TOWN OF CARY , NORTH CAROLINA

DEVELOPMENT PLAN REPORT

APPLICATION:  05-SP-002, Triangle Transit Authority Downtown Cary Station

Summary:  The plans propose a train platform along the north side of the existing railroad tracks.  The platform will be 350’ long and elevated approximately four feet above the tracks.  The platform will be covered with concrete pavers.  The canopy covering the platform will be 120’ long and consist of three hip-shaped roof forms clad with a standing seam metal roof of galvalume color.  The columns for the roof structure will be clad in brick.  The handrails, fencing, and guardrails will be coated in a black epoxy finish.

The parking lot will contain 175 parking spaces, with appropriate landscape buffering and a fence to the north.  A bus shelter would be installed on both North Academy Street and North Harrison Avenue to serve the train passengers.  In separate plan submittal, the Chamber of Commerce and Triangle Building Association (located north of the Chamber building) parking areas would be reconfigured and connected together.

LOCATION OF PROPERTY:  The site is located between North Harrison Avenue and North Academy Street, north of the northern most existing railroad tack and south and west of the Cary Chamber of Commerce Building. The plans propose a transit platform between two proposed TTA transit tracks, located north of the existing northern railroad track. The site contains 3.33 acres.

Vicinity Map

TOWN OF CARY
CASE MANAGER:  Bob Benfield
                             Senior Planner
                             Phone: 469-4045
                             E-mail: bob.benfield@townofcary.org

ZONING AND LAND USE PLAN COMPLIANCE:

Current Zoning: Overlay District:  Town Center

Sub District:  Office and Institutional (O&I)

Town Limits:  The property is inside Cary’s town limits. 

Land Use Compliance:   The Land Use Plan designates the parcels as Office and Institutional, permitting a public transportation facility.

MEETING SCHEDULE:

     TOWN CENTER REVIEW COMMISSION – October 27, 2005

Action:  Plan forwarded to Town Council for approval.

TOWN COUNCIL ACTION – November 10, 2005

Action:  The plan was tabled until the December 15, 2005 Town Council meeting in order to allow the plan to be
reviewed in conjunction with proposed modifications to the Chamber of Commerce building and site.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends approval of the plan.

PLANNING:  Staff Contact:  Bob Benfield, 469-4045, Email:  bob.benfield@townofcary.org

Landscaping:

The plan complies with all landscape requirements.  The plan provides the required landscaping surrounding and within the parking area, and in the area of the bus shelters.  The existing landscaping along North Academy Street will be retained.

Building Elevations:

Building Height:  18’4” above the platform.  The platform will be elevated 4’3” above the railroad tracks.

Building Size:  350’ long platform with 120’ long canopy, with a total area of 7,700 square feet

Building Materials and Colors:  Concrete pavers covering the walking surface, red-brown brick piers supporting the standing seam metal roof.  The roof will be galvalume, a galvanized metal color.  The guardrails, handrails, and fencing will be clad in a black epoxy finish

TRAFFIC:  Staff Contact:  Dick Moore, 462-3937, Email:  dick.moore@townofcary.org

A traffic impact study was prepared by Town of Cary traffic consultant, HTNB dated September 2004.  There are not additional improvements beyond those required by the Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

ROADWAY DESIGN:  Staff Contact:  Tammy Spivey, 462-3933, Email:  tammy.spivey @townofcary.org

The proposed N. Harrison Avenue widening and drive connection will require NCDOT approval.

UTILITIES:  Staff Contact:  Shuyan Tian, 469-4381, Email: shuyan.tian@townofcary.org

This development has access to Cary water and sewer services and would be required to comply with Town utility policies and standards. 

STORM WATER: Staff Contact:  Tom Horstman, 469-4347, Email:  tom.horstman@townofcary.org

The project will be required to comply with all Town of Cary storm water requirements.

PROPERTY OWNER NOTIFICATION:

Adjoining property owners were notified during staff's initial review of this plan.  Staff has received no inquiries objecting to the request regarding this proposed development

Reference Information: 

Development Plan Issues: 

The purpose of a rezoning is to evaluate the appropriateness of this land use for these parcels of land.  Specific development requirements related to the technical aspects of land development, such as access, storm water management, road improvements, utility line placement, road connectivity and landscape plantings, are not considered during the rezoning process.  However, all of these development issues must be addressed for compliance with existing requirements spelled out in the Land Development Ordinance (LDO) when the site or subdivision plan is submitted.  All such requirements can be found at http:vic.townofcary.org.