The Shortbread Lofts are moving forward

The Town Council unanimously approved the Shortbread Lofts, a 7-story, apartment complex on West Rosemary Street Monday night, saying it will bring more people downtown and offer more rental opportunities for residents.  Shortbread Lofts will include 85 apartments, 121 parking spaces and a first floor of retail.

Mayor Pro Tem Ed Harrison said the Shortbread Lofts supplements new downtown buildings.
"I think all those add up in making this a 52 week 24-hour downtown. That's what I like the most about this project," he said.

Council member Penny Rich applauded the modern design.

About 20 people spoke about the project Monday, most were supportive, and said it would add needed housing for students and relieve pressure from the neighborhood's surrounding downtown.
"I think this is a step in the right direction," said Paul Snow, a Chapel Hill resident who plans to move downtown.  "We really need downtown density and also dense housing projects that are walkable and bikeable to the university."

Jim Norton, director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, supported the project and said the project conforms to all the town requirements.
"We believe the Shortbread Lofts is exactly the type of project downtown needs," he said. "It enhances our residential base."

Construction on the project is scheduled to start in June.

Read more about the council's discussion on the project in N&O at:
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/orangechat/chapel-hill-town-council-approves-shortbread-lofts

Read more here: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/orangechat/chapel-hill-town-council-approves-shortbread-lofts#storylink=cpy