snapshot report

Transcription

snapshot report

Car
yCommuni
t
yPl
an
SNAPSHOT
REPORT
June2013
Snapshot Report
TOWN OF CARY COMMUNITY PLAN
June 2013
Table of Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
About this Project .................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
About this Report ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Purpose.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Organization ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
About the Town of Cary .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Regional Context ................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Local Context........................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Community Life ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
People ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Fiscal and Economic Health .................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Homes & Neighborhoods..................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Cultural Arts & Preservation ................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Recreation & Community Facilities ................................................................................................................................................... 20
Education ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Public Safety ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Health ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Natural Environment & Utilities ...................................................................................................................................................... 28
Open Space, Parks, and Greenways .................................................................................................................................................. 28
Water ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30
Waste ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 33
Air .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Energy....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Built Environment & Mobility........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Development .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
Transportation ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
Appendix of Maps.............................................................................................................................................................................. 47
Introduction
1
Introduction
About this Project
The Town of Cary has for decades been one of the premier communities in
North Carolina and the Southeast. Every year it receives accolades and is
recognized as one of the best places to live in the country. Cary has been
evolving, and in many ways has become a world-class community, keeping
pace with local, regional, and global changes. The fabric of the community
is constructed around the themes of growth, excellence, and innovation,
while continuing to value and protect the qualities that make this place
unique.
What should
Cary be in 2040?
Cary today is remarkable, but what will the Cary of tomorrow look like?
In order to answer that critical question, it is important to have a clear and
comprehensive vision for the future, and a clear policy framework to guide
decisions to achieve that future. That’s what this project is about - - creating
a Cary Community Plan to serve as a blueprint for purposefully attaining the
future that Cary wants to achieve.
The Cary Land Use Plan that guides decision-making for land development
in Cary was adopted in 1996. It has served the Town well, as the quality of
the community attests. But over time, in response to changing conditions
and new circumstances, the 1996 Plan has gone through multiple
amendments. Between 1998 and 2012, the Town developed and adopted
seven additional plans (see lower right sidebar). Together these eight
individual plans currently serve as Cary’s comprehensive plan, which now
stands as a collection of loosely connected individual component parts.
It has become clear that the compelling need now is to undertake a
comprehensive update to the entire Comprehensive Plan and all its
component parts. The community has a choice to make – what should Cary
be in 2040? And the Imagine Cary planning process is focused on answering
that question with stakeholders who have an interest in the Town’s future.
Drawing upon community ideas and input, and a considerable body of
information about growth and demographic trends, this process will result
in a new integrated and visionary plan. The Imagine Cary planning process
charts out a course for developing a community-wide vision, acknowledging
and addressing policy trade-offs related to that vision, and developing new
growth and policy frameworks to implement the new vision. That’s what
this project is about - - creating a new comprehensive plan for Cary. The
Cary Community Plan will set out a comprehensive vision and policy
framework to address a number of critical community planning issues: land
use and development, transportation, housing and neighborhoods,
community health, parks and recreation, utilities, the natural environment,
and cultural and historic resources.
CARY’S EXISTING
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
ELEMENTS
1. Vision Element
2. Town-Wide Land Use Plan, including
eight Special Area Plans
3. Parks and Recreation Master Plan
4. Growth Management Plan
5. Affordable Housing Plan
6. Comprehensive Transportation Plan
7. Open Space Plan
8. Historic Preservation Master Plan
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About this Report
PURPOSE
Part of the initial work to craft the Cary Community Plan is development of
this report that includes key information about demographics,
development, public services and facilities, community programs, health,
arts and culture, and other comprehensive planning topics.
The purpose of this report is to provide a strategic “snapshot” of information
that is critical for the community to have as a base understanding as we
move through this planning process. This report will help citizens and
business representatives understand the existing conditions and trends, and
the future challenges/opportunities that will be critical for informing the
long-range planning discussion for the Town. It focuses on two overarching
questions:
What are the major regional and national trends that Cary will need to
address over the long-term? How well positioned is Cary to address
these trends?
What are the key local planning issues that could have significant
impacts on Cary’s future?
This report is not meant to be an exhaustive study of all the issues that might
be associated with these topic areas. It is also not intended to provide an
exhaustive analysis of the information presented. Rather, the purpose is to
present a brief “snapshot” of select information for each topic. The report is
not only intended to help inform community discussion, but also to spark
discussion and further investigation, as together we explore these topics
during the course of Imagine Cary.
ORGANIZATION
This report is purposefully concise to highlight critical information that “tells
the story” of Cary today in an easily readable format. It is organized into the
following sections:
ABOUT THE TOWN OF CARY
Regional Context
Local Context
SNAPSHOT TOPICS: 3 MAIN CATEGORIES
Community Life (People, Economic & Fiscal Health, Homes &
Neighborhoods, Cultural Arts & Preservation, Recreation & Community
Facilities, Education, Public Safety, Health)
Natural Environment and Utilities (Open Space, Parks, & Greenways,
Water, Waste, Air, Energy)
Built Environment and Mobility (Development and Transportation)
Introduction
About the Town of Cary
REGIONAL CONTEXT
For over a hundred years, the small Town of Cary, North Carolina, was a rural
crossroads community. With a rich heritage of farming as its economic base,
generations of Cary residents called this place home.
The paradigm shift for Cary started with the creation of the Research
Triangle Park (RTP) in 1959. North Carolina’s visionary leaders created a
new future for North Carolina that would draw upon the strengths and
synergies between North Carolina’s academic, government, and industry
bases. RTP would grow and thrive, attracting research-oriented companies
that could employ the highly-educated local work force while being engaged
with research being conducted by the Triangle’s premier universities. Cary’s
proximity to RTP, along with development of a series of highly attractive
residential communities to provide quality living environments for
employees of the new companies, resulted in Cary’s population growing
from about 3,000 in 1960 to 135,000 fifty years later in 2010.
Cary began as a small, rural
crossroads community.
Accordingly, a fundamental understanding of Cary’s regional context and
history is critical to discerning the probable impact of current conditions and
trends on the future of Cary. The proximity of the Research Triangle Park is
still dominant, but the nature of RTP itself is changing; RTP recently adopted
a new master plan in 2012. Cary’s geography for much of its 50-year growth
seemed virtually limitless, and the Town rapidly expanded its
footprint as the population grew. But now the boundaries to
Cary’s outward growth are set. Cary’s outward growth is
constrained by the corporate limits of adjacent jurisdictions,
or agreed-upon jurisdictional lines on all sides. We now know
exactly where the future outer boundaries of Cary’s
jurisdiction will be 50 years from now, because they are now
permanently in place. Cary is completely surrounded by the
jurisdictional authorities of (clockwise) Raleigh, Garner, Holly
Springs, Apex, Chatham County, Durham County, Research
Triangle Park, Morrisville, and Raleigh-Durham Airport.
These communities have to work together to assure a quality
and resilient future. In recognition of the importance of this
configuration of jurisdictions, and the effect that decisions of
one jurisdiction can have upon another, the regional planning
agency for this part of NC - - the Triangle J Council of
Governments - - created an entity called the Center of the
Region Enterprise (CORE). This is one of the key focus points
for the current regional context, in that CORE is looking at
growth management and land use issues within this multijurisdictional area that will affect Cary and need to be taken
into consideration as Cary considers its policy options and
opportunities.
The Center for Region Enterprise (CORE) is a partnership of
jurisdictions evaluating land planning and economic
opportunities in the heart of the Research Triangle Region.
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Another key regional consideration is transportation planning. Decisions
about major transportation systems are inherently regional. Many roads are
the province of the State of North Carolina, and decisions about major new
corridors and improvements, for all modes including roadway, transit,
pedestrian, and bicycles, are also made by the regional Capitol Area
Metropolitan Planning Organization, a regional organization covering Wake
County and beyond.
Water resources (and wastewater treatment systems) can only be viewed
within a regional context. Jordan Lake provides water to Cary and multiple
other communities, and allocation of supply among communities is subject
to regional and state discussions and negotiations. Cary’s footprint
straddles a key geologic feature: the ridge line separating two major river
basins - - The Cape Fear River Basin, flowing west from NC Highway 55, and
the Neuse River Basin, flowing east from NC 55. Wastewater treatment
facilities, pump stations (and force mains), and wastewater plant discharge
options are all subject to regional and state policy considerations because
of this topography.
Public education is a critical public service provided to Cary’s student
population by the Wake County and Chatham County School Districts. The
Town has a limited role in the provision of public education, but has a
critical stake in the quality of these systems; maintaining educational
excellence is important both for the academic achievement of students and
for maintaining the Town’s reputation for academic excellence that
ultimately impacts local economic development and quality of life.
Finally there are the economic and fiscal issues that link Cary to its regional
context and its neighbors. Job and business recruitment, retail and
recreation trends, and cultural identities all have regional aspects to the
consideration of policy choices.
What this means is that, on some fronts, Cary is master of its destiny, can
focus exclusively on the needs and preferences of Cary residents and
businesses, and is in unilateral control of policy directions. But for many
other issues, the Cary Community Plan must take into consideration the
regional context, and the projected impacts of regional trends on this
community.
LOCAL CONTEXT
Cary is the place “where better living begins.” It is safe, vibrant, attractive,
diverse, focused on achievement, and inspiring. For years it has received
awards for being one of the best small communities in the nation. It offers
excellent recreational amenities, high quality residential neighborhoods,
good paying jobs, and access to regional employment and shopping. For
years, Cary has built upon its assets, taking advantage of the Town’s unique
location in the Triangle to create a nationally recognized community of
excellence.
The Town prides itself on being not only a great place to live and work, but
also providing the most efficient and effective public services. Innovation
and efficiency are the cornerstones of the Town’s operations. Stewardship
Jordan Lake is a critical asset to the Cary and
the greater Triangle Region. It provides the
source water for many municipal water
systems and is a unique recreational amenity
for outdoor enthusiasts.
TOWN 2012 ACCOLADES
ONE
TOP PLACES TO LIVE
U . S . – Money Magazine
OF THE
IN THE
2ND BEST PLACE FOR BUSINESS
A N D C A R E E R S – Forbes
#1 REAL ESTATE MARKET TO WATCH
F O R – Inman News
5TH MOST FRUGAL CITY
– Coupons.com
7TH AMONG CITIES WITH THE
MOST COLLEGE-EDUCATED
RESIDENTS
– Based on research by the NY Times
6TH
IN
CITIES
FOR
STAYING YOUNG
– RealAge
HOME OF THE #1 MULTINATIONAL
WORKPLACE IN THE WORLD: SAS
I N S T I T U T E – Fortune
Introduction
of not only public dollars, but public land, air, water, and energy resources
are important goals of the community. Sustaining current resources for the
benefit of future Cary generations is a part of the culture and is evidenced
through programs to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, reclaim and
reuse water, and protect ribbons of greenways and open spaces throughout
Town.
This planning effort focuses not just on the Town of Cary, but more
appropriately on Cary’s entire land planning area. The Project Base Map,
located in the Appendix, illustrates the boundaries of Cary’s land planning
area. This area is a boundary that outlines the outermost extent of where
the Town of Cary may grow in the future. According to agreements with
neighboring jurisdictions, Cary cannot extend beyond this boundary. The
land planning area consists of four distinct geographies:
1.
Town of Cary Corporate Limits – This is the formal area known as
the Town of Cary. The Town provides utility services within this
area and plans and zones for all land within the Town limits.
Residents living in Cary pay town taxes and can vote for Town
Council members.
2.
Town of Cary Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) – These are special
planning areas granted jointly by the Town and Wake County as
permitted by the State of North Carolina. ETJ areas lie outside of
the Town’s corporate limits. The purpose of ETJ in North Carolina
is to allow for municipalities to plan for areas that may become part
of the community’s corporate limits in the foreseeable future and
that may require public utility services, such as potable water and
sanitary sewer. Properties in the ETJ are planned and zoned for by
the Town of Cary; however, residents living in the ETJ are not Cary
citizens and they do not pay Town taxes, nor can they vote for Town
Council members. The ETJ does have representation on the Town
of Cary’s Planning and Zoning Board.
3.
Town of Cary Urban Services Boundary – These are special planning
areas designated by Wake County for the Town of Cary and the
other 11 municipalities in the county. Cary’s Urban Services
Boundary is a geographic area contiguous to the Town’s corporate
limits and ETJ in which Wake County has determined that the Town
may someday provide public utilities.
4.
Chatham County – Town of Cary Joint Planning Area – Chatham
County does not define formal Urban Services Areas for its
municipalities. However, the Chatham-Cary Joint Land Use Plan,
adopted June 2012, effectively identifies the portion of Chatham
County that might someday be served by, or is eligible to be served
by the Town of Cary for public utility services. This area is included
within the Cary land planning area.
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Owners of properties located within the ETJ, Urban Services Boundary, or
the portion of the Chatham County-Town of Cary Joint Planning Area
included in the Cary land planning area are eligible to request public utility
service and incorporation into Cary’s Town limits. The Project Base Map,
located in the Appendix, illustrates these four geographies and the entire
land planning boundary.
Community Life
Community Life
People
CURRENT TRENDS
RAPIDLY GROWING POPULATION
Over the past two decades, the Town’s population has tripled, from 43,858 in
1990 to 135,234 in 2010, making Cary the seventh largest city in North
Carolina. Population growth is expected to continue, but likely at a slower
rate. Current estimates for January 2013 put the population at 144,000. By
2040, the Town’s population is expected to increase by more than 49,000 to
193,000 residents. However, that represents a modest annual growth rate
averaging about 1.1% over the period.
Cary’s population tripled between
1990 and 2010.
CARY IS THE 7TH LARGEST COMMUNITY
I N N O R T H C A R O L I N A . – 2010 Census
AGING POPULATION
By 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65, with life expectancy
increasing to 82.6 years in 2050. By 2050, the number of Americans over the
age of 85 is expected to triple from 5.4 to 19 million. In keeping with these
national trends, Cary’s population is getting older.
The fastest growing segment of Cary’s population is nearing
retirement age.
Between 2000 and 2011, the percentage of persons over 55 as a
portion of the Town’s population increased from 12% to 18%, and
the number of people aged 25-44 decreased from 39% to 31%.
CARY’S MEDIAN AGE IS THE
3RD OLDEST OF THE
14 LARGEST CITIES
IN NORTH CAROLINA,
SURPASSED ONLY BY
ASHEVILLE AND GASTONIA.
– 2010 Census
In 2011, the Town’s median age was 36.7—up from a median of 33.7
in 2000.
DIVERSIFYING POPULATION
The number of people who identify as Hispanic/Latino or
Asian in Cary has been steadily increasing over the last
decade. From 2000-2010, the percentage of the population
who identify as Hispanic/Latino increased from 4.3% to 7.7%,
and those who identify as Asian increased from 8.1% to 13%.
Combined, these groups now make up over 20% of Cary’s
population. Though the Hispanic population remains lower
than state and national averages, the Town’s Asian population
is the fastest growing population in Cary and is well above
state and national levels. As defined by the U.S. Census
Bureau, the largest concentration of Hispanic/Latino residents
in Wake County is located in the area east of downtown Cary.
This area is also the 6th highest concentration in North Carolina.
Cary’s population is becoming more diverse.
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SMALL MILLENIAL POPULATION
Millenials or “Generation Y” is the age
group generally born between 1980 and
2000, and the largest generational cohort
in America today.
This cohort has
exhibited different market preferences and
lifestyle
choices
than
previous
generations. But compared to national
and state averages, the Town has a much
lower number of residents between ages
20-29. This is the one national population
trend that is not tracking in Cary.
DECREASING HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY
SIZE
Marital Status at Age 18-28, by Generation, US (Percent)
Mirroring state and national trends, Cary’s average
household and family size have been decreasing. Though
both averages remain slightly higher than state and
national averages, the Town’s average household size
decreased from 2.69 to 2.61, and family size decreased
from 3.18 to 3.15 between 2000 and 2010. In contrast, the
number of people who have never been married increased
from 23.5% to 28.2% and the number of people living
alone increased from 21% to 23.9% for the same period.
National projections anticipate that by 2025, the number
of single person households will equal family households (i.e.,
households with two or more related people) and that by 2050, the
overwhelming majority of households will be single occupancy
households. The U.S. birthrate is also projected to drop from 1% in
2010 to 0.25% by 2035.
HIGH INCOME AND LOW POVERTY
Median household income is significantly greater in Cary than national
and state averages. In 2010, median household income in the Town was
$95,126, compared to a state median of $49,618, and the national
median of $53,177. Less than 5% of Cary residents have an income
below the poverty line, compared to the state percentage of 16.1%.
Millenial:
1980-2004
Generation X:
1961-1980
Baby Boomer:
1943-1964
Silent:
1925-1945
(GENERAL YEAR RANGES FOR GENERATIONS – OVERLAP IN YEARS REFLECTS
DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON AGE CUT-OFFS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES)
SOURCES
American Community Survey, 2011
US Census Bureau, 2010 and historical
Future Challenges and Opportunities
CHANGING PREFERENCES
As the face of Cary changes, so may the preferences of the new population. Aging seniors, empty nesters, couples
without children, millenials, and single person households may demand different housing types, public services, and
lifestyle options than provided in the past. These trends may have an impact on how we design our community for the
future.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FROM A GROWING AND DIVERSE POPULATION
As the population continues to grow and diversify, there may be opportunities to capitalize on the increasing diversity
and culture found in Cary, allowing the Town to thrive in a changing economy and world.
Community Life
Fiscal and Economic Health
CURRENT TRENDS
ECONOMY BASED ON ACC ESS TO RESEARCH
TRIANGLE PARK
Cary is located at the center of the thriving Research
Triangle Region, accessible to our highly-skilled regional
labor force (especially talent in the information services
sector); major research universities; Research Triangle Park
(RTP), and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. RTP is a
major regional economic driver, with a large concentration
of pharmaceutical and information services firms. Cary has
attracted spin-off businesses that chose to locate near RTP
and has capacity for more economic growth, with land
available for development and/or redevelopment in the
future.
Partly as a result of its excellent location, Cary has been
able to attract large corporate and administrative offices, as
well as retail businesses and other types of industries. These
diverse businesses employ about 60,000 workers within the
Town of Cary. Wages are relatively high and unemployment
low in Cary and throughout the Triangle, when compared
with other regions. Employment in Cary expanded by 26%
(12,000 jobs) between 2002 and 2007, compared with only 7%
in the Triangle region as a whole during this same period.
Thus, Cary remains a competitive location for business and
has an increasing share of the region’s employment base.
DIVERSE EMPLOYMENT B ASE
Cary has a relatively diverse economic base, with six sectors
each having more than 10% of the job base. Information
Services is the largest employment sector in Cary, accounting
for 20% (or one-fifth) of all jobs located in Cary. Retail trade is
the second-largest in Cary, accounting for 16% of all jobs. Many
of the retail jobs are concentrated in shopping centers like Cary
Towne Center or in smaller strip centers. There is not as yet a
significant retail concentration within the downtown area, and
the lack of downtown retail, dining and entertainment has
been identified by some as a challenge to business recruitment
and resident satisfaction. Professional, scientific, and technical
services constitutes the third largest industry within Cary, with
13% of all jobs in the Town. This sector incorporates a broad
range of businesses engaged in engineering, research and
development, consulting and other activities.
The SAS business park is an Icon of Industry in Cary.
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UNIQUE CONCENTRATION OF INFORMATION SERVICES BUSINESSES
While Cary’s economy is diverse, the Town’s economy is somewhat
dependent on the Information Services (IT) sector. This sector not only holds
the largest number of jobs in Cary, it is also highly-concentrated in the Town.
A “location quotient” analysis compares the share of jobs in each economic
sector within Cary to their respective shares within the Triangle regional
economy. The analysis shows the extent to which jobs are concentrated
within Cary for each sector of the economy. Based on this analysis, it was
determined that Information Services is the
only sector for which Cary has a unique
concentration when compared with the
region. At a measure of nearly 5.0 (or five
times the average concentration of these
jobs than the region as a whole), Cary has an
unusually high concentration of Information
Services jobs, even though the Triangle itself
has a relatively high share of these jobs on a
national basis. Thus, one of the nation’s
largest concentrations of IT jobs is in Cary.
While this finding confirms Cary’s
competitive advantages for attracting this
industry, it also implies a potentially
vulnerable dependency. For example, many
of Cary’s workers also live and shop in Cary,
generating spin-off for retail and services in
the local economy. If something happens to
slow growth or even precipitate a decline in
the IT sector, Cary could feel the negative
effects of such downturns more than other
communities do.
CARY HAS ONE OF THE
NATION’S LARGEST
CONCENTRATIONS OF
INFORMATION SERVICE JOBS
IN THE NATION.
Location quotients illustrate that the concentration of information service
businesses in Cary is strong, even in comparison to the Triangle Region.
CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING CONCENTRATION OF IT BUSINESSES
Information Technology and other companies have located in suburbanstyle office parks in Cary and throughout the region, and this trend is likely to
continue in the near-term. However, there is some question as to whether IT
and other companies will continue to select locations in traditional business
parks, or if there is a long-term shift underway to more “urban,” mixed-use
locations that cater more to the needs and preferences of technology
workers. Research Triangle Park (RTP) is itself undergoing a planning and
visioning process to ensure that it remains competitive for attracting
companies over the long-term. In discussions with technology-oriented
companies, a number of key factors were identified relating to site selection,
including local labor resources, real estate opportunities, cost of doing
business, and technology site requirements.
Cary’s office parks continue to satisfy the needs of technology companies in
most respects. In terms of amenities and site requirements, there is no “one
size fits all” preference among companies, where the desired amenities
depend on specific industry and employee demographics.
Greater Distance
to Amenities from Work
(restaurants, dry cleaners, daycare…)
Lower Productivity
Levels for Office Workers
Due to Longer Trips for Errands
Community Life
For example, the IT companies that have located in Cary tend to have more of an engineering component and employ
senior people in their 40s and older, often with families. In Cary, companies tend to look at the bottom line and the key
issue with amenities is the relationship between proximity and productivity. Where coffee shops, restaurants, dry
cleaners, day care, and other facilities are located nearby, employers see improved productivity because there is less
time spent out of the office during working hours. Some tech workers also work from home several days of the week.
Thus, the traditional single-use office park model may be changing to include more amenities for workers and to
accommodate companies’ desire to improve productivity levels.
WEALTH AND AMENITIES IMPORTANT FOR ATTRACTING BUSINESS
Cary’s high quality of life and high-value business environment have helped the community attract and retain
corporate tenants. Parks, biking trails, schools, and open space are often cited by business owners as important public
amenities that have helped to establish Cary’s high quality of life. High-quality housing and attractive single-family
neighborhoods have also helped to attract and retain businesses. Certainly Cary’s strong regulatory environment has
helped to ensure that development in the Town meets the highest standards for quality. Many developers and large
corporations appreciate that, while there are more restrictions on development in Cary, the end product retains a
higher value. Furthermore, the Town has a policy of negotiating financial incentives for large companies which helps
overcome some of the cost of doing business in Cary.
BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
At the same time, the restrictive development environment may also inadvertently create more barriers for small
businesses and entrepreneurs that wish to enter the Cary market. Interviews with local small business owners suggest
that smaller businesses may be at a disadvantage in relation to meeting local development requirements. While larger
developers and businesses have the time and resources to work through land development regulations, small
businesses do not have the same resources. Thus, the Town’s regulatory environment may act as a “double-edged
sword” in establishing an attractive physical environment for business while also presenting a challenge to smaller
companies.
DOWNTOWN AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
CHALLENGED
Throughout its evolution, Downtown Cary remained
consistent in size in comparison to the growth that has
propelled the community forward. Today, representatives
of business and the community have noted the need for
more dining and entertainment options in Downtown Cary,
and the desire for downtown to become more of a
destination. The challenge for attracting a destination
market, however, is downtown’s relatively isolated location
(2-3 miles from major commuter and transportation routes
such as Interstate 40) and lack of exposure. Meanwhile,
Cary Town Center and other shopping centers have
struggled due to rapidly increasing competition from
emerging and expanding retail commercial nodes and
lifestyle centers throughout the region.
Permanent
occupancy at Cary Town Center has fallen to 70%, despite
the best efforts of center management.
Cary has focused efforts on improving downtown
to establish a defined “heart” of Cary.
FORMAL STRUCTURE FOR ACHIEVING ECONOMIC D EVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
The Town funds an Economic Development official, housed at the Chamber of Commerce. This approach has worked
well in providing a direct link between the Town and the business community, and the Town has been very successful
in recruiting large corporate tenants. Economic development objectives are oriented primarily to enhancing the tax
base for Cary.
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In addition, the Town funds a Downtown Development Director on a contract basis to oversee redevelopment within
the downtown area. There is no entity dedicated specifically to recruiting and assisting small businesses and
entrepreneurs in Cary.
CONSERVATIVE FISCAL POLICIES
The Town of Cary has instituted relatively
conservative fiscal policies over the years which have
helped the community sustain its financial health
and retain its ability to accommodate growth. At the
same time, the Town derives a significant share of its
revenue from property taxes, which have expanded
along with the growth in property development. As
the Town builds out, revenue growth will slow while
costs will continue to increase. Ensuring sufficient
revenue growth to meet local service demands will
become the key fiscal challenge facing Cary in the
future.
CONSERVATIVE POLICIES TIED TO FISCAL HEALTH
For example, the Town utilizes low revenue growth
projections as a basis for programming capital
improvements and operations. The Town also
maintains high reserves to ensure the community
has sufficient “rainy day” funds available during a
downturn. The Town’s pensions are nearly 100%
funded. Partly as a result of these policies, the Town of
Cary maintains a very high, AAA credit rating.
ECONOMIC STRENGTH AIDS FISCAL HEALTH
The Town’s fiscal health also benefits from a strong
and diverse business base, which has grown in
support of residential infrastructure development and
services. While there is no perfect “mix” of residential
versus commercial, the key is to maintain commercial
values and ensure there is sufficient revenue growth
to meet operational obligations over the long-term.
As development and population growth slows, so will
valuation growth rates. This will be a challenge in the future
as the rate of revenue growth from property taxes slows,
while town operational costs continue to increase.
CONSTRAINTS ON REVENUE GROWTH LOOMING IN THE FUTURE
SOURCES
U.S. Census Bureau
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
N.C. Department of Commerce, Division
of Employment Security
Cary’s revenue base has expanded over time in tandem with its population.
However, overall revenue growth is slowing as the rate of growth slows and
the overall tax base stabilizes. At build out, the Town will be much more
dependent on rising property tax revenues from existing land uses, whether
due to increased values for existing property, redevelopment and
densification of existing less-developed sites, and/or increases in the
property tax rate.
NAI Carolantic Realty
As the chart to the right indicates, the annual growth rate in Cary’s property
valuations historically has shadowed overall annual population growth
rates, so there is an inferred correlation between growth in property tax base
and growth in revenues.
Research Triangle Regional Partnership
Southern Growth Policies Board
CompTIA (I.T. Industry Association)
Urban Land Institute
Town of Cary
Brookings Institution
Randall Gross, Development Economics
Dr. Michael Walden, N.C. State University
Fitch Ratings
Local Business Stakeholder Interviews
Community Life
DECLINING SALES TAX REVENUES
While property tax revenues have continued to
increase (albeit at slowing growth rates), sales tax
revenues have temporarily declined in absolute
terms since peaking in 2008. Certainly the national
economic recession is partly to blame for declining
sales tax revenues, but lower-than-expected
performance among Cary’s retail centers (due mainly
to rapidly increasing regional competition), also
plays a role.
Town of Cary Sales Tax Revenues
Actuals Through FY 2011, Estimates for FY 2012
and Budget for FY 2013
As shown on the graphic to the right, Cary levies
several sales taxes. The one-cent sales tax revenues
increased gradually between 1989 and 2008, when
they reached their peak. Revenues from the two halfcent sales tax peaked in 2011. The half-cent tax was
only introduced in 2003 and revenues also peaked in
2008. Since 2008, growth in sales tax revenues has
generally stagnated.
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION AND CONTINUED GROWTH
While Cary’s economy is diverse, there is a significant dependence on the information services sector. Impacts to
information service jobs could not only affect this industry, but other businesses that support information service
businesses. Understanding the locational needs of target industries is a critical first step in maintaining the Town’s
unique cluster of information service businesses and in continuing to diversify economic growth in Cary.
AFFLUENT BUT AGING MARKET BASE
The Town’s workforce is highly skilled and aging. In order to continue to provide an attractive local workforce for
business recruitment and retention, attracting new talent to the town may become increasingly important in future
years if current population trends continue. Enhancements to the community may be needed to offer a lifestyle that
young professionals desire.
BALANCING REGULATION AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Regulation is both one of the reasons for the high quality of development found in Cary and possibly responsible for
restricting small business growth. Finding the right balance between these two factors will be a challenge.
CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT FOR RETAIL AND DOWNTOWN SUCCESS
The regional retail market has posed a challenge to Cary’s aging retail centers. Efforts to develop a strong downtown
that offers destination services also is challenged by the distance from downtown to major regional roads/highways.
DEFINING FUTURE GROWTH
The Town’s tax structure is heavily dependent upon property valuation. As growth slows in future years due to limited
land available for development, there will be a need to address declining revenue growth and continued increases in
public costs due to inflation to maintain Cary’s high level of services over the long term.
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Homes & Neighborhoods
CURRENT TRENDS
HIGH VALUE HOUSING STOCK
Cary has a reputation for having high quality housing and
neighborhoods. That value is reflected in the cost of
housing. Cary’s median housing price in 2011 was
$301,900, 33% higher than median housing prices in Wake
County and 98% higher than median housing prices in
North Carolina.
PREDOMINANCE OF SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED
UNITS
The majority (73%) of housing units in Cary are singlefamily units, including townhomes. However, the
proportion of single-family units as a percentage of the
total housing stock decreased slightly from a high of 75% in
2007.
SLIGHT INCREASE IN TOWNHOMES AND MULTI-FAMILY
STOCK
Much of Cary’s housing stock is high quality
single-family housing in master planned developments.
Multi-family housing units comprise 26% of the housing stock
in Cary, and have increased modestly as a percentage of the
total stock of housing since 2007. These shifts reflect changes
that are occurring in the national housing market. This trend
is reflected in the sale of townhomes in Cary. In 2000, the sale
of townhomes represented 8.8% of all housing sales and
increased to 23.6% of total sales in 2011.
CHANGES IN HOUSING PREFERENCES
The National Association of Homebuilders report that there
has been a national decline in the size of new single-family
homes, and this trend is expected to continue. While Cary’s
housing stock will continue to be traditional housing for
families, changes in households, such as the surge in Cary’s
aging population, growth in single person households, and
the buying preferences of the millennial generation, may
create a shift in demand for different housing types that
reflect their needs and lifestyle preferences. These include
smaller homes/lots to reduce maintenance costs and time,
and closer proximity to services and shopping.
The majority of housing in Cary is single-family; however, the
percentage of multi-family units in Cary has grown.
STRONG HOMEOWNERSHIP AND INCREASING RENTAL VACANCY RATES
Homeownership is stronger in Cary when compared to state averages. About 72% of housing units in Cary are owneroccupied, with approximately 28% occupied by renters. Statewide, 67% of homes are owner-occupied and 32% are
rental. Vacancy rates in Cary are increasing, from approximately 5.3% in 2000 to 6.4% in 2011. In 2011, rental units had
a significantly higher vacancy rate (7.9%) than owner-occupied units (1.2%).
Community Life
15
MODERN BUT AGING HOUSING STOCK
Many housing units in Cary are relatively modern, with 83% of
units built in or since 1980. However, approximately 17% of
the housing stock was built prior to 1980, and is now more
than 30 years old. Many of these aging homes may be in need
of repair, especially those houses which may be occupied by
elderly, disabled, and low- and moderate-income individuals
and families. The Town provides housing rehabilitation
program grants to eligible property owners in older
neighborhoods with aging homes in poor condition. By 2020,
nearly 37% of the town’s housing stock will be 30 years old or
older and the demand for programs to assist with housing
rehabilitation may increase.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES
The median value of a single-family owner-occupied house in
Cary is $301,900. Fair market rates for rental units in Cary
average $878 for a 2-bedroom unit, $1,137 for a 3-bedroom,
and $1,412 for a 4-bedroom unit. Housing costs continue to
outpace inflation and wage growth in the community.
Older neighborhoods in Cary offer housing that is
more affordable than other parts of Town.
Over the past decade, considerable strides towards preserving and creating
affordable housing options for low- and moderate-income individuals and
families have been made. The Town has developed 235 units of affordable
single-family and over 500 affordable multi-family units through the
utilization of public funding, collaborations with nonprofit organizations and
public-private partnerships.
Despite the Town’s investment in affordable housing units, affordability of
housing remains a challenge for many Cary residents. In 2007, over 45% of
jobs held by Cary residents were in occupations that place people in
moderate, low, and very low income households, meaning that they may
likely struggle to afford fair market rents or median price mortgage
payments in Cary.
NEIGHBORHOODS
Cary’s neighborhoods are largely comprised of master planned
developments that have Homeowner’s Associations and offer amenities to
local residents, such as sidewalks, trails, neighborhood parks, club houses,
and golf courses. Older neighborhoods located in and surrounding the
downtown area of Cary are the locations for much of the more affordable
housing found in the town. These areas have been a focus for housing
rehabilitation and new affordable housing initiatives in recent years.
SOURCES
American Community Survey, 2007- 2011
US Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 2013
US Census Bureau, 2000
Cary 2020 Affordable Housing Plan
Cary Planning Department Staff
National Association of Homebuilders
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
MISMATCH BETWEEN CURRENT HOUSING SUPPLY AND PROJECTED FUTURE DEMAND
Cary’s current supply of traditional large-scale single-family homes may not meet the needs of all future Cary residents,
especially as the population changes and demand increases for townhomes, patio homes, multi-family,
multigenerational, handicap accessible and elderly housing and accessory units. While family-oriented single family
homes will continue to dominate, other choices may be needed to meet changing household needs.
MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITIES AND LEADERSHIP
Recruiting and retaining neighborhood leaders and advocates is often a challenge for neighborhoods as the homes
and community mature. Likewise, it can become difficult to maintain the quality of the neighborhood and amenities as
homes age and change ownership and Homeowners Associations evolve over time.
INVESTMENT IN EXISTING HOUSING STOCK
As Cary’s neighborhoods and homes age, a critical challenge will be to maintain the quality of the Town’s housing stock
to avoid disinvestment and decline of homes and neighborhoods.
INCREASING AFFORDABILITY
Much of Cary’s housing stock is beyond reach for many local worker households. As the region grows and
transportation systems become more congested, it may be important to find ways to make housing affordable to local
employees to reduce the potential loss of employees and residents to neighboring jurisdictions.
LOCATION OF NEW HOUSING
As the Town’s population increases and changes, the Town will need to consider where new housing will be located.
Since the Town’s geographic growth limits are set and new growth areas are limited, it likely will be a challenge to
identify the appropriate locations for new homes that best meet the needs of an aging and diversifying local
population.
Community Life
Cultural Arts & Preservation
CURRENT TRENDS
ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM ARTS & CULTURAL
OFFERINGS
Cary boasts a wide offering of cultural and arts activities,
events, and facilities including performing arts, visual arts,
and cultural/ethnic programs.
These offerings are made possible through partnerships
between various organizations and the Town of Cary. More
than 60 arts and cultural organizations are listed in the
Town’s database and the Town has direct and indirect
partnerships with 26 organizations. In fiscal year 2013, 25
organizations received grants from the Town of Cary for
arts and cultural activities and pursuits.
These arts and cultural activities and facilities are well
attended and are reaping significant economic benefits for
the Town. For example, since opening in July 2011, the
Cary Arts Center has recorded an average monthly
attendance of approximately 11,500 visitors.
Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheater hosts
world class performances.
A 2012 study estimated that the total economic impact of nonprofit arts and
culture organizations and their audiences in the Town of Cary in fiscal year
2010 was nearly $9.2 million. These activities provided approximately 400
full-time jobs and event-related spending by arts and cultural audiences
totaled approximately $5 million.
CARY ARTS CENTER HAS 11,500 VISITORS MONTHLY
- Town of Cary Cultural Resources
TOWN OF CARY CULTURAL ARTS
PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES
Performing Arts
Applause! Cary Youth Theatre
Concerts
Classes
Visual Arts
Gallery Exhibitions
EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWN
The area now known as Cary was first settled primarily by small subsistence
farmers in the mid-1700s. More settlers arrived in the ensuing decades and
by the mid-1800s, the railroad had come and a small merchant community
was established. Around 1850, local landowner, businessman, and staunch
Methodist, Allison Francis (Frank) Page became the first postmaster, railroad
agent, and mayor. Also around this time, Samuel Fenton Cary, a national
temperance leader, and U.S. Congressman from Ohio, visited the area at
least twice and was well-received by the locals. Frank Page began calling
the area “Cary” in his honor. The name stuck, and in 1871 the Town of Cary
was officially incorporated. In 1870, Frank Page, Adolphus Jones, and Rufus
Jones established Cary Academy at the southern terminus of what is now
Academy Street. The Academy’s excellent reputation drew boarding
students from around the state, thus beginning Cary’s long and continuing
association with academic excellence, and fueling Cary’s growth into the 20th
century.
Public Art
Classes and Programs
Cultural/Ethnic Programs
African-American Celebration
Diwali
Eid
Festival Ritmo Latino
Kwanzaa
MLK Jr. Dreamfest
Sister Cities
Facilities
Cary Arts Center
Page-Walker Arts and History Center
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
IMPORTANT HISTORIC RESOURCES
Within Cary’s planning jurisdiction, there are currently three types of special historic designations: properties listed
individually on the National Register of Historic Places, properties listed as contributing to a National Register Historic
District, and properties designated as Cary Historic Landmarks.
The Town currently owns 11 historic properties both downtown and Townwide. These properties will provide
opportunities for historic preservation, education, and restorative/adaptive uses of the property and buildings. These
sites will provide the venue for artisans and artists to “tell the story of Cary’s history” through period arts and crafts,
story-telling, re-enactment, and living history, a working farm, marrying art and history through the balance of
preservation and restoration.
The following four properties are listed individually on the National Register
of Historic Places:
Page-Walker Hotel (now Arts & History Center)
Nancy Jones House
Utley Council House
Ivey-Ellington-Waddell House
The Page-Walker Hotel and four other properties are also designated and
celebrated as Cary Historic Landmarks:
Guess-White-Ogle House
Dr. John Pullen Hunter House
Carpenter Farm Supply Complex (2 buildings)
Cary First Christian Church Cemetery
Three National Register Historic Districts are located in the Town: Cary
(downtown), Carpenter, and Green Level. These districts cover more than
315 acres in different historic parts of the community. In addition, Cary’s
Historic Resources Inventory contains an additional 200+ noteworthy
historic (pre-1969) buildings scattered throughout the town.
NEW FRAMEWORK FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Town of Cary is served by Wake County’s Historic Preservation
Commission through a 1994 interlocal agreement. The Town’s Land
Development Code currently has no ordinances that require preservation of
any historic building. The Town of Cary’s Historic Preservation Master Plan
was adopted in 2010 to provide a framework for the development of the
Town’s first formal preservation program, serve as a guide for proactive
preservation decision-making, and provide a comprehensive, coordinated
approach to historic preservation.
Historic District
Downtown
Size (Acres)
30
Carpenter
210
Green Level
75
Contributing Resources
30 historic dwellings,
assorted outbuildings,
old Cary High School
3 general stores, 15 dwellings, various
commercial and transportation buildings,
institutional buildings, outbuildings
2 stores, church,
3 dwellings and outbuildings,
2 farms, Green Level landscape
The Cary Art Center celebrates the
Town’s history and serves as a
valuable cultural resource.
SOURCES
Arts and Economic Prosperity IV in Wake
County, NC, 2012
Town of Cary staff and website, 2013
Public Art Master Plan
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural
Resources Master Plan
Town of Cary Cultural Resources Staff
Community Life
MEETING DEMAND FOR FUTURE ARTS/PROGRAMMING
As the community and the region grow, increasing demand for cultural arts programming and facilities to host those
programs may require additional resources to fund new arts initiatives.
CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN DOWNTOWN
The focus on downtown development and revitalization could include creating active outdoor community gathering
and event spaces to accommodate festivals and special events, and development of an arts district.
MAINTAINING EXISTING FACILITIES
Community facilities that serve the arts and culture needs of the community will need continued attention over time.
Maintenance and upkeep of the town’s existing facilities is critical to preserving the arts and culture industry in Cary.
INCORPORATING ART INTO THE PUBLIC REALM
To infuse the art culture into the everyday experience of Cary’s residents and workers, public art could be incorporated
in the development of the Town’s infrastructure, transportation, and parks and recreation system per the Public Art
Master Plan guidelines.
PRESERVATION AND ADAPTIVE REUSE
Planning for the adaptive reuse and preservation of Town-owned historic buildings is another opportunity to invest in
local cultural heritage. Models for this already exist in Cary, including the Page-Walker Center and Cary Arts Center.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS
The opportunity exists for the Town to encourage preservation through the continued implementation of the Historic
Preservation Master Plan adopted in 2010.
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Recreation & Community Facilities
CURRENT TRENDS
STRONG DEMAND FOR RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
FACILITIES
There is a good distribution of indoor facilities in the Cary
area, with approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of Cary
residents within three miles of an indoor recreation facility.
The Town’s facilities are in strong demand, as are some of
the private recreation facility providers such as the Cary
YMCA, Triangle Aquatic Center, and others.
A survey of Cary residents, conducted as part of the needs
assessment for the Town’s 2012 Parks, Recreation &
Cultural Resources Master Plan, revealed that making
improvements and/or renovating existing facilities is a high
priority. Adding an outdoor aquatic center and new indoor
recreation space are also key priority areas.
As identified in the Town’s 2012 Parks, Recreation &
Cultural Resources Master Plan, the current indoor
recreation center level of service is approximately 0.5 square
feet of space per resident, which is somewhat low compared
to other comparable communities, which typically range
from 1 to 2 square feet per resident.
Recreational facilities and programs in Cary are in
high demand by residents.
2008 TO 2011 SENIOR CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
- North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services
EXTENSIVE PROGRAMMIN G FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS
Cary offers an extensive range of recreation programs and classes from arts
and history to fitness and sports. Top programming needs of high
importance for Cary as identified in the 2012 Parks, Recreation & Cultural
Resources Master Plan include:
Cultural arts programs
Town sports leagues, camps and clinics
Adult recreation
Science, technology, engineering, and math
Aquatics instruction
Environmental education
Specialized programs for people with disabilities
The Town continually works to review existing programs and align those
with community desires and available resources.
TOWN OF CARY RECREATION
AND COMMUNITY CENTERS
Bond Park Community Center
Cary Senior Center
Herbert C. Young Community Center
Middle Creek Community Center
Community Life
21
DRAWING VISITORS WITH MAJOR V ENUES
In addition to its array of recreation and community
facilities, the Town has aggressively pursued and
established itself as an amateur sports destination,
drawing visitors to Cary’s major sports venues: Cary Tennis
Park, USA Baseball National Training Complex, and
WakeMed Soccer Park. In 2011, these three facilities
together served an estimated 455,000 people with a total
estimated economic impact of $6.2 million.
2011 Estimated
People Served
2011 Estimated
Economic
Impact
Cary Tennis Park
240,000
$1.4 million
USA Baseball National
Training Complex
55,000
$2.7 million
WakeMed Soccer Park
160,000
$2.1 million
Major Sports Venue
Cary offers nationally recognized recreational amenities.
SOURCES
Town of Cary GIS Data, 2013; Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural
Resources Master Plan, 2012; Town of Cary Parks and
Recreation Staff; and the Greater Raleigh Convention and
Visitors Bureau.
FUTURE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
PROGRAMMING FOR A GROWING AND DIVERSIFYING POPULATION
The Town currently offers a wide range of recreation programs and facilities. Looking to the future, the Town may need
to monitor the market and adapt its programming to meet the needs of a growing and changing population, with a
particular focus on the Town’s aging population. Potential areas for enhanced programming in the future include
therapeutic and specialized recreation for seniors, fitness, heritage, environmental education and science, technology,
engineering and math education. Potential new facilities to consider include farmers markets, spray grounds, dog
parks, and community gardens.
EXPANDING AND EVOLVING COMMUNITY CENTERS
A diverse range of new recreational spaces are needed to satisfy the growing demand for courts and fields across Town.
There is a need to redefine the Service Model for new Community Centers to consider a larger multigenerational,
multipurpose center. Potential facilities would include a mix of components such as indoor leisure aquatics, fitness
components, gyms, and multi-purpose spaces for flexible programming.
MANAGING COMPETITIVE SPORTS VENUES
The Town must continue to work to manage and market its competitive sports venues so that they remain financially
sustainable, continue to attract regional and national events, and are considered an asset by all citizens.
LOCATIONS OF FUTURE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES
An ongoing challenge is to meet the growing demand for diverse indoor recreational and community space. Locating
these facilities, particularly larger venues that may attract visitors from outside of Cary, near community centers that
provide retail, restaurant, and lodging services could encourage local spin-off economic development. Easy access via
transit, bicycle, and for pedestrians should be considered when siting and designing of these new facilities.
ACCESSIBILITY OF FACILITIES
Accessibility of recreational and community facilities could be improved by siting and designing new venues to provide
easy access via transit, bicycle, and for pedestrians.
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Education
CURRENT TRENDS
STRONG ENROLLMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL
The Wake County and Chatham County School systems
have the responsibility and authority to provide public K-12
educational services for citizens in their respective
counties. In 2011, the Cary student population totaled
39,741. Nearly 85% of these students are enrolled in public
school, and slightly more than 15% are enrolled in private
schools, charters, or are homeschooled. The high number
of public school students possibly reflects parent
satisfaction with the quality of the public education
provided to Cary’s students.
There are 20 elementary, 6 middle, and 4 public high
schools located within the Town’s corporate limits, all in
the Wake County School District portion of Cary. Because
High quality public education has always been an important
school assignments are not based on municipal limits, these
component of Cary’s quality of life.
schools serve the Wake County residents of Cary as well as
residents in other surrounding Wake County jurisdictions.
Likewise, some Cary students are assigned to schools located in surrounding
jurisdictions. Students in the Chatham County portion of Cary attend
Chatham County Schools.
Charter and private school options are also available in the Cary area. Six
private schools are located within the Town, as are a number of active
homeschooler groups.
HIGH EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Cary has a long history of highly-educated citizens. In 2011, 84% of Cary’s
residents had at least some college, 62% had achieved a college degree, and
24% had achieved a graduate or professional degree. While these numbers
have declined slightly in recent years, they are still higher than state and
Wake County percentages. The percentage of population achieving a
college degree in Wake County was 48% and in North Carolina it was 27%.
CONVENIENT ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Cary is located in close proximity to numerous higher educational
institutions. Public universities in the vicinity include North Carolina State
University in Raleigh, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and North
Carolina Central University in Durham. Wake Technical, Durham Technical,
and Central Carolina Community Colleges are located nearby. Wake Tech’s
Western Wake Campus is located in Cary.
Private institutions in the area include Duke University, St. Augustine
University, William Peace University, Shaw University, and Meredith College.
Numerous private technical schools are located proximate to Cary.
62% OF CARY RESIDENTS
HAVE AT LEAST A COLLEGE
DEGREE COMPARED TO
48% IN WAKE COUNTY AND
27% IN NORTH CAROLINA.
- American Community Survey
Community Life
PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE SITING OF SCHOOLS
Cary has a history of partnering with the Wake County Public School System to improve the siting and location of
schools within the Town of Cary. The two jurisdictions have worked together to jointly locate school sites with parks,
greenways, and community centers. The Town has also provided in-kind assistance to the Wake County Public School
System to acquire land for several school sites in Cary. These are important collaborations that can reinforce longrange planning goals for the Town.
SOURCES
Town of Cary Administration
MAINTAINING A QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AS GROWTH CONTINUES AND DEMOGRAPHICS CHANGE
An excellent public education system is a critical component of maintaining Cary’s quality of life and competitive
economic advantage. As growth and demographic changes occur in the future, it will be important to maintain the
quality of the local public education systems.
COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TOWN AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
The Town of Cary plays several key roles related to the school district and its facilities in the Town. It directs
development review for new schools and school expansions to ensure that new school facilities meet the Town’s
development and appearance standards; helps to secure joint use agreements for parks and gymnasiums; and
provides community support and volunteerism by providing School Resource Officers for middle and high schools.
While the Town does support local schools, decisions related to school policies and school development are ultimately
the jurisdiction of the school districts. Coordinated partnerships between the Town and educational institutions are
critical for maintaining high quality schools into the future.
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Public Safety
CURRENT TRENDS
ONE OF THE SAFEST CI TIES IN THE NATION
For nearly two decades, Cary has been designated one of
the safest mid-sized cities in the nation. Cary’s police
department has received national accreditation status
through the Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for the past twenty years.
This year (2013), Cary ranked as the third safest mid-sized
city in the nation. Cary is also the first community in North
Carolina to receive a Certificate of Advanced Meritorious
Accreditation under the Gold Standard Assessment, and
the Accreditation with Excellence Award.
Cary’s public safety is provided through the Town’s Police
and Fire Departments that provide law enforcement, fire
suppression, emergency medical service, and technical
rescue services. Cary’s EMS is an accredited volunteer and
paid ambulance service.
Cary has been recognized as one of the safest
mid-sized cities in the nation for 20 years.
The Police Department is comprised of 187 sworn officers
and 41 civilian members, and the Fire Department has 225
personnel. The Town’s public safety focus is to provide
efficient and effective delivery of services to keep Cary one
of the nation’s safest cities.
Cary’s Fire Department has achieved a Class 3 Public
Protection Classification from the Insurance Service Office
(ISO). The purpose of ISO is to give insurance companies a
uniform system on which to base their insurance premiums.
The department is also accredited by the Commission on
Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).
DECENTRALIZATION OF SAFETY SERVICES
The Town is pursuing opportunities to decentralize public
Cary’s first responders provide excellent service to residents and
safety services in targeted geographic areas to maximize
reach high priority calls within minutes.
partnerships with the community and provide better service.
Fire safety service is provided through seven existing fire
stations. Fire Station #8, set to open in the summer of 2013, is
the latest station to house fire and police personnel in the
same facility; a police district office will be located there.
GOOD EMERGENCY RESPO NSE TIMES
Response times for highest priority calls are within five minutes for police responders and for first responder fire
department apparatus.
Community Life
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT
Success of public safety services in Cary is partially due to the cooperative
relationship between public safety providers and the Town’s citizens. There
are several opportunities for citizens to engage in public safety programs,
including the Citizens Police Academy, Community Watch, Business Watch,
and the Cary Certified Emergency Response Team.
SOURCES
Commission on Accreditation for Law
Enforcement Agencies
Town of Cary Police and Fire Department
Staff, 2013
CAREFULLY MONITOR SERVICE DEMANDS FOR GROWING COMMUNITY
As development occurs and the Town’s boundaries expand into the land planning area, it is critical for public safety
providers to analyze the distribution and concentration of staff and facilities to ensure compliance with adopted
performance goals.
PUBLIC SAFETY FOR AGING POPULATION
Cary’s aging population could potentially place greater demand on emergency management services as the health of
residents declines over time. Accordingly, per capita public safety costs may increase in concert with demand.
Monitoring these trends to keep pace with changing demands will be critical in planning for future equipment and
personnel needs.
FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE
Fire and police would like to continue to increase opportunities for citizens to be involved in public safety services. A
focus on relationships and the ability to work collaboratively toward mutually desired outcomes will become
increasingly important to keep Cary safe. Engagement can include feedback on the development of departmental
business plans.
SEEK OUT EFFICIENT SERVICE OPTIONS
Cary is surrounded on all sides by jurisdictions that have their own public safety programs. The Town could explore
and take advantage of all operational and cost effective benefits that may be derived from external agency agreements
(i.e., agreements with neighboring public safety providers, such as Morrisville, Apex, etc.).
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Health
CURRENT TRENDS
GENERALLY HEALTHY CO MMUNITY
For the fourth year in a row, Wake County has been named the “Healthiest
County” in North Carolina by the University of Wisconsin’s Population
Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This
partnership assesses the health of counties in all 50 states using a standard
formula.
2012 Health Outcomes and
Health Factors
Wake
County
Statistics
2012 Health Outcomes
Premature deaths
5,212
Poor or fair health
12%
Public health is monitored by the Wake County Human Services
Department for the purpose of identifying community health problems and
to inform, educate, and empower people to improve health conditions.
Adult smoking
15%
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Adult obesity
26%
Physical inactivity
18%
Excessive drinking
15%
While Wake County is very healthy on average, there are trends showing
that health risk factors are increasing for Wake County residents, and for
Cary. The County’s Public Health Quarterly Report cites the following key
areas for improvement:
Obesity is on in the increase- since 2006, 25% more Wake County
residents are obese. The percent of obese children ages 2-4 has begun
to decrease in Wake County; however, obesity in school age children
(ages 5-11 years) is on the rise.
Children in poverty in Wake County increased from 11% in 2008 to 15%
in 2010.
Violent crime in Wake County is five times higher than the national
benchmark. Due to the ratings of Cary’s public safety, this may not
reflect crime statistics for the Town of Cary.
Excessive drinking is a problem - 15% of Wake county adults participate
in heavy or binge drinking compared to 13% of adults in North Carolina
for 2004-2010. This is twice the national benchmark.
Sexually transmitted infections increased from 365 per 100,000
population to 394 to 100,000 population between 2008 and 2009 – this is
five times higher than the national benchmark.
Physical environment in Wake County ranks 93rd out of 100 counties
because of unhealthy environmental conditions based on air pollution,
access to recreational facilities, limited access to healthy foods, and the
number of fast food restaurants.
The county has responded by setting out strategic goals to improve critical
health issues by June 2014. Fighting obesity is a priority target.
2012 Health Factors
Low income households with
limited access to healthy foods
Fast food restaurants as
percent of all restaurants
6%
52%
NEARLY 40% OF
WAKE COUNTY RESIDENTS
SAID THAT THE REASON
FOR NOT ENGAGING
IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
WAS A LACK OF TIME.
- Wake County Public
Health Quarterly Report
% of Obese Children Ages 5-11
Community Life
ACCESS TO HEALTHY FO ODS
Increasingly, health professionals are learning that our
food environment factors--such as proximity to food stores
and restaurants, food prices, food and nutrition assistance
programs-- have an impact on health outcomes. The U. S.
Department of Agriculture has devised several instruments
to identify geographic areas that are “food insecure,”
meaning locations that do not provide low income
populations with proximate access to food. Cary is
fortunate to not have any food insecure areas in the Town
limits, but areas do exist in Raleigh directly east of Town.
There is a growing movement to provide access to healthy
locally grown foods through farmers markets and
community supported agriculture (CSAs). Cary is home to
several farmers’ markets, including the Cary Downtown
Farmer’s Market, the Waverley Place Farmer’s Market, and the
Western Wake Farmer’s Market in Cary.
Offering healthy recreational choices is one way
to improve public health outcomes.
SOURCES
Wake County Human Services Public Health
Quarterly Reports (2012)
2010 Wake County Community Assessment
USDA Food Research Atlas
USDA Food Environment Atlas
IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGH LAND PLANNING
The design of future developments, both residential and non-residential, can have an impact on the health outcomes
of residents and workers, especially when development provides options for biking and walking. There is an
opportunity to consider health implications as part of the built environment planning process.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL AMENITIES
It is a goal of Cary’s new Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Master Plan to cultivate outdoor, connected, green,
walkable spaces. Tying these spaces to residential and commercial centers provides additional opportunities for
recreation and exercise.
ENHANCING AWARENESS OF LOCAL RECREATIONAL AMENITIES
Not all of Cary’s recreational programs and facilities are fully utilized, possibly due to lack of awareness of facilities and
services that provide healthy recreational offerings for residents.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND LOCALLY GROWN FOODS
Cary’s residents have adequate access to healthy food. As the community grows, it may be a challenge to ensure that
proximate access to healthy food sources is provided to new residents.
27
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Natural Environment & Utilities
Open Space, Parks, and Greenways
CURRENT TRENDS
DISTRIBUTED YET CONNECTED SYSTEM OF HIGHQUALITY PARKS
The Town of Cary’s system of parks and open spaces
cover approximately 1,835 acres (2.8 square miles).
Another 430+ acres of parks are planned for the future.
This network of existing and planned parks are
distributed across the community and include a range of
sizes from smaller parks that serve neighborhoods to
larger metro and community parks that serve a broader
population.
PARKLAND DEDICATION WITH RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Dedication of parkland has been required with single–
family development for many years in Cary. Recently, with the
2012 Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Master Plan
effort, this requirement was extended to apply to multi-family
development to ensure that all types of new residential
development will provide an equitable share of parkland
needed for the future.
Cary has land-banked hundreds of acres of open space and
natural areas for future generations.
Existing Greenspace
Acres
Existing Parks (not including venues)
1,136
Greenway Corridors
180
Natural Areas
519
Existing Subtotal
PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES
Cary has made a commitment to protecting and managing
areas that are ecologically important and have a high
wildlife habitat value. In addition to the Town’s nature
preserve that includes a nature center, the Town has 519
acres of natural areas and buffers that have been
protected. These areas are set aside to conserve significant
natural or cultural resources, wildlife habitat, landscapes,
and open space, or provide enhanced aesthetics/buffer.
They typically include dedicated watersheds or
natural/non-developed areas, and their use for recreation
is a secondary objective. The Town manages these areas
with emphasis on environmental protection, nonmotorized access, outdoor education, and connections to
other open space and trails.
1,835
Planned Future Parks
432
Future Total
2,267
Number
Existing
Number
Planned
Mini Parks
4
--
Neighborhood Parks
11
15
Community Parks
4
5
School Parks
5
2
Metro Parks
2
1
Existing and Future Parks
Preserve
1
--
Total
27
23
CONNECTED AND EXPANDING OPEN SPACE AND GREENWAY NETWORK
Cary’s network of greenways ties together park sites to form a cohesive park,
recreation, and open space system. The Town currently has 70 miles of
paved greenway located within 180 acres of open space. Another 137 miles
are proposed for future expansion of the greenway network, and the Town
has set a goal of budgeting for the construction of at least two miles of
greenway per year.
Greenways
(including street side trails
and sidewalk connectors)
Miles
Existing
70
Proposed
137
Although the Town has shown a commitment to greenway construction that
rivals any other community in North Carolina, the citizens of Cary continue
to demand greater connectivity and linkage to other communities as well as
to other regionally important trail systems. As such, the Town of Cary plays a
crucial role in connecting regional, statewide, and national trails, including
the American Tobacco Trail and the East Coast Greenway.
TOTAL
207
According to the Town’s 2007 trail user counts, total estimate usage on any
given Saturday or Sunday for the greenway system is 10,756 users and 1.1
million users over the course of a year. The typical Cary resident uses a trail 8
times on weekends during a year.
Resources Master Plan, 2012; and Town
SOURCES
Town of Cary GIS Data, 2013;
Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural
of Cary Staff.
BALANCED, GEOGRAPHIC-BASED PARK DEVELOPMENT
Providing a geographically balanced parks system will be a continuing challenge for the Town. While there is a need to
develop new parks in western Cary which is experiencing rapid growth, there is also a need to redevelop parks and
greenways across different parts of Town, particularly in Cary’s urban core. Since the Town has landbanked a number
of park sites and obtained greenway easements as part of the development review process, this will facilitate the
development of future parks and greenways.
PROTECTING AND CONNECTING HIGH VALUE OPEN SPACES
Many ecologically diverse and environmentally sensitive areas still exist in Town that are not currently protected.
Opportunities exist to protect and connect these areas to maintain their ecological value and to provide active
stewardship and management of these areas as the community evolves over time.
GREENWAY CONNECTIVITY
There are opportunities to connect and complete a system of trails that could serve the entire Cary community, linking
parks, open space, schools, and other public facilities to residential, commercial, and employment areas. Ensuring
that greenways are well maintained, and that the user experience is safe and seamless across the entire greenway
network will be a challenge for future greenway planning.
29
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
Water
SUFFICIENT WATER RESOURCES
Cary’s water is supplied through water allocations from
Jordan Lake, which is a federal multipurpose reservoir
operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and owned by
the State of North Carolina who controls the allocations.
The Town jointly owns, but solely operates, the Cary/Apex
Water Treatment Facility, located in Apex (Cary owns 77%
and Apex owns 23% of the facility). The facility serves
200,000 people in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, RTP South, and
RDU Airport. Cary’s service area includes over 160,000
people, 97% of which are in Wake County. Cary has over
62,000 potable water connections and water use is divided
roughly 70%/30% between residential and commercial use.
INCREASING WATER DEMAND AND FACILITIES
The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility currently has a
maximum day capacity of 40 MGD (million gallons per day).
Current peak day demand is 29 MGD, but projections show
an expansion is necessary to meet future needs through 2032
(see chart to the right). Design and permitting for the
expansion of the facility to 56 MGD are currently underway,
with the expansion anticipated to be complete by 2017.
The Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility serves
more than 200,000 customers.
IMPROVING WATER EFFICIENCY AND
CONSERVATION
Cary has experienced a gradual decline
in water use since 1996 when the Town
initiated a water conservation program,
both actual and weather-adjusted. To
date, the average yearly residential
water use has declined 26%, from 75 to
57 gallons per capita per day. While the
two recent droughts, in 2002 and 2007,
had a significant impact, Cary has also
developed a “culture of conservation”
that influences customers’ water use.
This is in part evidenced by the new
water meters recently installed by the
Town, which wirelessly relay water use
information to a central utility data
center. This allows customers to track
their water use and receive warnings
when monthly water use exceeds a
certain amount through the online
Aquastar Web Portal.
Maximum Day Treated Water Demand Forecast for the
Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility shows adequate capacity through 2032.
INCREASING SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE
Cary’s sewer system collects 5 billion gallons of waste
annually, through 890 miles of sewer lines and force mains.
The Town owns and operates two wastewater treatment
facilities, one in each of two Neuse River drainage basins: the
12 MGD North Cary Water Reclamation Facility and the 12.8
MGD South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (WRF). To serve
new development, a new 18-MGD Western Wake Facility is
being designed in Western Wake County to serve areas of
Cary, Apex, and Morrisville.
Projections show there is sufficient total wastewater
treatment capacity through 2060, assuming wastewater
strengths do not change significantly over time. Considered
as a whole, the total required wastewater treatment capacity
in 2060 is projected to be 44.5 MGD and the theoretically
Cary is the first community in the State to offer
available capacity is 46.4 MGD, leaving 1.9 MGD of excess
reclaimed water to residents and businesses.
capacity (96 percent utilization). However, the North Cary WRF
capacity will begin to be exceeded by 2030 and by 2060 it will have a
capacity deficit of 2.5 MGD. Therefore, while overall capacity in the Town is
sufficient, long-term planning will be needed to address the capacity gap at
the North Cary WRF.
INTRODUCTION OF RECLAIMED WATER
The Town of Cary is the first in the State to offer reclaimed water
(i.e., treated wastewater) to residents and commercial
businesses for uses such as irrigation, power washing, vehicle
washing, street sweeping, industrial uses, manufacturing uses,
and dust control at construction sites. Currently the Town has
24 miles of reclaimed water lines, with 715 connections. In 2014,
the system will extend to serve the Thomas Brooks Park (site of
the USA Baseball national training center).
Town of Cary Water Demand by Land Use Type
Single Family Residential Uses
218 gpd/unit
Multi-family Residential Uses
116 gpd/unit
Institutional Uses
214 gpd/acre
Commercial Uses
1,142 gpd/acre
Industrial Uses
376 gpd/acre
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
To address watershed protection, including the protection of streams and
wetlands in Cary, the Town has adopted a Stormwater Management Plan
and numerous ordinances and standards. The Town remains committed to
minimizing and mitigating impacts from stormwater runoff impacts by
requiring new developments to incorporate stormwater best management
practices. The Town maintains stormwater infrastructure within the public
right-of-way and on Town-owned property. A recent review of the Town’s
policies show that Cary is meeting or exceeding its regulatory requirements
with less staff and funding than many other municipalities.
SOURCES
Town of Cary Public Works Utilities Staff
Town of Cary – Long Range Water
Resources Plan, Stormwater
Management Plan, and Reclaimed Water
Distribution System Master Plan
31
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
COORDINATED LAND USE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
As mentioned above, Cary will need additional water supply by 2035, and the greater Triangle region will need a new
water source in the 2050-2060 time frame. A continued increase in coordination between neighboring communities
presents opportunities for resource and facility optimization, along with the challenges of managing more complex
partnerships.
AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
Just as housing and commercial developments are aging in Cary, so is the infrastructure network that services them.
For instance, the Town has over 1,500,000 linear feet of storm drain pipe in the Public Right of Way that was installed
between 1835 and 2012. Maintaining this aging stormwater infrastructure will require additional resources as the years
go by.
PREDICTING AND MANAGING WATER USE
Predicting future needs remains an ongoing challenge for the Town, with variables such as the community’s vision for
water resource management, customers’ choices regarding water use (especially irrigation), and the increasing
efficiency of water-using appliances and fixtures all effecting water management and supply.
ADDRESSING FLOOD PRONE STRUCTURES
Future policies and programs will need to stay ahead of flood prone structures. While the Town does not allow new
development in the flood plain, many existing single-family homes are located in flood plain areas, posing health and
safety risks for residents.
INCREASING SERVICE COSTS
While water conservation measures reduce water supply capacity needs, the cost to provide these services likely will
increase over time. Overall, these costs can be reduced through conservation measures but may still result in
increasing costs to the consumer.
STRATEGIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Strategic resource management is possible with the integration of community planning, water resources management,
utility planning, and development. For example, stormwater models of each watershed can be used to determine the
current condition of the watershed, evaluate the impacts of proposed developments, and identify opportunities for
integrated rainwater capture, water reuse, and water quality management.
33
Waste
CURRENT TRENDS
ADEQUATE SOLID WASTE FACILITIES
The Solid Waste Division of the Town of Cary, which is part
of the Town’s Public Works and Utilities Department,
oversees three waste programs for the Town of Cary—solid
waste, recycling, and yard waste. The division provides
service to over 35,700 single family homes, 8,800 multifamily residences, and 526 small businesses. The Town
collects and manages over 61,000 tons of material annually
from these three programs.
Along with weekly solid waste and yard collections, and biweekly recycling collections, the Town also provides
special curbside collections for electronics, used cooking
oil, appliances, bulky waste, used motor oil and filters,
dead animals, and extra cardboard. The Town also
operates the Citizen’s Convenience Center; a staffed dropoff center (open 362 days a year) that accepts yard waste,
residential bagged and bulky waste, appliances,
recyclables, computers and electronics.
Cary provides efficient solid waste service utilizing automated
garbage trucks that maximize staff time and safety.
Cary disposes its solid waste at the South Wake County Landfill, and has a 25
year agreement (signed in 2008) with the County to accept the waste. Cary’s
yard waste is composted by McGill Environmental at their facility in
Chatham County, and the recyclables are processed by Recycle America at
their Material Recovery Facility in Raleigh. The Town is paid market value for
the recyclable material, with a base floor price of $18 a ton.
Percent Diverted from Landfill
IN 2008, CARY COLLECTED 700 TONS
OF RECYCLED MATERIAL A MONTH;
IN 2012, THAT NUMBER INCREASED TO
900 TONS A MONTH
INCREASED COLLECTION OF RECYCL ED MATERIALS
The community has a strong commitment to recycling. By replacing the 18
gallon recycling bins with either a 65 or 95 gallon recycling cart in 2009, the
Town made it more convenient for its customers to recycle. In 2012 the
Town expanded the types of materials it collects to include lids, shredded
paper, metal pots and pans, and paperboard egg carton/cup trays. With the
increased cart capacity and additional materials, the Town has increased
from 8,467 tons of recyclables collected in 2008 to 10,811 tons in 2012.
Amount of waste diverted from
the landfill through recycling has been
on an upward trend since 2006.
SOURCES
Town of Cary Solid Waste Staff
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
INCREASING WASTE REDUCTION EFFORTS
Annually, the Town hosts several special events that emphasize waste
reduction, recycling, and proper disposal. These events include the
Compost Giveaway, where citizens can receive free compost (created
from the yard waste collected by the Town); Household Hazardous Waste
Collection Day, a partnership with Wake County where citizens bring
household hazardous waste and electronics for proper disposal and
recycling; and the America Recycles Day Paper Shred, which offers citizens
free on-site secure shredding of sensitive documents. In 2012, the Town
piloted a compost program at the Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival to
expand its waste reduction efforts
Tons per Person per Year
Amount of waste collected From Cary
residents has been declining since 2006.
MEETING FUTURE DEMAND
As the Town’s population increases, challenges and opportunities will continue to arise regarding the Town’s ability to
meet new service demands while still maintaining a cost effective program. Innovative ways to reduce solid waste and
to improve efficiency in collection practices will be essential to the program.
35
Air
CURRENT TRENDS
IMPROVING AIR QUALITY
Ground level ozone is North Carolina's most widespread air
quality problem, particularly during the warmer months.
Ground level ozone can be unhealthy to breathe –
particularly for children, the elderly, people with respiratory
problems or heart disease, and even healthy adults who
work or exercise outdoors. It also can damage trees and
crops.
To monitor ground level ozone and other
pollutants, Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970,
which divided the states up into regions and established
standards for six air pollutants. Cary is part of the RaleighDurham-Chapel Hill area. Each area is tasked with meeting
the standard set for each of the pollutants. Areas that meet
the standard are called “attainment areas,” while areas that
do not are called “non-attainment areas.”
Improving air quality in the Triangle Region is largely
dependent upon improvements to our regional transportation
system to reduce vehicle emissions and ground level ozone.
Among other requirements, when an area is designated nonattainment, the EPA requires transportation conformity,
which means that local governments must demonstrate that planned road infrastructure expansion (new roads, road
widening, etc.) will not result in vehicle nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions that produce ground level ozone over the
allowable level. If this cannot be shown, the area loses federal highway construction funds. Conformity applies to
transportation plans, transportation improvement programs, and projects funded or approved by the Federal Highway
Administration or the Federal Transit Administration. New industries wishing to locate in non-attainment areas or
existing industries planning to expand often need to add more expensive control equipment, which can hamper
industrial growth.
MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE AND ATTAINMENT STATUS
Ten years ago, the Triangle was considered a
“nonattainment area” for ground level ozone, but in 2007
the Triangle was redesignated from a “non-attainment” to
a “maintenance” area for ground level ozone pollution.
It is anticipated that the EPA will raise the current ozone
standard in July 2013, to levels that will again make the
Triangle a nonattainment area. For this reason, efforts to
lower regional ground level ozone levels are critical for the
Town to maintain its ability to obtain federal transportation
funding in the coming decades. The Triangle is considered
to be NOx-limited, meaning that reducing NOx emissions is
believed to be the most effective way to reduce ground
level ozone levels. In our region the largest source of NOx is
from on-road transportation, cars, and trucks. Other
sources of NOx come from combustion from power plants,
industries, and equipment.
Cary lies in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area for
measuring federal air quality attainment standards.
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
IMPROVING EMISSION EFFORTS
Although technological improvements, such as vehicles with higher miles
per gallon rates, will reduce NOx emissions, other efforts are also needed. As
such, Cary has been working with other local government agencies on
initiatives to reduce the amount of vehicle emissions in the area. One effort
is the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition, which is comprised of local and state
government agencies, private companies, non-profit organizations, and
interested individuals who are dedicated to accelerating the use of
alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies in the Triangle
region. The Town also participates in the Triangle Air Quality Partnership,
which is a partnership to accelerate the use of alternative transportation
fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol, natural gas, propane, and electricity.
SOURCES
Triangle Air Quality Partnership
NCDENR Division of Air Quality
Town of Cary Sustainability Staff
AVOIDING NON-ATTAINMENT STATUS
Coordinating land use decisions and transportation planning will be critical as part of the Town’s effort to reduce the
number of vehicle miles traveled by Cary residents. Strategies to help reduce the number of NOx emissions are
necessary to ensure the Town continues to be eligible for public transportation funding.
37
Energy
CURRENT TRENDS
FOCUS ON TOWN ENERGY USE
Total Energy Use
Duke Energy Progress Inc. provides electric service for Cary
residents while PSNC Energy supplies residents with natural
gas. In 2011, the Town conducted an inventory of energy use
for Town facilities. The inventory tallied all energy, costs, and
emissions associated with Town buildings, vehicles,
equipment, and streetlights. The study found that the Town
spent just over $8.3 million on energy costs in 2010.
Specifically, the Town utilized:
67,759,011 kWh of electricity
543,667 therms of natural gas
23,506 gallons of propane
693,421 gallons of fleet fuel
The Town is working on several grant-funded initiatives, like
energy efficiency retrofits in buildings, LED street lights, highefficiency ball field lighting, and hybrid vehicles that will
inform its approach toward achieving energy reduction goals.
This graph illustrates total energy use by sector for
Town-owned properties and vehicle fleets.
DECREASING ENERGY USAGE
In a concerted effort to reduce energy usage and costs, the Town adopted a
Strategic Energy Action Plan in 2012. The Plan establishes an energy
reduction goal with associated strategies to actively improve energy
practices in order to lower costs and reduce emissions that contribute to
environmental pollution. The Plan’s overall energy reduction goal is a 13%
reduction in energy use from the projected “Business as Usual” energy use
estimate by 2020. If achieved, this would result in a reduction of 7,000 metric
tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. In order to achieve the overall reduction
goal, the Town is looking to make the following reductions in these specific
areas:
Types and Cost of Town Energy Usage
Electricity
Natural Gas
Propane
Fleet Fuel
TOTAL:
$6,555,339
$433,387
$72,525
$1,254,149
$8,315,400
Fleet—Increase average miles per gallon for town fleet by 20% and
reduce miles driven by 5% for an anticipated savings of $470,000.
Buildings—30% reduction in energy use for an anticipated savings of
$846,000.
Water & Wastewater—3% reduction in energy use across these two
categories for an anticipated savings of $267,000.
ANTICIPATED SAVINGS FROM TOWN
ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES:
$1,583,000 PER YEAR.
The Town of Cary has initiated an effort to
reduce energy use of Town facilities
and vehicle fleets.
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
INCREASING ENERGY OPTIONS
The Town has been increasing the number of solar generation facilities, both
public and privately owned. In 2007, the Town began exploring the idea of
installing renewable energy generation equipment at various locations on
Town properties. This exploration led to a public-private partnership
between the Town and FLS Energy. The first installation from this
partnership, completed in December of 2012, was a 1.8 MW system installed
on 8 acres of unused land at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility. The
Town receives rental revenue on this land yearly, does not have to maintain
the land, and by providing the land for the solar development helps FLS
Energy to generate enough power to run over 172 homes. The Town has the
option to work with FLS Energy to evaluate future similar projects.
The Town is also installing its first town-owned solar installation and solar
thermal hot water heater through the construction of Fire Station #8. This is
the Town's first “green-built” project and will serve as a pilot for other
potential initiatives; it includes sustainable features like:
The solar farm, located at the Town’s South
Cary Water Reclamation Facility, has the
capacity to generate 1.89 megawatts of
electricity, or enough energy to power nearly
200 homes.
Solar assist hot water heating
Photovoltaic panels on the roof to collect and store energy from the
sun
Plumbing designed to tie into the Town's reclaimed water system
Finally, in August of 2012 the Town began a two-year electric vehicle (EV)
charging station pilot project, to evaluate three kinds of charging stations
put in place for public use. The pilot is intended to evaluate the ease of use
for the charging station user, ease of use by the Town in tracking and
administrating, durability, and reliability. The hope is that, at the end of the
pilot, the Town will have sufficient information to decide if this is a service
that citizens and Council want or need at Town-owned locations.
Shown here is one of three different types of
EV charging stations installed in Cary. Five
charging stations have been installed in the
Town to date.
SOURCES
Town of Cary Sustainability Staff
Town of Cary Strategy Energy Action Plan
PUBLIC ENERGY REDUCTION GOALS
Meeting the Town’s energy reduction goals will be a focus over the next decade to cut down on energy costs, while
continuing to meet the community’s needs. The provision of training and resources to assist Town staff in using and
evaluating various energy-saving technologies and the exploration of other cost effective, renewable energy
alternatives will be important for reaching this goal.
ADVANCING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IN CARY
Opportunities exist to encourage and promote energy efficiency in the development of private homes and businesses.
The extent to which energy efficiency efforts expand beyond the Town’s Strategic Energy Plan goals is contingent upon
the support of the community.
Built Environment & Mobility
39
Development
CURRENT TRENDS
PREDOMINANT LAND USE IS RESIDENTIAL
Cary has a history of growth that has rapidly changed the
Town’s boundaries and environment over the last several
decades. The Town can be described as a suburban
community offering a mix of high quality master planned
communities, business parks, and retail centers. Land in
the Town’s planning area is broken down into the following
categories:
Single Family Detached and Attached Residential: 38%
Other residential categories: 3%
Vacant and Agricultural: 22%
The Cary we know today is a reflection of decades of purposeful
Greenspaces (including publicly owned parks and
planning that has resulted in quality development and
open spaces and private greenspaces, such as property
a unique sense of place.
owned by Homeowners Associations): 9%
Public and QuasiPublic (including
uses such as public
institutions, religious
facilities, utility
providers, etc.): 8%
Commercial and
Industrial: 5%
Office: 3%
The Existing Land Use
map located in the
Appendix illustrates the
geographic distribution of
land uses in the planning
area.
Existing Land Use
(Parcels within the Land Use Plan
Boundary)
Acres
Residential: Single Family Detached
Vacant
Greenspace (Public & Private)
Public/Quasi-Public
Agriculture
Commercial
Office
Residential: Multi-Family
Residential: Single Family Attached
Residential: Manufactured Home
Industrial
Right of Way
Total
19,429.1
8,114.6
4,511.8
4,415.4
3,492.0
2,351.5
1,743.9
1,426.0
446.9
237.9
230.8
6,339.9
52,740
LIMITED SUPPLY OF LAND AVALIABLE FOR FUTURE GROWTH
Land in the Cary planning area that can be developed is limited. As of January 2012, the Cary land planning area had
35,549 acres of land that could be considered developed or committed (77% of total land planning area), 999 acres of
development in the pipeline (2% of total land planning area), and 9,766 acres of undeveloped land (21% of total land
planning area). For the Town of Cary, the amount of land developed or committed was equal to approximately 89% of
land in the Town, and the land available for development was equal to approximately 11% of the land in Cary. The
Potential Development Areas Map located in the Appendix illustrates the locations of these areas.
40
SNAPSHOT REPORT
One measure used to understand the
potential for development in the future is a
buildout analysis. While it is unlikely that
every parcel in the land planning area will
be developed, it is a useful analysis for
understanding the extent of development
potential.
Based on the current land use plan and
other studies, the Town has capacity for an
estimated 91,810 residential dwelling units
and 232,094 people. Full buildout of the
land planning area was estimated to add
22,209 single-family dwelling units and
11,053 multi-family dwelling units that
could accommodate approximately 82,890
additional people.
Residential Development
Single
Family
Units
Multi
Family
Units
Total
Units
Total
Estimated
Population*
Currently Developed
44,174
14,329
58,503
149,204
In the Planning/ Entitlement Process
3,495
2,983
6,481
15,545
Development Potential of All
Remaining Land (not in process)
18,714
8,115
26,829
67,345
Potential Full Buildout
66,383
25,427
91,810
232,094
*Pertains to the entire Planning Area, including county subdivisions
Nonresidential
Floor Space
Currently Developed
Square Feet (Millions)
Office
Institutional
Commercial
Industrial
Total
1.24
7.1
9.6
6.9
36.1
0.1
0.5
0.1
2.2
2.6
4.2
1.3
19.1
9.8
14.3
8.3
57.5
In the Planning/
Entitlement Process
Development
Potential of All
Remaining Land
(not in process)
1.4
In addition to capacity for additional
residential development, the current Land
Use Plan allocates some areas to future
11.1
nonresidential development. Full buildout
of the land plan could mean an additional
25.0
12.5 million square feet of office space, 2.7 Potential Full Buildout
*Pertains
to
the
entire
Planning
Area
million square feet of institutional space,
4.7 million square feet of commercial
space, and 1.4 million square feet of industrial space. To put in perspective,
the average grocery store is approximately 50,000-75,000 square feet.
Combined with existing development, the Town has capacity for
approximately 57.5 million square feet of nonresidential space based on the
current land use plan.
While these buildout estimates illustrate that the Town has capacity for new
growth and development, in practice, development on greenfield (i.e.,
undeveloped) sites is likely to rapidly diminish after about 50% of the remaining
land is consumed. This is due to site constraints, the real estate market,
willingness of landowners to develop, and other factors. At current rates of land
consumption, it is expected that greenfield residential growth will diminish
drastically in about 10 to 12 years and greenfield nonresidential growth will
diminish in approximately 20 to 24 years, or less, depending on residential
growth and land consumption.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INFILL DEVELOPMENT AND
REDEVELOPMENT
As new development on greenfield sites slows, infill development and
redevelopment will likely increase, especially as buildings age and reach the end
of their useful life cycle. Typical timelines for redevelopment, renewal, and
enhancements of different types of real estate are as follows:
Retail structures are typically rebuilt every 10-20 years
Class B & C offices are typically rebuilt every 15-30 years
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS UNDER REVIEW OR
RECENTLY APPROVED
Residential
Collins Grove Townhomes
The Franklin Apartments
Glencroft Townhomes
Holland Farm Subdivision
Peninsula at Amberly
Phillips Place Townhomes
Southerlyn Subdivision
Tryon Place at Cary Parkway
Nonresidential
Cary High School Expansion
Searstone Medical Office Building
Village Square Shopping Center
SAS Campus
Mixed Use
Parkside Town Commons
Phillips Chatham Pointe
Class A offices are typically renewed every 20-40 years
Multi-family residential is typically renewed every 20-40 years
Single-family residential homes are typically upgraded every 25-50
years
AGING BUILT ENVIRONM ENT
Today, the Town has approximately 3,579 single-family units and 454 multifamily units that are more than 40 years old—these units may be candidates
for reinvestment and renewal. In 30 years, this is expected to jump to 18,261
single-family units and 4,388 multi-family units that are more than 40 years
old, meaning that a significant portion of the Town’s housing stock will be
aging and in need of reinvestment. Likewise, today Cary has approximately
8.2 million square feet of nonresidential space that is more than 25 years old
(including 2.5 million square feet of retail and 9 shopping centers), and in 30
years that will jump to approximately 37.2 million square feet of
nonresidential space (including 11.2 million square feet of retail and 30
shopping centers). These trends indicate that the community’s structures
are aging and reinvestment and redevelopment will become increasingly
important to maintain their quality.
SOURCES
Town of Cary GIS Data, 2013; and
Town of Cary Planning Department
ADAPTING LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
As land supply to support future growth becomes more limited, developers will start to look for opportunities to
accommodate new development on infill sites, and may need to place more emphasis on redevelopment and/or
intensification of underutilized areas.
Moreover, as the Town’s demographics change, it may be necessary to plan new development and redevelopment to
better accommodate and support aging and smaller households. This may mean more options for different housing
types, low-maintenance communities, housing in closer proximity to services, and increased options for different
modes of transportation.
RETAINING AREAS FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL USES
Because Cary is a desirable place to live, pressure for housing development is outpacing non-residential demand. In
order to retain areas for future non-residential development to support neighborhoods and provide employment
opportunities for residents, it may be important to monitor and address the conversion of areas slated for nonresidential uses to residential uses.
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
While plans for future commuter rail service in the Triangle Region are not fully in place, regional planning efforts have
identified a rail system that includes three transit stations located in Cary within the Maynard Loop. How land is
developed around these potential transit station sites will have a direct impact on the success of the rail service in Cary
and the region, and the potential for increasing economic development opportunities around station sites.
FUTURE OFFICE/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL
As business models change and employment centers evolve to succeed in our 21st century environment, it may be likely
that land planning models for business development will have to change. Cary’s history of producing high quality
office and business parks may not be the sole model for future business development. This will be determined by
target industries being recruited to the area, and their real estate preferences. The Town could monitor market
changes and identify balanced approaches to meeting land planning and economic development goals.
41
42
SNAPSHOT REPORT
Transportation
CURRENT TRENDS
GOOD ROADWAY SYSTEM WITH PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENTS
ROAD PLANNING IS A REGIONAL ISSUE
Cary is in a very transportation rich location within the
larger Triangle region. With I-40 to the east and north, US 1
/ US 64 to the south, and now NC-540 to the west, Cary has
access to a lot of the important regional highways.
For transportation planning purposes, Cary is part of the
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO),
which handles long-range transportation planning for
Wake County and parts of Johnston, Harnett, Granville,
and Franklin Counties.
The current long-range
transportation plan for the Capital Area is the 2040
Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), which guides the
vision and infrastructure investment decisions for the
region. The 2040 MTP was prepared along with the
Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning
Organization (DCHC MPO), which includes Durham,
Orange, and parts of Chatham Counties. The 2040 MTP
includes improvements and new roads in the Triangle
region, including Cary. The MTP improvements in Cary are
shown in the adjacent map (also provided in the
Appendix).
LIMITED ROAD CONGESTION
The Town of Cary has made significant investments in
quality roadways in the past and the positive results can
be seen today. In 2010, Cary had 243 centerline miles of
roadways, and most of the major roadways in Cary were
uncongested during the afternoon peak travel time; only
18 lane-miles (3% of the total) were experiencing
congestion in 2010.
PROJECTED INCREASES IN CONGESTION
Type of Facility
Centerline Miles
Lane Miles
Congested Lane Miles
Hours of Delay
2010
2040
243
716
18 (3%)
8,458
280
971
88 (9%)
25,629
The regional travel demand model (TRM) is used to
estimate future (2040) conditions on roadways in Cary and
the surrounding Triangle area. This model includes planned transportation projects (including road, transit, and
regional rail improvements), as well as expected changes in population and employment. The TRM has 280 centerline
miles of roadway in 2040 for Cary. According to TRM estimates, many segments of the regional freeway system in Cary
will be at or over capacity in 2040; however, traffic projections for the roadway network across Town show most
facilities operating under or just reaching capacity, much better than most areas in the Triangle region. In 2040, 88
lane-miles of roadway in Cary (9% of the total) are estimated to experience congestion either in the morning or
afternoon peak hour. The chart on the next page shows the TRM’s projected growth in households, population, and
employment in Cary between 2010 and 2040. The chart also shows hours of delay on roadways, which is projected to
increase more than households, population, and employment as a percentage of 2010 levels.
MORE COMMUTERS COMING TO CARY THAN LEAVING CARY
2010 and 2040 Comparison of Growth in Households (HH),
Population (Pop), Employment (Emp),
and Travel Delays in Cary and Adjacent Areas
Cary sees more commuters come into the Town everyday than leave the Town to commute to other locations.
Additionally, about 18% of Cary residents work at various locations in Cary. Most of the commuters leaving Cary head
east, many to Raleigh, but about 16% of Cary residents commute to Durham or Chapel Hill; 48% of the commuters into
Cary come from unincorporated areas and cities not named specifically on the map. On the journey-to-work flow map,
blue lines indicate where Cary residents go to work, and red lines indicate where Cary workers are coming from. The
data come from the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics dataset, which is a US Census product for work
location data. The maps below show which destinations are reachable in five minute bands for a trip starting in
downtown Cary in 2010 and in 2040 based on TRM data.
2010 PM Peak Hour Travel Time Contours
2040 PM Peak Hour Travel Time Contours
*Color represents five minute travel time bands from downtown Cary
43
44
SNAPSHOT REPORT
AWARD-WINNING BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
The Town of Cary is a recognized leader in pedestrian
and bicycle planning and facilities. The Town has been
awarded bronze-level distinction as both a BicycleFriendly Community and a Walk-Friendly Community,
making it one of only three North Carolina communities
to receive both national designations. The map shown to
the right and included in the Appendix identifies existing
bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the planning area.
Based on a popular web service, Walkscore, Cary overall
has an average score of 38 out of 100. Walkscore
measures whether services, destinations, and residences
are within walkable distance to each other. The low
walkscore for the Town indicates that even though the
Town has made significant efforts to develop pedestrian
facilities, destinations are spread out and residents have
to commit significantly more time and effort to walk to
destinations rather than drive.
Type of Facility
Sidewalks
Greenways
Bicycle Lanes
Sharrows
Wide Outside Lanes
Existing Miles
400
70
20
5
40
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are located throughout
the Cary land planning area, as illustrated here.
See the full size map in the Appendix for more detail.
POLICIES SUPPORT WALKING AND BIKING
The Town also has policies and programs in place to support walking and bicycling, including:
Complete streets policy
Bike parking ordinance
Education programs (staff training, general classes, PSAs, newsletters)
Encouragement and enforcement programs
Bicycle & Hike Map with Bicycle Rider’s Guide
Connectivity ordinance
Sidewalk request program with construction funding ($500K to $1 million annually)
WALKING AND BIKING USED MORE FOR RECREATION THAN COMMUTING
Cary’s pedestrian and bicycling facilities are used more for recreation than daily commuting. According to American
Community Survey estimates, 1.34% of Cary residents walk to work and 0.28% bike to work.
EXTENSIVE GREENWAY NETWORK
The Town has an extensive greenway network of 70 miles, placing the town third in North Carolina behind only Raleigh
and Charlotte in total greenway mileage. Additionally, Cary residents consistently place greenways as one of the most
important Town infrastructure investments. The greenways in Cary attract an estimated 1.1 million users on weekends
annually.
HIGH QUALITY TRANSIT SERVICE
C-Tran is the main transit service in
Cary, but Triangle Transit also operates
three routes in Cary. Triangle Transit is
the regional transit provider for the
Triangle and operates service that
connects major cities in the area.
Triangle Transit operates regular
service throughout the day in many
locations and express service during
morning and evening commutes that
connects major destinations. C-Tran
connects to Triangle Transit routes and
to Raleigh’s Capital Area Transit (CAT)
routes. C-Tran operates six fixed-routes
with service Monday through Saturday,
6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Most routes have a
30-minute frequency at peak times, and
all routes have a 60-minute frequency
at off-peak times. Fare for a one-way
fixed-route trip is $1.
DEMAND-RESPONSIVE SERVICE
C-Tran also operates demandresponsive service for seniors and
C-Tran offers six fixed routes in Cary.
individuals with mobility limitations
requiring curb-to-curb service. Demand-responsive services provide access to in-town destinations, and the
surrounding communities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, and Apex. Fares vary between $1 and $6
depending on time and destination. Ridership has been slowly increasing for the demand-responsive service.
INCREASING RIDERSHIP SATISFACTION
Ridership has grown an average of 25 to 40%
annually since the introduction of fixed-route
service in 2006, and the fixed-route system
provided nearly 250,000 trips in 2012. The
highest ridership is on Route 6, which
provides service to Raleigh. The second
highest ridership is on Route 5, which
provides service south to Crescent
Commons. Over this time period cost per
rider has been consistently decreasing as
well. Based on rider survey responses, rider
satisfaction is very high.
Recent
improvements include the completion of
electronic
farebox
installation
and
automated passenger counters, and the full
implementation of real-time bus arrival
information, completed in April 2013.
45
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SNAPSHOT REPORT
ONGOING REGIONAL TRANSIT PLANNING INITIATIVE
The Triangle region is currently considering regional rail projects and an expansion of bus transit services. These
projects are envisioned to be partially funded by a ½-cent sales tax that each of the three major counties in the Triangle
must approve. Durham and Orange Counties have both approved similar sales tax increases, but Wake County has not
held a vote on the tax. The regional transit initiative involves a doubling in local bus services and new regional
commuter and light rail projects to connect the region’s cities.
One element of the rail initiative is envisioned to be commuter rail service that has high-capacity passenger trains
operate express service between major destinations during the morning and afternoon commutes. The second
element of the rail initiative will be two light-rail systems (LRT) in the Triangle connecting Raleigh, Cary, and Morrisville;
the other Durham and Chapel Hill. The first phase would be limited to Cary to Raleigh only. LRT service would be highcapacity, high-frequency throughout the day. The Town of Cary would have three light-rail stops within Town
boundaries, including a stop in downtown, with one on the border with Morrisville.
DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES
The changing demographics of Cary have the potential to shift transportation preferences and choices. An increasingly
diverse and aging population will likely have different personal mobility needs. Transit service, especially demandresponsive service, can help seniors “age in place.” Additionally, younger people nationally may be exhibiting different
transportation preferences than previous generations – more desire for transit, walkability, and bikeability, and less
reliance on automobile use.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND FISCAL CHALLENGES
Coupled with the changing preferences of younger and older users are external economic and environmental factors
that may change transportation in the future. One element of this is the increasing cost of infrastructure, especially
retrofits, and factors like rising energy costs and gas prices. These increasing costs are met with constrained budgets
for infrastructure investment. A range of strategies may be considered to help reduce future environmental and fiscal
costs, including more efficient use of existing infrastructure; promoting multimodal options and connections; working
with employers on Transportation Demand Management (TDM) techniques, and enhancing the use of technology for
mobility choices and options.
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
A future change in transportation will be shifting from development and building of infrastructure to system
management and maintenance. As the transportation network continues to become more complete, there are
diminishing returns for new construction costs for delayed maintenance; transportation funds may be better spent
managing use of existing facilities more efficiently rather than construction of new facilities in some cases.
REGIONAL CHANGES
Projected future travel demands on roadways are anticipated to exceed available capacity in the Triangle region and in
critical areas in the Town. Hours of traffic-related delay in Cary are expected to triple. Additionally, regional light-rail
and commuter rail initiatives may present significant opportunities for Cary residents, but also pose new challenges.
The delay in Wake County voting for the sales tax is a challenge for transit because the expected revenue from the sales
tax would fund regional rail and also a doubling of bus service. How Cary responds to the changing regional
transportation environment may help determine its future success.
BALANCING THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT USERS
Multimodal options involve tradeoffs between different options that benefit different types of users. For example, at
intersections, the needs and desires of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists may not align. Balancing the system to
ensure functionality for all users requires choices. Continuing to build out pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is
important to create a full network, but this will need to be balanced with the needs of motorists.
SOURCES
Town of Cary Planning and Engineering Departments
American Community Survey
Travel Demand Model – CAMPO
Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics Model – US Census
Walkscore.com
47
48
SNAPSHOT REPORT
Appendix of Maps
Base Map – Cary Land Planning Area
Existing Land Use Map
Development Status Map
Composite Transportation System Map
Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
CAMPO 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Projects in Cary (Draft)

snapshot report

Transcription

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