Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
HISTORIC CARPENTER SPECIAL PLANNING AREA Vision for Carpenter The Carpenter area provides a glimpse back in me to the early thriving rural crossroads development that established the area. Historic Carpenter Crossroads, the rural crossroads that grew up around the intersec ons of Carpenter Upchurch and Carpenter Fire Sta on Roads with old Morrisville-Carpenter Road, remains as the focal point of the area, its character largely unchanged from the first half of the 20th Century. Its historic buildings are preserved and restored, and adap vely re-used to mark this as a special des na on for Caryites. A limited amount of context-sensi ve infill in and around the crossroads reinforces the historic character while adding fresh vitality, and creates a sort of village. Moving outward from the crossroads area, new development uses context-sensi ve site and architectural design to complement the historic areas. Along a widened and realigned Morrisville-Carpenter Road, historic buildings have been preserved on-site in their historic orienta on to the road, on lots of sufficient size to underpin historic context. Ample street buffers screen new development from view along the road. At the road's eastern Policy Policy Intent Policy #1: Protect Historic Properties and Places Protect and conserve historic properties and places in Carpenter associated with the National Register Historic District, as well as historic assets identified in Cary's Historic Resources Inventory. The intent of this policy is to place a primary emphasis on the protection of Carpenter's irreplaceable historic resources, and to use those resources as key elements defining the unique character of Carpenter. Historic structure should be retained in place whenever possible, especially within the historic crossroads. In some cases along major roadways, such as a widened Morrisville-Carpenter Road, contributing structures may need be moved back from the widened roadway in order to preserve context and render the structures marketable for preservation. Historic structures should be preserved on lots of sufficient size to be evocative of the original setting. When necessary, preserved structures may require buffering from contemporary infill development. New development adjacent to historic sites should provide a contextually-appropriate transition, in terms of massing, scale, landscaping, and architecture. Policy #2: Encourage Compatible Infill Development and Uses within the Carpenter Crossroads Area A limited amount of contextually-compatible infill development within the historic Crossroads area could enhance the vitality of this destination and support regional tourism and economic development efforts. The intent of this policy is to support infill development within the Crossroads area that complements the existing historic structures and uses, and that utilizes contextually-appropriate scale, massing, landscaping, and vernacular architectural elements. Adaptive re-use of existing historic structures is encouraged. In order to implement the intent of this policy, updates to zoning and development ordinances will likely be required, as well as design guidelines that clearly articulate the architectural and design expectations of infill. end, the A. M. Howard Farm site has been restored to serve as a special interpre ve heritage site, where families can learn about farm life in the early 20th Century. To the north, along Good Hope Church Road, new development is clustered back away from the road, in order to preserve some of the open space character. Policies for Carpenter In order to achieve the Vision for Carpenter, the Town's special policies for this area are: 185