Plan for 280 single- and multifamily units on Cary Maplewood land advances over neighbor objections

Developers are one step closer to transforming the former Maplewood School property in Cary into a multi- and single-family residential area, despite significant resident pushback.

Called Cary Station, JM Developers plans to construct 280 for-sale and for-rent units on nearly 15 acres of land at 422 Krenz Ave.

The project calls for 13 two-story, single-family homes; 15 two-story townhouses; eight duplex homes totaling 16 units; two five-story apartment buildings; and one four-story apartment building, totaling 236 apartment units. The homes, townhouses and duplex homes are planned to be sold, and the apartment units to be rented.

Cary’s Zoning, Planning and Appeals Board gave a positive recommendation for the project in a 4-2 vote Wednesday, with interim chairman James Graziano and Frank O’Laughlin voting no.

The village board is expected to give the final vote on June 2.

Developers asked for multiple variances to the village’s code, including a decrease from 531 required parking spaces to 350. They also want to have almost 18 units per acre in density and to build nearly 9 feet taller than the maximum building height of 50 feet.

For over a year, neighboring residents have been battling the proposal with concerns over building height, density, water retention and parking. Those concerns continued during Wednesday’s planning board meeting.

Many residents said they worry that with more impervious surfaces covering the area that is currently grassy fields, more stormwater will flood the low-lying neighborhood.

“This is a flood disaster waiting to happen,” resident Tim Allen said.

The connecting retention ponds are designed to mimic existing draining patterns, engineer Brian Johnson said. The ponds will control stormwater flow and release it at a slow rate.

Developers say the limited parking spaces will be adequate because of the development’s proximity to the Metra Cary train station and are based on market-rate conditions.

The project is expected to bring in young adults and older adults looking to downsize, Michael Poulakidas of JM Developers said.

Apartments will range from studios to three bedrooms, with rough rent estimates ranging from $1,600 to $2,500 per month. Homes for sale are expected to sell in a $400,000 to $500,000 range. Rate changes are subject to inflation, Poulakidas said.

Amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, indoor and outdoor working spaces, an entertainment kitchen, a dog park and a public park.

If approved, developers aim to complete the project within two years, Poulakidas said.

In conjunction with the redevelopment of the school property, the planning stage of the adjacent Maplewood Road extension continues. The new road would be an extension of Industrial Drive, running from Cary-Algonquin Road to High Road, parallel with Route 14 and south of the railroad tracks. It aims to improve mobility to downtown Cary.

Construction of the new road could start as early as next year, according to the village website.

There is a long history behind the redevelopment efforts of the Maplewood School property, involving a contentious battle between the village and the previous property owners, Cary District 26. After the village denied the school district approval to build a new transportation center on the land, the village entered into an agreement to purchase the property for $5.5 million.

The village later sold the land to developers for $1.

District 26 is constructing a new transportation center off Georgetown Drive next to Aldi.

To help with the estimated $94 million housing project, developers will receive up to $12.35 million in tax increment financing funds, according to a development agreement.