CARY, NC – The Town of Cary will kick off its planning effort for the northwest corner of the community and surrounding areas today during a community open house at which everyone is invited to drop in anytime 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Page Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary Town Hall Campus. The open house is part of the Town’s comprehensive effort to develop its first Northwest Cary Area Plan, a master plan for over 8,000 acres in the northwestern portion of Cary’s planning area--that part of Wake and Chatham Counties west of NC 55 within roughly 3 miles of RTP, plus Cary’s Planning Jurisdiction east of NC 55 and north of Morrisville-Carpenter Road, and the Historic Carpenter District.

The planning effort involves all types of land use matters, from what types of roads are needed and where they should go to what role parks, greenways, and even commercial development should play in the area in the future.

During the open house, citizens will be able to look at maps and exhibits depicting conditions within the study area, and speak with Town staff and consultants about the project. Attendees will also be able to complete a survey about the issues facing this growing part of Cary, including questions about the types of development or land uses they might prefer for the future, as well as transportation, parks, open space, and other issues. Attendees will also learn about the project, the project schedule, the avenues for citizen involvement, and the steps in the plan development process.

"We’re really hoping that a lot of people will show up to share their ideas with us," said Scott Ramage, Senior Planner and director of this long-range planning project for the Town. "We’re looking for their vision for the future, their preferences, wants, desires, and concerns. Their input will be used as consultants and staff begin work on actually developing a draft plan."

The consultants and staff will use the public input offered at the open house, coupled with Town Council input and input from major landowners, to help guide the development of a draft proposal for the Northwest Cary Area Plan. Then, a second community open house will be held in late April 2002 where citizens will be able to view the draft proposal and offer comments and suggestions on the draft proposal. A specific date, time, and location for the April meeting is not yet available. After the second open house in late April, the consultants will revise the draft plan as necessary, and prepare a proposed plan for submission to Town Council for an official public hearing in late June.

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