During Q2, there were 30 rezoning cases. Four of those cases were approved. Three of the cases approved were for non-residential projects: 1) a hotel on North Harrison Avenue which allows two hotels with 252 rooms, 2) an expansion to the Triangle Aquatic Center, which allows an additional 100,000 square feet of building area and a new outdoor pool, and 3) a 6,000 square foot daycare at the existing Fellowship Church of Christ location. The residential project that was rezoned was Indian Wells Road, which will allow up to 49 detached dwellings or townhomes. 

During Q2, Town staff approved 26 development plans. Seventeen of these were for new development and nine were revisions to existing plans. Twelve of these new approvals were for non-residential properties. The two largest were Bee Safe Cary, a 62,402 square foot self-storage facility, and West Cary Professional Park, a 25,500 square foot, two-story medical office building. The five approved new residential plans allow for 368 lots. The Savaan Subdivision was the largest with 294 lots (154 detached residential units and 140 townhomes).

Historic Landmark Signage

This quarter has been a busy and productive one for historic preservation. In September, we celebrated the installation of plaques on three Town-owned historic landmarks. An historic streetside marker was also installed at the corner of Harrison Avenue and W. Chatham Street recognizing former Cary Mayor Robert J. Harrison. Mayor Weinbrecht made comments at a celebratory reception at the Cary Arts Center. The reception was attended by many of Harrison’s descendants.

Ivey-Ellington

Preservation efforts moved forward in September with the roof of the Ivey-Ellington house being repainted. We also received a detailed analysis of the Barnabas Jones, C.F. Ferrell and Good Hope Farm properties that will be used to guide further stabilization. This analysis was conducted as a part of the Historic Facilities Interpretation and Rehabilitation Project, which is in the final planning stage. Preservation efforts moved forward in September with the roof of the Ivey-Ellington house being repainted. We also received a detailed analysis of the Barnabas Jones, C.F. Ferrell and Good Hope Farm properties that will be used to guide further stabilization. This analysis was conducted as a part of the Historic Facilities Interpretation and Rehabilitation Project, which is in the final planning stage. 

John L. and Henri G. Sears House

Council designated the John L. and Henri G. Sears House, located at 5104 Sears Farm Road, as Cary’s eleventh Local Historic landmark. 

Historic Barns Moved

A milestone in the Carpenter Fire Station Road Realignment and Grade Separation Project was completed when two historic barns lying in the path of the road realignment were carefully dismantled. The timbers were inventoried and stored for future use in Town historic rehabilitations.

Walter Hines Page Wreath Laying Ceremony

A Wreath Laying Ceremony to Commemorate the Centenary of the Death of Walter Hines Page was held at held at Westminster Abbey in November. At the December 13 council meeting, DAR representative, Nancy Jirtle, who attended the London ceremony, provided a report on the historic event.

Page-Walker 150th Year

The Page-Walker marked its 150th anniversary (1868–2018) with a series of programs, new interpretative displays, tour brochure, and an expanded Holiday Open House in December. Special guests included members of the Page, Walker, Hunter, Coburn, Williams and Strother families, who were once affiliated with Page-Walker. All were present to hear the mayor read a proclamation declaring December 1, 2018, as “The Page-Walker at 150” day. The event, co-sponsored by the Friends of the Page-Walker, included carriage rides, Victorian carolers, folk music, craft demonstrations, costumed hosts and the unveiling of the new “The History of the Page-Walker” display in the lobby.