Friday, September 19, 2008

Vote Early in Morrisville

Why wait for Election Day? Visit the Cedar Folk Community Center at 1050B Town Hall Drive and cast your ballot for the 2008 General Election. There are day, evening and weekend voting hours. If you moved, you can update your address before you vote. Not registered? Qualified voters can register and vote at the same time.

Dates & times: Vote early! Learn more at WakeVotesEarly.com!
Thurs to Sat, Oct 23-25 - 10am-7pm
Sunday, Oct 26 - 1-5pm
Mon to Fri, Oct 27-31 - 10am-7pm
Saturday, Nov 1 - 10am-1pm

Friday, September 12, 2008

P&Z Seeks Kit Creek Alternatives ; Delays Land & Transportation Plan Decision

Updated 9/15/08
At its meeting on Thursday, September 11, the Planning & Zoning Board recommended that the Town Council authorize a study of alternatives to the proposed Kit Creek Reconnection. Working with the NC Transit Authority, the P&Z Board proposed that Town staff investigate other possible connections to the planned Triangle Expressway. Also sought was the scheduling of a second community “open house” on the establishment a road connection between Church St. and Davis Dr. Emphasis was placed on the need to assure that residents of the Kit Creek community and surrounding areas be notified of this additional public meeting. Because of the current NC Transit Authority scheduling for the Triangle Expressway, P&Z recognized that a limited time frame was available to pursue its recommendations.

At this P&Z Board meeting, consultants from the Louis Berger Group presented its recently completed study on the proposed Kit Creek Reconnection. During the public hearing, residents claimed inadequate advance notice for the “open house” and presentation of the Consultant’s study. The Board agreed with the citizens’ concern that the projected additional “pass through” traffic on Kit Creek Road was undesirable. However, the consensus of P&Z was that a westerly outlet from the neighborhood was still needed. But if it is not the proposed Kit Creek Reconnection, where is the most appropriate location for it? That is the question that the Board seeks an answer.

Click here to view the Louis Berger Group “Kit Creek Reconnection” study.

Also, on the agenda of the P&Z Board meeting was consideration of the proposed Land Use and Transportation Plans (LUTP). The Board members continued its discussion on the Plans from its Work Session on 9/2 with Town staff and the Consultant, Louis Berger Group. Although no recommendation on the LUTP was made, P&Z will continue its consideration of the Plans at its next scheduled meeting on October 9.

Among the numerous LUTP proposals that are of serious concern to citizens are the designation of expanded Regional Activity Centers surrounding the proposed Park West commercial development, inclusion of the Crabtree Creek Crossing connection, and perceived minimal emphasis on enhancing Morrisville as an desirable residential community.

To view the proposed Land Use & Transportation Plans, click on “LUTP”.
Revised Meeting Schedule. All at Town Hall.
10/9/08 P&Z Board – 3rd Briefing & Possible Recommendation (6 pm)
11/12/08 Town Council – Open House (5:30 pm) & 1st Briefing (6:30 pm)
11/20/08 Town Council – Public Hearing (6:30 pm)
12/9/08 Town Council – 2nd Briefing (6:30 pm)
12/17/08 Town Council – Possible Decision (6:30 pm)

Please email your opinions to:

PlanningBoard@ci.morrisville.nc.us

TownCouncil@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Friday, September 5, 2008

New Land Use & Transportation Plan NOT What Citizens Asked For

Updated 9/15/08
Why can't our Town seek a Land Use & Transportation Plan (LUTP) that actually reflects what its citizens want? Apparently the belief is that the "experts" know better. Then why go through the charade, time and considerable expense of representing a document as the "voice of the people?" The Plan's Public Workshops and Focus Groups provided considerable opportunity for citizens to communicate. And they did -- in large numbers. The Plan's Advisory Committee was a cross-section of the community and proved to be most knowledgeable on the subject. However, does the LUTP truly reflect what citizens said? Is the consensus of the Committee members reflected in the Plan? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions raise considerable concern.

Public consensus was for the Land Use Plan to concentrate on enhancing Morrisville as an attractive residential community. The Town’s citizens clearly stated: “No more large development” and “Slow down growth!” However, the Plan reclassifies a significant amount of land parcels for commercial and dense residential development in expanded “Regional Activity Centers.”

Citizens had overwhelming identified NC 54 as THE major issue for the Town. However, the desirability of what is proposed for NC 54 was never presented to the public for consideration or discussed by the Advisory Committee. In addition, the Transportation Plan proposes road extensions that were overwhelmingly opposed by Morrisville’s citizens.

The Land Use & Transportation Plan will impact how you live, work, shop, and travel for the next 35 years. There is still time for the Morrisville’s Planning & Zoning Board as well as Town Council to make certain that the LUTP is what citizens asked for!

REVISED Meeting Schedule -- all at Town Hall.

10/9/08 P&Z Board – 3rd Briefing and Possible Recommendation

11/12/08 Town Council – 1st Briefing & Open House

11/20/08 Town Council – Public Hearing

12/9/08 Town Council – 2nd Briefing

12/17/08 Town Council – Possible Decision

For information on reviewing the proposals, please click on the following link: 2008 Land Use & Transportation Plans.

Let your voice be heard at the Town Council Public Hearing on Thursday, November 20. Citizens are also encouraged to send email to the members of the two Town Boards at:

PlanningBoard@ci.morrisville.nc.us

TownCouncil@ci.morrisville.nc.us