Nice : déjà plus de 3 000 participants revendiqués à la votation sur le tram' | Nice-Matin

I wonder how the Obey Creek matter could be put to some sort of popular vote. It could be as simple as asking  registered Chapel Hill voters - perhaps restricted and enlarged to include the area within a two mile radius of the site - whether they think there should be a change in well-explained present rules for the land or whether a clear statement of what the developer wants should be allowed. Why shouldn't there be some sort of referendum to allow people most affected to voice their opinions, non-binding for the Town Council, but highly relevant? If this could not be done for a variety of reasons, could it be done online privately but with significant, verifiable methodology? In the linked case, this latter - more or less - is the way Nice is tackling the question of how an extension of the city's tram system should be routed.