Chatham County seeks applicants for several key advisory committees

Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County has several vacancies on its advisory committees. Service on committees is a great way for residents to have a voice on issues of interest and to make a difference in the community. Appointees for all committees must be residents of Chatham County. The deadline to submit applications to serve is Friday, April 23, 2021, at 5 p.m.

Some of the vacancies are assigned to specific areas of the county identified by county commissioner election districts. Residents may view a map of commissioner districts on the Chatham County website. Individuals may also look up their commissioner district for their address on the NC State Board of Elections website.

An online application to serve on the committees can be found here. Applicants also may contact Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners Lindsay Ray at lindsay.ray@chathamcountync.gov or 919-542-8302 to get a printed application.

NOTE: Most committees are currently meeting virtually but will resume in-person meetings when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on procedures and policies related to affordable housing. The committee has been focused on implementing the Affordable Rental Housing Strategy Toolbox and developing new strategies on affordable home ownership and transitional housing.

The committee meets the first Thursday of the month, usually at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center in Pittsboro (once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted).

The committee has one vacancy that will be appointed by the full Board of Commissioners. The person appointed will have an initial term ending June 30, 2022, and will be eligible to be reappointed to a full three-year term.

For additional information about the committee, contact Chatham County Policy Analyst Stephanie Watkins-Cruz at stephaniew.cruz@chathamcountync.gov.

APPEARANCE COMMISSION

The Chatham County Appearance Commission has a vacant seat and seeks applicants for the opening. It especially needs members with expertise in plant knowledge, landscaping and landscape design.

The Appearance Commission establishes and oversees programs to enhance the appearance of the county. The commission also reviews and comments on non-residential site plans for Business, Industrial, Conditional Zoning Districts and Conditional Use Permits. It typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. and will resume meeting in Pittsboro (when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted).

The person appointed by the Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancy would serve an initial term ending June 30, 2022, but would be eligible for reappointment for a full three-year term.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chatham County seeks to fill up to four vacancies on the Climate Change Advisory Committee. The committee makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners related to climate change impacts in Chatham County. The committee looks at concepts that: promote reduction of greenhouse gas (primarily CO2) emissions with related improvements in air quality; promote the use of renewable energy; promote electrification of transportation in the county; and promote regenerative and carbon sequestering agricultural and land use practices.  

The individuals appointed by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancies will serve staggered terms. Three terms will expire June 30, 2022, and one term will expire June 30, 2023. All individuals appointed would be eligible for reappointment to a three-year term.

The Board of Commissioners seeks applicants who support the mission of the committee and who have the time and resources available to devote to the work and research required. The committee typically meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Expertise in one of the following ever-evolving areas is desirable but not required: renewable energy systems; building efficiency and green building standards; transportation efficiency standards; clean fuel options; forestry and agricultural management practices; and skills in keeping up with the state of the art in the diverse sciences, technologies and practices required to combat climate change.

Applicants should indicate their interest and willingness to serve as an officer on the Climate Change Advisory Committee. Officers include the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary.

For more information about this committee see the committee’s county website page.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chatham County seeks applicants to fill two vacancies on its Environmental Review Advisory Committee (ERAC), which advises the Board of Commissioners on environmental policy and related county ordinances and serves as the Chatham County Watershed Review Board.

The Board of Commissioners especially seeks applicants with environmental expertise or interests.

One vacancy is for Commissioner District 2 with a term ending June 30, 2024. The second vacancy is for District 4 for a partial term ending June 30, 2022, but the person appointed would be eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term. Anyone interested in the position should apply regardless of where they live in the county.

The ERAC typically meets six or more times a year on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Pittsboro area (when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted). To find out more about the ERAC, visit: chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=379.

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Residents who are interested in transportation issues around Chatham County can learn about and help shape recommendations on transportation issues by serving on Chatham County’s Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC).

The committee identifies and studies transportation issues and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Members are appointed by the county commissioners.

The appointed person will serve a term ending June 30, 2024. The vacant seat will be appointed by the full Board of Commissioners. Interested residents from any part of the county may apply.

This advisory committee will meet only as needed to accomplish its purposes that include providing input into the development of the County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan every five to ten years as the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) requests; providing input into NCDOT’s transportation project prioritization process within the county; major transportation projects or related issues of concern as assigned by the Board of Commissioners, Planning Department or TAC Chairs.

To find out more about the committee, residents may visit chathamnc.org/Index.aspx?page=1323 or contact Chatham County Planner Chance Mullis at 919-545-8366.