Rogers Road Task Force Approved to Soldier On

After a lengthy discussion at the January 24 county commissioners' meeting, a couple of decisions were made regarding the continued meeting of the Historic Rogers Road Task Force.

First, by unanimous vote, the commissioners approved moving forward with completing plans to fund and build a community center for the Rogers Road community. There was less agreement about the charge of the task force. Commissioner Mark Dorosin wanted to have the task force consider the potential for gentrification in the community once the sewer was extended to all eligible homes. Commissioner Earl Mckee disagreed, stating that homeowners should be able to decide for themselves the highest and best use of their property. There were a variety of motions, friendly and unfriendly amendments made, votes taken, and wordsmithing done until, ultimately, a motion was made to charge the task force to continue their work on extending sewer service, completing the community center, addressing gentrification, and use of the Greene Tract as a funding option. This motion was passed five to two (Commissioners Penny Rich and Bernadette Pelissier voted against).

Earlier this week, the county commissioners filled their two seats on the task force (vacated by Valerie Foushee and Pam Hemminger) with Commissioner Rich, who had previously held one of the two Chapel Hill Town Council seats, and Commissioner Price.

The Chapel Hill Town Council still needs to fill their seat on the task force vacated by Rich. No decision has been made public about when that might happen.