By Gregory Childress
gchildress@heraldsun.com; 419-6645
Chapel Hill -- The town will hold four public hearings Monday, including one to give citizens a chance to tell local leaders how they would use an ultra-high speed Internet network if Google chooses Chapel Hill for its fiber optic trial.
Comments made during the public hearing about the Google trial will be submitted as part of the town's application for the Google trial that is due March 26.
Officials say it is important that citizens turn out to show their enthusiasm for the town becoming the host community for the trial because it will enhance Chapel Hill's chance of being selected.
The town, Carrboro and UNC Chapel Hill have joined in an effort to convince Google that Chapel Hill is the best town to host the Internet and technology giant's fiber optic trial.
Google announced the initiative last month to install and test fiber optic networks that will deliver Internet services at a speed of 1 gigabit per second. That's more than 100 times faster than speeds available to most U.S. citizens today.
Communities selected for the trial will help Google demonstrate the new capabilities made possible by faster and better broadband access.
In return, Google will pay for construction and operation of the networks. Customers will be charged what officials say are competitive rates for the service.
Residents, businesses, community and university groups are encouraged to provide input through an online survey, by joining the Bring Google Fiber to Chapel Hill & Carrboro NC Facebook group and may also provide input directly to Google.
For more information about local efforts, contact google@townofchapelhill.org
n Also Monday, the Town Council will hold a public hearing to consider an application for a special use permit submitted by Scott Murray Land Planning, Inc.
The proposal involves a site of slightly more than an acre in the Meadowmont development on the north side of Highway 54 East.
The developer wants to build 15 multi-family units totaling 66,000 square feet. The units would be constructed on four lots with 34 parking spaces at 201 Meadowmont Lane, adjacent to the Meadowmont Wellness Center.
The site is located in the Residential-5-Conditional (R-5-C) zoning district.
n The council also will consider a concept plan application from UNC to expand the Kenan-Flagler School of Business' Paul J. Rizzo Conference Center.
The proposal includes 90,000 square feet of floor area with 80 additional guest rooms, three classrooms, and an additional dining area. Parking for 168 cars is also proposed.
The site is located in the Residential-1 (R-1) zoning district, the Watershed Protection District and is adjacent to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Game Land on the east and the existing Paul J. Rizzo Conference Center on the west.
n Citizens also will have a chance to speak out on a proposed Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance that would require developers of residential developments of five or more units to offer 15 percent of the units at prices affordable to low- and moderate-income households.
