What a busy but great week!
Monday began with a meeting with our Town Manager, Ben Shivar. We discussed a number of topics including a recently discovered leak at major water supply line near Highway 55 and Jenks Road. Crews have taken this supply line out of service and are re-routing water through another line while repairs are made. You can read the full press release from the town here. Repairs should be complete mid-October.
Afterwards I attended Cary’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory board meeting. We heard a wonderful presentation from the folks out at the Western Wake Farmer’s Market in Cary about their desire to locate in the future A. M. Howard Agricultural Park. I really like the concept and this is a good time to be having this discussion since we are currently updating the town’s master plan.
The WWFM not only provides citizens access to quality, locally grown produce – they also conduct a wide array of demonstrations to better educate folks about healthier living. Unfortunately the market loses their lease at their current location next year, so I hope we can work something out sooner than later.
Council held a worksession on Tuesday evening to discuss whether or not to begin charging multifamily development (apartments and condos) impact fees to pay for parks like we do for single family development.
This is an equity issue. You can’t charge one group of residents without charging the other.
The council unanimously voted to begin charging multi-family development the fees.
Wednesday was the Cary Community Candidates Forum taping at town hall. This was a lot of fun. The District B tapings (my race) was first and I stayed to watch the other three. You can catch all of the forums on Cary TV Channel 11 every day from now until the election, or you can watch them online here. I encourage everyone to watch and judge for yourselves who is best prepared to lead Cary forward for the next four years. I already know who I’m voting for. ;-)
Cary’s Planning and Development Committee meeting was relatively light with only two agenda items; amending the Town’s sign ordinance to further prohibit the placement of signs in the town right of way, and consideration of whether or not to waive the one year waiting period for a rezoning near the Waycroft subdivision in North West Cary.
Cary already prohibits the placement of signage in right-of-ways on roads located in and maintained by the town. The state however passed legislation a couple of months ago allowing political signage on state right-of-ways. In Cary that would be roads like Highways 54 and 55, and portions of Kildaire Farm and Maynard Road. This ordinance amendment clarifies that Cary is still allowed enforce its regulations on roads in and maintained by Cary. It passed unanimously.
After hearing from a number of concerned citizens in the Waycroft subdivision regarding the proposed Carpenter rezoning, we unanimously recommended denial of the applicants request for waiver and encouraged them to continue to work to better address resident’s concerns, and come back when more progress had been made.
Friday I had the privilege of participating in the Cary High School Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. This is always so much fun and I enjoy watching the emotions of the award recipients and their families – and listening to all their stories. One of this year’s inductees, Gary Nobles called it “one of the five greatest days of his life.” I believe it. Cary High School is such a big part of so many people’s lives and for many, a second family. Once an IMP, always an IMP. Congratulations to all the inductees for your recognition and for your accomplishments both on and off the field.
The only thing that could have made the day any better was a win over the Bengals. Unfortunately Cary lost 19-8.
That's about it for now. As always, thanks for reading!
