Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
DOWNTOWN CARY SPECIAL PLANNING AREA Policy Policy Intent Policy 4: Balance Transportation Investments to Support Accessibility of All Modes Provide transportation facilities and services investments within the Maynard Loop that support the vision of downtown as a multi-activity destination. The transportation system should place a priority on creating a safe and accessible environment for all modes of travel, including biking, walking, taking transit, and driving. Necessary parking and related infrastructure should also be provided. The intent of this policy is to continue to promote street design that supports all modes of travel. This policy elevates pedestrians and bicyclists to the level of motorists so that all downtown visitors, whether driving or walking, are treated as the primary users of infrastructure within the downtown special planning area. As such, crosswalks should be maintained at every intersection in Downtown Cary. All new street development and redevelopment projects should include sidewalks, street trees, bike facilities and on-street parking, as feasible. And parking should be supplied to support increased vehicular traffic that comes with new development in downtown. In line with this intent, Cary's downtown streetscape standards for primary and secondary roads should generally be followed. It may not be feasible for some downtown streets to be designed to the corridor profiles listed in the MOVE chapter. The Town will consider alternative designs proposed by developers that satisfy connectivity and traffic movement objectives of downtown road segments. Policy 5: Encourage Downtown Reinvestment and Redevelopment Encourage the redevelopment, improvement, and reinvestment in existing businesses and homes in Downtown Cary to further strengthen the downtown market and enhance its economic vibrancy. The purpose of this policy is to support private actions to improve, invest in, and redevelop properties in downtown. This policy should be considered in light of the Town's existing preservation policies, and Downtown Policy #1: Foster Downtown's Authentic Character, particularly that adaptive reuse of historic structures is preferred over complete redevelopment. The Town currently supports these efforts through the Downtown Business Improvement District, which is slated to provide financial assistance to eligible downtown projects through fiscal year 2018. This policy also supports consideration of other funding sources or Town actions that can trigger and facilitate private investment and redevelopment in downtown. Policy 6: Support a Range of Uses in Downtown Support the development of a range of uses in Downtown Cary to create a full-service environment for residents living, working, recreating, and shopping in downtown. The purpose of this policy is to support the development of a broad range of uses in Downtown Cary. Opportunities exist to ensure that a range of uses can be developed in downtown, including single- and multi-family housing, live/ work units, retail commercial, drinking and dining establishments, personal services, professional offices, institutional uses, and recreational sites. Each of the five subareas and the supporting neighborhoods offer opportunities for providing some if not all of these uses. (See the specific subarea sections for more guidance about which uses are appropriate in which locations.) 147