The Elon Town Council voted on a request for an accessory dwelling unit and reviewed a potential traffic calming policy during their meeting May 27. The council also reviewed a potential purchasing plan for replacing fire engines used by the town of Elon Fire Department and resolved to support the Eno-Haw Mitigation Plan. 

Foster Drive accessory dwelling unit

After holding a quasi-judicial public hearing at the previous town council meeting on a special use permit, which authorizes land uses allowed by the land ordinance within a zoning district, for an accessory dwelling unit that would be built behind 212 Foster Drive, the council voted to deny the special use permit. 212 Foster Drive is located in the neighborhood surrounding Elon University’s south campus, and the proposal was made by Erzine Brothers LLC, who own the current property. The unit would be located above a garage and is proposed to be 768 square feet. According to town manager Rich Roedner, Elon University students are currently living on the property. 

When deciding whether to approve a special use permit, the council has to determine if the request meets six different criteria. This includes if the proposed use will endanger the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare if located where proposed;, if it complies with the Town of Elon’s Land Management Ordinance;, will not substantially injure the value or impede the development and improvement of surrounding property;, will be in harmony with the area in which it is to be located and will not injure the use and enjoyment of property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted;, is in general conformity with the Town’s adopted policy guidance;, and can be adequately served by public facilities. The application is approved through a series of six different motions that must all be approved unanimously by the council.

Mayor Emily Sharpe expressed concern over the special use permit and how it would affect citizens who live in the surrounding area. 

“We're in a college town, so we're definitely dealing with a different kind of usage of this accessible unit,” Sharpe said during the meeting. “I'm wondering what that would do for a buddy, neighbor or a person that would be right behind, how that would really affect their price of their land and the enjoyment of their land.”

Citizens from the town of Elon also expressed their concerns regarding the accessory dwelling unit. Elon citizen Jim Beasely said he was concerned about cars parking in that area if more people live at 212 Foster Drive with the addition of the accessory dwelling unit. 

“On most nights, there's at least 10 cars parked in the driveway at one residence,” Beasely said. “If you put an accessory dwelling unit in the back and you'll have anywhere from at least three more to probably six more vehicles in each one of those parking lot driveways.”

The special use permit for the unit only passed four of the six motions with a majority of the council voting against the third criteria, which states that the special use will not injure the value or impede the development and improvement of surrounding property. Council member Randy Orwig was the sole vote, saying the accessory dwelling unit complied with the third criteria. 

The entire council voted against the fourth criteria, saying that the accessory dwelling unit will not be in harmony with the area in which it is located and will injure the use and enjoyment of property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes already permitted.  

Since the permit did not meet all six criteria, the permit was denied. 

Traffic calming policy

Town of Elon Planning Director Lori Oakley presented a potential traffic calming policy to the Council. According to Oakley, the policy was modeled after the city of Mebane’s and is meant to reduce speed and traffic volume through measures that can be approved by the council. 

The Council took no action on the plan. Oakley said to the Council that she would adjust parts of the plan after hearing its concerns about giving concerned citizens false hope. 

Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

The council unanimously approved the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan has to be reviewed for Elon to remain eligible for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The plan establishes sustained action that the town will take to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property in the event of a hazard which includes educating citizens on what to do in the event of a hazard, insuring the town in the event of a hazard and coordinating with state and federal level departments on hazard prevention.

The approval of this plan comes after the Trump administration denied Governor Josh Stein's request for an extension of FEMA’s 100% cost reimbursement of debris removal after Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. 

Fire engine replacement discussion

Town of Elon Fire Chief Landon Massey presented the council with a potential plan for replacing fire engines used by the town. The fire department is looking to replace engines 81 and 89. 

Massey presented a potential five year schedule where two new fire engines would be purchased this year and be delivered in 2028, another new engine would be ordered in 2031 and be delivered in 2034, and another new engine would be ordered in 2036 and be delivered in 2039. 

The council decided to table this matter for the next meeting on June 10.

Animal service from the city of Burlington

The Town Council voted unanimously to extend its animal services contract with the city of Burlington by 18 months. 

The city of Burlington will continue operating the Animal Services Center and provide sheltering services for animals found in Elon. 

Closed Session

The council held its sixth closed session regarding the purchase of 112 Orange Drive.This is the location of Labcorp, a testing facility which provides laboratory services used for diagnoses and healthcare decisions. According to Mayor Pro Tem Monti Allison, the purpose of the acquisition would be to relocate the town hall and the Elon police department and accommodate additional space needs for public meetings and departmental training.

Next Town Council meeting

The next Town Council meeting will be held June 10. During this meeting, the Council will vote on the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.