Chapel Hill, NC leaders see common issues, opportunities during Lawrence visit

Though Jayhawks and Tar Heels aren’t typically thought of as allies, the cities of Lawrence and Chapel Hill, N.C., are teaming up this week.

A group of 80 people, including Chapel Hill elected officials, business owners, nonprofit directors and university officials, arrived in Lawrence on Sunday for a three-day visit during which they hope to learn from local leaders.
And so far, Chapel Hill leaders are finding the cities share common challenges, including questions regarding growth, affordable housing and downtown vitality.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce Secretary Aaron Nelson said one of the common challenges that progressive university towns like Chapel Hill and Lawrence faced was resistance to growth and development. Nelson said residents and former university students tended to have a fixed idea of what their towns ought to be.