Marketed by Terra Nova Global Properties (919)929-2005. Examples and selections are showcased in our office as well as in the display window at Elmos in Carr Mill mall.

I have to admit I don’t like being cold and when local residents want to look at our houses they’ll even quit early if it gets too chilly. I took my boys skiing in Vermont over Christmas break and loved the three feet of snow on the slopes but driving in it and trudging around on what used to be called sidewalks? No way. I’d never sell house until there was a good spring thaw. I’m totally impressed with how Realtors handle their individual businesses. I’m sure they’d laugh at us when they hear our open houses and showings are down during big ACC games.

The Council approved Resolute Building Co. as the potential contractor for the construction of the Homestead Park Aquatics Center. The Manager was directed to negotiate and execute a contract not to exceed $5.238 million with the construction company. The project will include a 26,845 square foot building with two pools, one a lap-team pool of 25 yards by 25 meters and the other a warmer, family-teaching pool of 25 yards by 10 yards. The project also will include bleachers, locker rooms, a reception area and public art. Funding for the project comes from Town Park bonds of more than $1 million, Orange County Park and Recreation bonds of more than $4 million, and proposed borrowing of $750,000. Plans for the aquatics center come from years of community conversation over the need for additional public swimming facilities as outlined in a 2002 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

May 11, 2007

Protecting Trees in Chapel Hill

The Chapel Hill Town Council invites public input and discussion on proposed changes to the Tree Protection Ordinance at a public hearing set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 14, at Chapel Hill Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Proposed changes to the Tree Protection Ordinance would establish a new vision statement that calls for no net loss of trees/canopy cover and an increase in trees proportional to population growth. Regulations propose a permitting process for tree removal on private property, including residential.

The first step of the phased proposal would require a permit to remove trees in a cumulative area of more than 5,000 square feet. Changes are also proposed to lower the threshold size of trees that must be surveyed. The ordinance revision is linked to a Townwide commitment to sustainability with the potential to reduce carbon emissions and decrease the urban “heat-island” effect.

Chapel Hill’s existing Tree Protection ordinance requires residents to submit tree protection plans and tree surveys if they intend to remove trees as part of a building project (such as a house addition) that will affect 5,000 square feet or more of land. This requirement applies to single-family and two-family homes.

The proposed interim changes to the ordinance would require permits to remove trees in a cumulative area more than 5,000 square feet even if a building permit is not involved. In addition, the minimum threshold size of trees that must be surveyed is proposed to be lowered. The interim measures, as proposed, would not regulate the removal of individual trees on single- and two-family properties.

To develop new tree regulations, the Council has endorsed a two-phased approach - moderate restrictions in the short term, followed by more substantive changes in the future. The Council plans to hire a consultant with expertise in specialized tree ordinances to develop the more substantive changes to the Tree Protection Ordinance.

More comprehensive revisions for the future could include regulations that apply to all regulated land uses, including existing single-family residential regardless of the amount of clearing proposed; regulations that account for variation among species, particular our region, climate, and eco-systems; and, regulations that include a permitting process for tree removal with financial disincentives for unauthorized tree removal.

Information: www.townofchapelhill.org (see link to Tree Ordinance on homepage) or 968-2728.

Once again the Town of Chapel Hill anticipates tens of thousands of people downtown on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, for its annual Halloween festival. The festival will run from 9 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. 

As always, there will be little parking available close to downtown and there will be no place for charter buses to drop off or pick up passengers.  The Town will provide shuttle bus service from four Park-and-Ride Lots to two locations downtown. Visitors are encouraged to use the shuttle buses. They will be the most convenient way to get to and from the Franklin Street area.

Street Closures:
Some downtown streets will be closed to vehicular traffic at 9 p.m.

Streets that will be closed include:

Franklin Street, from Raleigh Street to Roberson Street
Columbia Street, from Rosemary Street to Cameron Avenue
Raleigh Street, from East Franklin to Cameron Avenue (for a shuttle bus stop)
Henderson Street, from East Rosemary Street to East Franklin Street
Residential streets near downtown will be closed except to residents of those streets and their guests.

Parking:
Vehicles parked in the festival area will be towed beginning at 6 p.m.
Vehicles that are illegally parked will be ticketed and towed, with a minimum recovery cost of $103.
Parking will be available in Town parking lots, including the Rosemary Street Deck, for $10 per vehicle.
Media vehicles will not be allowed to park inside the closed perimeter.
Prohibited Items:
Alcohol will not be permitted in the festival area. All other state and local laws pertaining to alcohol will be enforced as usual.

Town ordinances and State statutes prohibit the following items in the closed area:

Alcoholic Beverages
Weapons
Glass Bottles
Paint
Fireworks and Explosives
Flammable Substances
Animals
Coolers
Items, even as part of a costume, which can be used as weapons or could reasonably be mistaken as weapons will be confiscated. This includes items made of wood, metal, cardboard or hard plastic.

Shuttle Buses:
The Town will offer shuttle service between four Park-and-Ride Lots and downtown Chapel Hill. Everyone is encouraged to use the shuttle service.

Shuttle buses will run from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The cost is $5 round-trip.

The routes will be:

Jones Ferry Road Lot in Carrboro to South Columbia Street at Cameron Avenue
Southern Village (15-501 South) Lot to South Columbia Street at Cameron Avenue
Friday Center Park & Ride Lot to Cameron Avenue at Raleigh Street.
University Mall to Cameron Avenue at Raleigh Street
For more information, please contact Officer Phil Smith at (919) 968-2760 ext.134 or psmith@townofchapelhill.org.

5 bedrooms, 4.2 Baths, 3 Car Garage, Over 6,000 SF

For more details click here http://217nottingham.com/

To view new homes in Winmore click on the link below. I’m happy to provide more information and email it directly to you upon request.

http://winmoreneighborhood.com/Inventory.aspx

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME: 

_____    Trim and fertilize lawn, shrubs and trees.
_____    Clear debris from lawn and the border of the home.
_____    Plant flowers, depending on the season. Put a flowerpot by your front door.
_____    Paint and/or clean the front door.
_____    Make sure the garage door is greased and working properly.
_____    Make sure paths and patios are clean and in good repair.
_____    Freshen outside paint - sand and repaint and chipping or peeling areas.
_____    Clean and paint windows & sills. Replace any missing or torn screens.
_____    Make sure the house address numbers are easily visible.
_____    Replace stray or warped roofing shingles.
_____    Straighten sagging gutters.
_____    Repaint or replace your mailbox if it shows signs of wear.
_____    Polish and door brass. Make sure the doorbell works properly.
_____    Replace a worn doormat. 

INSIDE YOUR HOME: 

_____    Maintain a fresh environment. No pet or food odors. Use potpourri or air fresheners.
_____    Keep house clean and tidy. Put away any clutter.
_____    Put fresh towels in all the bathrooms.
_____    Clean walls, doors and woodwork - no fingerprints.
_____    Clean and organize counters. Remove unnecessary appliances and other objects.
_____    Clean all appliances, including inside,and have manuals/warranties on hand.
_____    Repaint or touch-up where necessary.  Few things, for such a small cost, can enhance a home.
_____    If you have any vivid or unusual colors on your walls, definitely repaint in neutral.
_____    Straighten closets.
_____    Make sure hinges and knobs are tightened and doors close properly.
_____    Fix any leaky faucets or running toilets.
_____    Consider hiring a professional cleaning service.
_____    Clean and spot-treat all carpeting.
_____    Polish wood floors and vinyl flooring.
_____    Clean and organize the garage.