chatham county and cary kick off historic joint land use plan TODAY

CARY, NC – In an unprecedented effort to build regional cooperation in growth and development, the Town of Cary and Chatham County have joined together to develop the “Chatham-Cary Joint Land Use Plan” – a document that will establish the official long-range vision for 28.3 square miles generally located east of Jordan Lake, west of the Wake County Line, south of the Durham County Line, and north of White Oak Creek.  To kick off the groundbreaking partnership, citizens in the planning area have been invited to the project “kick-off” meeting at the North Chatham Elementary school , 3380 Lystra Road in Chapel Hill today from 5-8 p.m.

Arranged in an open house format, the kick off will give citizens the opportunity to interact with staff from both Chatham County and Cary’s Planning, Parks, Engineering and Public Works departments.  Citizens will learn about the nature of the project; proposed project schedule; avenues for continued citizen involvement in the planning process, and background information on existing conditions within the Plan study area, including local geography, natural features, existing zoning, existing and approved development, regional infrastructure, and existing land use plans.

“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Chatham County on this very important project and encourage every citizen to come out and be a part of this historic opportunity to proactively plan for the future,” said Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister.

“We’re so happy that we’re able to work with Cary on the Joint Land Use Plan, and we welcome this opportunity for citizens to provide input on the future of eastern Chatham County ,” said Chatham County Board of Commissioners’ Chair Bunkey Morgan. 

The open house is one of the first public steps in the development of the Plan, which was initiated last fall when the Cary and Chatham County elected boards adopted resolutions directing staff to work together on the project.  Once adopted, the Joint Plan will establish a common official vision for the study area for both jurisdictions, including future land uses, transportation, parks, open space, and the environment.

The Community Open House is the first of several steps the bodies are taking to create and implement the Plan.  Additional open houses will be held to present and receive comments on developing drafts of the Plan.

For more, visit the Chatham County Planning Department Web site, email joint.plan@ncmail.net or call the Chatham County Planning Department at (919) 542-8204 or Cary Planning Department at (919) 469-4082.

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