Boards And Committees

The Town of Elon has several volunteer Citizen Advisory Boards and Committees that perform the important function of advising the Town Council on a variety of matters such as zoning, public art, sustainability, and inclusivity. The board or committee members are volunteers appointed by the Town Council. Below are descriptions of the different boards, commissions, and committees. If you are interested in serving on a Board or Committee, please fill out and submit a volunteer application form. If you have questions, please email Kathleen Patterson, Town Clerk. If there are no current vacancies, applications will be held for one year. 

The Planning Board serves as the Board of Adjustment. The board is established as a “quasi-judicial” administrative Board that operates on a level between the enforcement officials of the Town and the courts. The purpose of the Board of Adjustment is to hear and decide appeals from and review any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official charged with enforcement of an ordinance adopted pursuant to the land use regulations adopted by the Town. In addition, under the provisions of the Town’s zoning regulations, the Board of Adjustment is responsible for the issuance of Special Use Permits.

The Planning Board is established to advise the Town Council on matters related to land use and community development. The Planning Board shall be governed by the terms of G.S. § 160D and by the terms of the Town of Elon Land Management Ordinance enacted December 2004 and any subsequent amendments thereto. All Board members shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with the provisions of these statutes and ordinances. Board members serve three year terms. 

The purpose of the committee is to support the Town Council by reviewing and evaluating the Town’s ordinances and policies for potential bias or differential effects. The Town seeks to better understand the adverse impact that these policies and ordinances have on the Town’s residents, businesses and the community as a whole.

The Elon Arts Advisory Board is tasked with selecting works of art and working in cooperation with other Town advisory boards to develop a public art program for the Town of Elon. The advisory board selects works of art to be approved by the Town Council before they are acquired or transferred, sold or deaccessioned. The advisory board advocates for public art in Elon, reviews, and assists with public art projects. The Arts Advisory Board works with town departments to create community art projects such as the annual Earth Day Art Contest.

Public Transit Advisory Commission
This commission is housed with the City of Burlington and advises the Burlington City Council and staff. The Public Transit Advisory Commission consists of nine members, five appointed by the Burlington City Council, one appointed by the Gibsonville Town Council, one appointed by the Alamance County Board of Commissioners, one appointed by the Town of Elon, and one from Alamance Community College. An alternate from each governing body will also be selected. All members of the Commission must reside within the jurisdiction of the participating governmental entity by which they were appointed. 

The advisory topics include: 

• • Routes, ridership, fares, customer service, general operating policy, short/long term goals;
  • Public participation, rider safety and convenience, service areas, route changes, coordinate with existing transit services and private partners to enhance service options;
  • Recommended service enhancements, annual budget review, branding & advertising campaigns, public education.

Appointees serve three year terms.