Until now, CHALT has not formally taken a position on the redevelopment of 828 MLK, a known coal ash dump site. Here’s our take.
We are concerned that this is an environmental justice issue in the making.
Before the Town Council decided on March 23 to move forward with requesting state permission to build housing on the coal ash dump at 828 MLK under the State Brownfields program, several members of CHALT independently joined Friends of Bolin Creek’s call to oppose the housing portion of the concept plan. Friends of Bolin Creek first raised concerns about the coal ash on this site in 2013. Since then, the organization has continued to follow the issue with the support of the Southern Environmental Law Center. We support their recent letter presented the night Council decided to move ahead.
Here are some key points about why we believe the Town’s current path poses a serious threat to public health and safety.
There is a range of opinion on how to deal with this problem.
Many, though not all, residents feel comfortable with locating town offices on the site if proper precautions are taken. In any case, we believe that building housing poses an unacceptable risk. This assessment is supported by literature and the risk research of Hart and Hickman – which was not highlighted for Council members during their briefings in council meetings.
What happens next?
The final plan and permit will go through the Town’s process as any plan would. What we know so far for sure is:
- A council majority wants to move ahead to request approval for a concept plan that includes housing and will depend on the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to set standards that will protect safety and at the same time assume liability.
- The Town has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Belmont-Sayres, a developer specializing in polluted sites, to develop the plan and they are strongly advocating for the housing component.
What is not known is whether the State Brownfields Program will approve the housing and if they do so, what constraints they will place on the developer’s plan.
In sum:
State regulation prohibits owner-occupied housing on this site. Chapel Hill is in grave need of affordable housing and, if not for the coal ash, 828 MLK would be an excellent location to build housing. However, our position is that if it’s not good enough for families who own, we should not accept anything less for families who rent.
When any complex policy problem is debated by the Council and community members, the rhetoric can become heated. Our Council has the tough job of listening to all points to view and thoughtfully considering them. While there may be disagreement as to the correct solution to this situation, we are fortunate to live in a community that is so passionate about the wellbeing of others. The best decision will be made with openness to all voices and evidence.