBORO, N.C. — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners on May 12 approved a set of resolutions and administrative actions, authorized a joint downtown predevelopment study with Chatham County, allowed the ABC board to retain a portion of excess working capital, and received a presentation on the manager's proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget.

The board also opened and closed a public hearing on the manager's proposed budget and later approved a climate action plan vision and framework (with a requested addition of land-use language) and appointed two board liaisons to an internal staff task force.

The most consequential administrative approvals were a) an interlocal agreement with Chatham County for joint predevelopment work on multiple publicly owned downtown parcels, b) a contract with the consultant team Bolton & Mank (with subcontract partners) to perform the redevelopment analysis, and c) a budget amendment to reflect county participation in that predevelopment study. The board adopted the agreements and the related budget amendment after motions and recorded aye votes.

Other items approved by the board included ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Police Week and Public Works Week; a resolution naming Tiana Thurber Pittsboro's 2024 Main Street champion; a resolution congratulating Doherty's Irish Pub and Restaurant for receiving the 2025 North Carolina Main Street Award for best infill building project; and a town resolution opposing state bills that the resolution said would preempt municipal land-use authority (the resolution specifically cited House Bill 765 and other bills by number).

The board also approved a request by the Pittsboro ABC Board to retain 40% of its excess working capital for restricted capital improvements for a planned second store, as allowed by statute.

The board took the following formal actions during the May 12 meeting: approve the interlocal agreement and consultant contract for downtown predevelopment; adopt a corresponding budget amendment; authorize the Pittsboro ABC Board to retain 40% of excess working capital for capital improvements; adopt multiple ceremonial proclamations and recognitions; and adopt the climate action plan vision and framework with the addition of land use and appointment of two liaisons.

The manager's proposed budget was presented and discussed (see separate article). A number of residents spoke during the public-comments period urging stronger tree protections, opposing a single large small-area plan for Chatham Park South Village and urging the town to prioritize higher-density development and other climate-related measures; those comments were heard but did not alter the formal votes taken that evening.

Votes at a glance: - Authorized town manager to execute an interlocal agreement (ILA) with Chatham County for downtown predevelopment work; motion moved by Commissioner Bonitz; outcome: approved. - Adopted the Town of Pittsboro ILA resolution; outcome: approved. - Authorized town manager to execute a predevelopment contract with Bolton & Mank for downtown analysis; outcome: approved. - Approved a budget amendment to cover the redevelopment analysis (reflecting county participation); outcome: approved. - Authorized the Pittsboro ABC Board to retain 40% of excess working capital for the restricted capital improvements fund (fiscal year reference in packet); outcome: approved (motion made and seconded). - Adopted resolutions and proclamations (National Police Week; Public Works Week; Main Street champion for Tiana Thurber; recognition of Doherty's Irish Pub award); outcome: approved. - Adopted a resolution opposing House Bill 765 and similar legislation that would limit municipal land-use authority; outcome: approved. - Approved the Downtown Pittsboro work plan for fiscal year 2025-26 as presented; outcome: approved. - Approved the climate action plan vision statement and framework with the addition of land use to the first element, and appointed the mayor and Commissioner Bonitz as board liaisons to the climate action plan task force; outcome: approved. - Entered closed session under N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-318.11 (a)(3),(a)(5),(a)(6); outcome: approved to enter closed session.

Notes: where the transcript records only a voice vote ("All those in favor say aye") and does not list individual tallies, the meeting record shows motions passed by voice vote as approved; the transcript does not provide full roll-call tallies for those items.

Ending: The board adjourned after returning from closed session; the manager and staff will follow up on implementation steps for the approved downtown predevelopment study and the climate action plan process.