Chatham Park offers to fund early construction of Chatham Parkway South; Pittsboro commissioners ask for timeline and DOT clarifications
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Summary
Representatives for Chatham Park Investors presented a plan June 13 to accelerate construction of the NCDOT‑programmed Chatham Parkway South (STIP R‑5963) by funding and constructing the roadway on developer‑owned right of way, with NCDOT reimbursement; commissioners expressed general support but asked for CTP and feeder‑road clarifications before formal action.
Chatham Park Investors representatives and town staff outlined a proposed developer‑funded acceleration of Chatham Parkway South during the June 13 Pittsboro Board of Commissioners meeting.
Attorney and development representatives told the board the project alignment is on property controlled by Chatham Park Investors and that the developer proposes to step into the municipality’s role under state statute to accelerate a STIP project. The presenters said the acceleration would be structured so the developer funds design, right‑of‑way and construction and is reimbursed by NCDOT under the state’s acceleration statute; they emphasized the developer would indemnify the town and that, in staff’s view, the action would come at no net cost to the town.
Commissioners focused questions on feeder roads and pedestrian connectivity, and asked NCDOT to confirm whether an updated Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) and area feeder road alignments will be available in time and how the accelerated timeline could affect the CTP and local intersections. Several commissioners supported acceleration in principle, saying the road is needed to relieve truck traffic through downtown and to serve planned large developments, but asked staff and the developer to return with clarified draft agreements, an expected timeline, and written responses from NCDOT that detail how the town’s role as conduit would work in practice.
Developer representatives and the town manager agreed to provide revised contractual language, exhibit clarifications (for example, which party will serve as applicant for specific permits), and to confirm how land value and reimbursement will be recorded. Commissioners asked staff to return with materials for a formal decision at a future meeting (staff suggested a July or early August follow‑up).
