Cary seeks input on future growth plan

Cary village leaders are seeking residents' input on future growth.

The second of two communitywide workshops is planned for 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Cary Park District Community Center, 255 Briargate Road.

The current 22-year-old comprehensive plan is outdated and officials are soliciting a new vision from the village's 18,000 residents.

“It's the framework for future growth and development in our community for the next 20 years,” said Christopher Stilling, the village's community and economic development director.

In November, the village established a steering committee of local representatives and hired Chicago-based firm Houseal Lavigne Associates, specializing in community planning, urban design and economic development, to update the comprehensive plan. The first communitywide workshop surveying business owners and residents was held in December.

Stilling said the comprehensive plan would focus on four key areas, including finding ways to promote the village's already strong industrial manufacturing base. Cary has more than 3 million square feet of existing industrial businesses.

The village also has more than 100 acres of undeveloped land scattered throughout town, including two vacant properties totaling roughly 40 acres at the eastern entrance to the village on either side of Route 14, just west of the Fox River.

Residents also can weigh in on what types of future development should occur along the village's downtown retail corridor near Three Oaks Road and Route 14.

“We have another 40 acres of undeveloped land near the intersection, west of Route 14 on Three Oaks Road,” Stilling said.

There are also opportunities for future residential growth.

“A lot of that growth may occur in the form of redevelopment,” Stilling said.

During the Feb. 19 workshop, participants will be split into smaller groups to talk about the future needs of the village, including issues related to traffic, stormwater and public facilities.

“We're sort of just beginning to look at our overall facility needs,” Stilling said. “We completed a facility study recently. How much of that plays into the comprehensive plan is yet to be determined.”

The study identified future expenditures to maintain existing facilities.

For more information, visit the comprehensive plan project website, hlplanning.com/portals/cary/.