Council Kit Creek Road Approval; P&Z Land & Transportation Plan Discussion Continued in November

Updated 10/28/08
At its meeting on October 9, the Planning & Zoning Board (P&Z) voted to recommend that the Town staff continue its deliberations with North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to seek an acceptable Davis Drive Connection for the Kit Creek Community. Preferred was an alternative that will have minimal effect on existing homes as well as require considerable traffic calming measures and vehicle restrictions on Kit Creek Road. Included in the recommendation was support for pedestrian sidewalks and bike use.

The Town Council endorsed this recommendation at its business meeting on Tuesday, October 28.

For more information click on Kit Creek Reconnection.

During the October 9th meeting, P&Z also continued its consideration of the proposed Land Use & Transportation Plans (LUTP) for Morrisville. However, a recommendation to the Town Council was not made. The P&Z Board will continue discussion of the LUTP at its November 13th meeting.

At this point, the consensus of P&Z was to endorse the high priority placed on the improvement and widening of Route 54. The Board also favored including the Crabtree Crossing Parkway connection in the LUTP for future consideration. In addition, support was expressed for the proposed designation of additional Regional Activity Centers (RAC) around the planned Park West Village. Consideration was also given to changing a number of the Plan’s land use designations to low-density residential.

For additional details click on LUTP.

Kit Creek Road Reconnection

The Town of Morrisville has announced that it has new information regarding the reconnection of Kit Creek Road as a part of the N.C. Turnpike Authority's Triangle Parkway project. The Town is providing additional opportunities for public input. At the request of the Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) and the Town Council (TC), consultants studied and analyzed multiple options for the reconnection. Two Open Houses will be hosted to share the findings and answer questions. All meetings will be at Town Hall Council Chambers, 100 Town Hall Drive.

First Open House
Thursday, October 9th from 5-6pm, prior to PZB meeting

Study results will be posted and Town staff and consultants will be on hand to answer any questions.

Second Open House

Tuesday, October 14th from 5:30-6:30pm, prior to TC meeting

Public Hearing & Town Council Briefing

Tuesday, October 14th at regular TC meeting; begins @ 6:30pm

Town Council Possible Decision

Tuesday, October 28th; meeting begins @ 6:30pm

For more information click on Kit Creek Reconnection. Contact Ashley Jones of the Morrisville Planning Department at 919.463.6927 or ajones@ci.morrisville.nc.us.

Slowing Economy Hits Our Area

The Cary News reports that development of both Park West Village in Morrisville and Waverly Place in Cary will be delayed.

Located at the intersection of Route 54 and Cary Parkway, construction of Park West has been pushed back to possibly early next year. The 95-acre shopping, office, apartment and hotel complex had been scheduled to commence building during this current Fall season. The developer informed the Cary News that the center has had to work harder to sign tenants. Since fashion retailers have been especially hard hit by the economy, different types of tenants have been sought. However, in a press release, the developer revealed that five of the seven anchor stores are set.

Among the tenants signed are “Buy Buy Baby”, a store that specializes in nursery and children’s furniture, toys and clothing. “Stone Theatres” will be opening a 14-screen movie cinema. “Urban Active Fitness” plans a fitness club at Park West Village. The developer also reported that it has also signed a deal with an operator for a 120-room business hotel (its identity was not revealed). The developer believes that Park West will be completed in early 2010.

The Cary News also reported that redevelopment of the Waverly Place Shopping Center (Tyron & Kildare Farm Roads in Cary) has been stalled because of the developer’s difficulty in obtaining financing. In addition to “Whole Foods,” which continues to operate as a tenant in the center, plans include over 200,000 square feet of other retail outlets, a 120-room hotel and 200 homes according to the newspaper. The center’s recent purchase by a California company is hoped to help bring the project back on track.

Although considerable concern about the large size of Park West Village was voiced by citizens, the Morrisville Town Council approved the required rezoning and development plans for it this past January.