Local / North Carolina
Cary council approves mixed-use development amid traffic concerns
The town council voted 5-2 to rezone and approve a 156-unit apartment building on White Deer Park Road after two hours of public objections.
Cary’s town council voted Monday night to approve a mixed-use development on White Deer Park Road after two hours of heated public comment, approving a 156-unit apartment complex with street-level retail on a 3.2-acre parcel rezoned from industrial to mixed-use. The vote passed 5–2, with council members Jennifer Liu and Robert Garrison voting no.
The Northpoint Development proposal has drawn fire from neighbors who say the four-story building will increase traffic on an already congested corridor. “This area is already at capacity,” said Rachel Kim, a resident of the adjacent Sunset Ridge neighborhood. “We weren’t heard. The city is choosing developer profits over our quality of life.” The developer will contribute $420,000 to the town’s affordable housing fund and dedicate 12 units to affordable rentals, below the 20 percent threshold some council members had sought.
Rezoning Fight and Council Division
The rezoning request centered on whether the site’s industrial designation remained viable given changing market conditions. The parcel had been vacant for 18 months since a warehouse operator relocated to Durham. Council member Lisa Chen, who voted for the project, called it “a chance to activate underused land and add housing to a community with a shortage.” Opponents countered that industrial zoning should be preserved for light manufacturing and warehousing jobs.
Garrison, who represents the district, expressed frustration with the timeline. “This process moved too fast,” he said. “We didn’t give the community adequate time to organize, and staff didn’t fully vet traffic impact.” A traffic study submitted by the developer projected a 240-vehicle daily increase on White Deer Park Road, a 6 percent rise, but offered no mitigation beyond a left-turn lane.
Other Business
The council also approved a contract with Clearwater Engineering for the North Hills stormwater system upgrade, budgeted at $2.1 million. Construction begins in September. In consent agenda items, the council renewed the town’s contract with waste management vendor Republic Services and approved formation of a parks master plan committee to guide improvements through 2030.
Council member Michael Torres raised concerns about the police department’s use of surveillance cameras in downtown districts. “We should have a clear policy on when footage is retained and who can access it,” Torres said. The council directed staff to draft guidelines by the September meeting. No vote was taken Monday. Public comment on the White Deer Park rezoning is closed, but residents may appeal to the planning board within 10 days.