The study was an effort to determine appropriate land uses, plan infrastructure extensions, and address natural resource conservation and economic development, a county representative said. The county recommended designating nearly 1,500 acres south of US 1 as a business park and maintaining 14,470 acres of Progress Energy land as an utility/environmental stewardship area. Staff said Progress Energy spoke generally about its plans to move forward with construction of two additional reactors, which would increase the lake’s level, as part of the study.
Town Councilman Tim Sack said the study pointed out the impact of Progress Energy land holdings in the area.
“It also gives us a good view of areas that can be major park areas,” Sack said. “It looks like if we keep working with Progress Energy … it would be great for everybody.”
Also during the meeting, the town approved a federally-funded project to provide sidewalk along the southern portion of Main St. from Ballentine St. to the G.B. Alford Hwy. Because of the inability to construct a sidewalk on a cemetery property, the sidewalk is to be built on the western side of the roadway until Oak St., where it will continue on the other side.
“The longer it is, the better it will look in that area,” said Councilman Parrish Womble about allowing for lengthier stretches of sidewalk on the roadway.
The council approved a special exception use allowing a minor auto repair use for Firestone. The building is to include 10 service bays and is to be located on an outparcel in the Wal-Mart shopping center off the G.B. Alford Hwy.
The council approved an update to the town’s comprehensive plan, which covers the town’s land use, utilities, transportation, natural resources and more. Staff said that since the plan was only a year and a half old, not many changes were made. Statistical updates, such as an updated population chart and maps, were made to the plan, and staff discussed how new expansion by Apex thwarted Holly Springs plans to place a community center in a northern section of town. Progress Energy’s land holdings’ effects on town expansion also was discussed, as well as a future interchange location off US 1. Streetscape plans for major thoroughfares, including trees, furniture and fixtures, were added to the plan.
The council approved an ordinance and policy statement for the town’s reclaimed water program. The reclaimed water is treated wastewater available to a limited area in town, as well as for drive-through purchase. It can be used for irrigation, landscaping, power washing, construction purposes and more. Kevin Adams, chair of the town Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, presented Councilman Hank Dickson with a plaque recognizing his dedication as a the council leader on the board. Dickson did not seek reelection for the town council.
“We’re not going to say goodbye, but we’re going to say thank you,” Adams said.
He thanked Dickson for his dedication and “for all those Thursday nights he has spent with us, providing us with his leadership, thought and insight.”
“I think we definitely have a good group that’s on there,” Dickson said of the board. “I really appreciate this.”
Sack requested staff to look into decreasing the speed limit along Main St. from 35 to 25 miles per hour. “It’s getting dangerous,” Sack said.
He said he had been receiving complaints about the speed along that road and that both vehicles and pedestrians crossing the road would benefit form the slower speed.
Staff is to take the speed limit reduction request to the state Department of Transportation. Councilman Vinnie DeBenedetto was absent from the meeting.
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