This quarter, two major historic preservation projects, involving work on 12 historic buildings,
made substantial advancement. 

Nancy Jones House

 

The first project is the effort to retain National Register status prior to relocation of the Nancy Jones House. Staff submitted a relocation report to the State Historic Preservation Office, which will present the report to the North Carolina National Register Advisory Committee. The committee’s recommendation will be sent to the National Parks Service for a final decision on whether the Nancy Jones House should retain its National Register status during relocation. 

Barnabas Jones Farmstead, C.F. Ferrell Store and Warehouses, and Good Hope Farm

The second project involves multiple properties and buildings, including the Barnabas Jones Farmstead (adjacent to Jack Smith Park), the C.F. Ferrell Store and Warehouses, and Good Hope Farm. This quarter, Cary received bids for work to address initial steps toward preserving these buildings, such as structurally stabilizing and weatherizing designated structures at each site, adding temporary paths for the public, improving security measures, and installing interpretive signage to provide visitors with an understanding of the historical significance of each site. Work is anticipated to continue into 2021.

In August, the Town Council approved a rezoning and an updated development agreement for Fenton. This approval set the stage for Fenton to close the development’s construction loan on September 29. This loan provides funds for construction of the buildings on the site. At about $200 million, it was the second largest commercial construction loan for private development in the Triangle’s history, behind the Amazon distribution center in Garner.

On site, Fenton’s grading contractor prepared the site for construction by wrapping up final site grading and completing the development’s underground stormwater facilities and retaining walls in September. Fenton anticipates building construction to begin later this fall. The retail portion of the first phase of development is nearly 70% leased.

Cary issued 90 non-residential alteration and addition permits in Q1. These projects include reinvestment into existing office and commercial. The most significant projects were:

• Siemens, 209 Gregson Drive: Interior alterations for training rooms, lecture rooms, and a breakout area.
• Belk, 1105 Walnut Street: Alterations of the building facade along the west and south entrances of the existing Belk department store as part of the Carolina Yards redevelopment project. 

During Q1, there were 18 cases in the rezoning process; three cases were approved.

• A request to amend the previously approved Fenton Mixed-Use Development PDP to allow for modifications to where existing land uses could be built, increase the building height of four buildings, and other minor adjustments and clarifications.
• A request to amend the previously approved Cary Pointe Planned Development District to increase the maximum residential units from 120 to 140.
• A request from WakeMed Medical Office Park to amend the PDP to adjust transportation circulation and allow for retention of one of the existing buildings. 

Cary approved 49 development plans in Q1, an increase from 44 development plans in Q4 of FY 2020. Thirty-nine of the plans approved were for modifications and revisions to previously approved plans. Belk at Cary Towne Center received approval for revisions to the existing plan for changes to the parking lot, transportation circulation, and utility improvements associated with the Carolina Yards redevelopment project. New plans included a new 2,800-square-foot building for Fifth Third Bank at Amberly Place, and Triangle Aquatic Center was approved for a new outdoor pool with a 2,507-square-foot accessory building. A revision to the Courtyard Hotel Cary site added 1,528 square feet for changes to the pool amenity area. One new residential development project was approved this quarter for Carpenter Square Townhomes with 98 townhome lots.