Town Center Review Commission

Mission Statement
The Town Center Review Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the Town Council for the review of subdivision plans, site plans, and variances within the Town Center Zoning District and exercise its authority as set forth in the Town of Cary Land Development Ordinance.

Life Span Statement

The Town Center Review Commission is a standing board that meets only as needed, based on development plans in the downtown area. Board members will reexamine their purpose every three years beginning in 2013.

Powers and Duties
The Town Center Review Commission reviews subdivision plans, site plans, and variances for the town center area. Members are required to attend monthly meetings.

Specifically, the commission also performs the following duties according to the Land Development Ordinance:

Review proposed plans for development approval within the boundaries of the Town Center District
Review proposed public enhancement projects such as public art or streetscapes in the town center
Administer downtown design guidelines
Make recommendations on requests for variances from the downtown sign regulations of Section 9.6
Exercise any additional powers and duties as may be set forth for the Town Center Review Commission elsewhere in ordinances

Membership
The Town Center Review Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Town Council, with the following representation: at least two members with expertise in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, engineering, planning, art, or a similar field; one member who is a downtown business owner; one member who lives in the area covered by the Town Center Plan; one member who is on the Planning and Zoning Board; and, two at-large members (may include additional members from the above listing). All appointments to the commission are for three-year terms, except where unexpired terms are being filled. All members must reside in the town limits of Cary.

Goals/Work Plan
The TCRC shall evaluate all new site and/or subdivision plan proposals within the Town Center district and shall make recommendations thereon to the Town Council. Based upon the approval criteria in, the LDO and the requirements of the TC District, the TCRC shall formulate a recommendation to the Town Council for appropriate action on the plan proposals. The Commission may request the applicant to revise a site and/or subdivision plan before it is submitted to the Town Council for approval. The TCRC may recommend denial of a site or a subdivision plan if it determines that the plan does not meet the purposes or objectives of the Town Center district, the policy direction established in the Town Center Area Plan, the standards for design expressed in the Downtown Design Guidelines, or it does not contain adequate measures to protect other properties from adverse effects that might result from the proposed development or redevelopment.

All recommendations associated with subdivision plans, with site plans, or with variance requests shall be forwarded to the Town Council, or to the Board of Adjustment if a variance request, on a form and in accordance with a schedule prepared by the Planning Department.

Work Plan Based upon the approval criteria in the LDO and upon the requirements of the TC District, the TCRC shall:

· Shall review proposed development plans submitted for approval within the boundaries of the Town Center District;

· Shall review proposed public enhancement projects, such as public art or streetscapes in the Town Center;

· Shall review proposed development plans for compliance with the Downtown Design Guidelines; and

· Shall make a recommendation on variance requests from the downtown sign regulations of the LDO.

Evaluation Criteria: The board will periodically review and evaluate effectiveness of their work plan, modifying as needed to meet goals.

Meetings
The board meets on an as needed basis. During months where meetings are required, they are approximately two hours in length, and require approximately an hour or more to study materials prior to the meetings. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public and will adhere to the Open Meetings Law and Public Records Law. Public notices will be prepared prior to any meeting of this commission. More information on this commission can be found in its annual report or in the TCRC rules of order.

Please see the Town of Cary Calendar to confirm meeting dates, times, and locations.

Questions regarding the Town Center Review Commission should be directed to Bob Benfield or Tara Adams of the Town of Cary Planning Department by e-mailing bob.benfield@townofcary.org or tara.adams@townofcary.org or by calling (919) 469-4082.

How do I Apply?
Applications are accepted each year from May 1 through June 30 for upcoming vacancies. Applicants applying for this board are required to complete a supplemental application. Current Town of Cary employees are not eligible to volunteer. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Town Clerk's Office by e-mailing karen.gray@townofcary.org or by calling (919) 319-4508.

Current membership roster

Current Agenda

Minutes

Meeting (see the Town's Web calendar for a current list of meetings and notices)

Town Center Review Cases
2012 Cases
2011 Cases
2010 Cases
2009 Cases
2008 Cases
2007 Cases
2006 Cases
2005 Cases
2004 Cases