UNC-CH to lease site for Carrboro firehouse

A new fire station to serve soon-to-be-annexed areas of Carrboro likely has a home, thanks to UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved plans to lease a 1.68-acre parcel at 1411 Homestead Road to the town for 99 years, at $1 per year. Carrboro officials could not be reached for comment on whether they will approve the deal.

But the plan would end something of a saga for town leaders and staff. Carrboro has been searching for seven years for an appropriate site in its northern area for a fire substation.

The lack of one was a major point of contention for residents who opposed annexation.

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen voted 5-2 in January to annex a block of territory encompassing six subdivisions northeast of town.

Some residents argued that Carrboro couldn't annex the area, which includes the Lake Hogan Farms and Winmore neighborhoods, without meeting its state-mandated obligation to provide adequate fire protection.

The annexation takes effect Jan. 31, though residents won't begin paying Carrboro taxes until the new fiscal year begins in July.

Carrboro Fire Chief Rodney Murray said the new station could be built by late 2006 or early 2007.

Laura Van Sant, who lives in the annexed area, applauded the move.

"As a future taxpayer of Carrboro, I'm glad they're getting a sweetheart deal," she said.