Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
CHAPTER 6:SHAPE Public Art Master Plan complement the TCAP with addi onal policies. The Land Development Ordinance (LDO) and the Community Appearance Manual are the regulatory tools for implemen ng the TCAP, while the Cary Design Guidelines and Town Center Design Guidelines provide general design concepts, ideas, and recommenda ons in downtown and throughout Cary. While Cary is known for its a en on to high quality developments, there is an opportunity to strike a balance between mandatory development standards and achieving flexibility in regula ons that will encourage property owners to redevelop and invest in their proper es. There is an opportunity to evaluate this complex array of development and design guidance for Downtown Cary, and create a streamlined set of standards and guidelines that can support and incen ves redevelopment. There is also evidence that suggests that the current array of 18 Town Center sub-zoning districts may be limi ng redevelopment within Downtown Cary, and that a more flexible approach for regula ng development in downtown is needed. Core Issues: Transportation Railroad Crossing Studies Addressing railroad crossings in downtown is an important factor in achieving the vision for Downtown Cary. As vehicular and railroad trips increase, there will likely be conflicts at railroad crossings – places where cars, bikes, and people walking have to cross railroad lines. The Town has ini ated and par cipated in three studies to iden fy solu ons to this challenge. Walker Street Grade Separa on Railroad Study The Town has developed a study for crea ng another north- south connec on in downtown by extending Walker Street north of East Cedar Street, across the NCRR/Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad lines, and finally connec ng to Chapel Hill Road. The study includes recommenda ons to include bicycle and pedestrian facili es along the corridor and to construct a railroad overpass eleva ng both rail lines to reduce railroad crossing delays. The Town has been working for several years to secure funding for this project. North Harrison Avenue Grade Separa on Feasibility Study The North Harrison Avenue Grade Separa on Feasibility Study (2014) evaluated poten al solu ons for the North Carolina (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern and CSX railroad crossings on Harrison Avenue in downtown. As train and vehicle traffic increase in the future, delays for crossing the railroad tracks are expected to increase, challenging mobility within downtown. A set of short-term, mid-term, and long-term scenarios and strategies are included in this study to alleviate challenges to these intersec ons, including the long-term strategy to elevate Harrison Avenue by construc ng a bridge over the NCRR/Norfolk Southern railroad line. The Town is considering opportuni es to implement the strategies outlined in the study. Raleigh-Cary Rail Crossing Study A joint plan of Raleigh and the Town of Cary, the Raleigh-Cary Rail Crossing Study was completed in 2016. The project evaluated the railroad crossings between NC State University to the east, and East Maynard Road to the west, including two crossings in Cary at Southeast Maynard and East Chatham Street, and Trinity Road. The study considers how the addi on of poten al future transit sta ons in Cary and Raleigh, and changes in the roadway network will affect proper es and land uses. The first step in the process was to iden fy which streets and intersec ons are working well, and which may need improvement. The study includes a range of alterna ves to address the iden fied needs. The end result of this study is to iden fy the feasibility of corridor alterna ves and their associated impacts. It recommends construc ng a railroad bridge over Northeast Maynard Road, and shi ing the Chatham Street/Maynard Road intersec on 200 feet outside the rail corridor. Wake Transit Plan The Wake Transit Study was a regional effort to coordinate transit planning within Wake County. Adopted in June 2016, the dra Wake Transit Plan includes four "big moves": (1) to connect the region across county lines including a 37-mile commuter rail service and enhanced bus service that could provide greater connec ons between Cary and regional des na ons, (2) to connect all Wake County communi es to the transit network via commuter rail, bus rapid transit, and/or enhanced bus transit service, (3) to provide frequent, reliable, urban mobility to the densifying areas of the County by providing greater frequency of transit service, and (4) to give enhanced access to transit across Wake County through greater frequency of service and expanding fixed transit routes. The plan sets out to accomplish these four objec ves through tripling bus service in the county, inves ng in commuter rail and bus rapid transit (BRT) infrastructure, and focusing on improving the transit commuter experience. This plan will enhance regional connec vity in Cary, par cularly between Raleigh's and Cary's downtowns. The loca ons of future service areas will present significant opportuni es for Downtown Cary. (See the Best Planning Prac ces Guide for Poten al Transit Sta ons and Surrounding Areas in this plan's appendix.) What is Bus Rapid Transit? Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost- effec ve services at metro- level capaci es. BRT is o en provided via dedicated, bus-only travel lanes. -Ins tute for Transporta on & Development Policy 140