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Town Center Plan
January 2007
Appendix 9
Citizen Ideas and Input at
Town Center Implementation Strategies Meeting, 8-22-06
(Draft, 9-14-06)
On August 22, 2006, citizens turned out for a gathering hosted by the Town of
Morrisville to discuss implementation strategies for the draft Town Center Plan. After a
welcome and review by Chairman Peter Prichard, a brief presentation of the draft plan
was given by Warren Raybould of Raybould Associates, the consulting firm assisting
with the plan. Planning Director Ben Hitchings then introduced the program for the
evening; he explained that implementation strategies were often general in context, but
were necessary to identify to help launch the plan.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in two of four focus groups: Historic
Crossroads; Parks & Greenways; New Development/Visual Identity; and Transportation
Improvements. The groups were facilitated by Gary Roth of Capital Area Preservation;
Steadman Sugg, Greenways Planner; Town of Morrisville; Ben Hitchings, Planning
Director; John Whitson, Town Manager and Warren Raybould of Raybould Associates,
respectively.
Some key highlights of discussion points:
Historic Crossroads
Maintain views, of churches in particular
Establish important point in time
Have paths and trails instead of paved sidewalks in parts of historic area
Preserve trees
Have utility lines buried
Use historically themed lighting
Set maintenance guidelines
Keep buildings at current locations
Maintain a rural, small-town feel
Pedestrian friendly – parking at rear of buildings
Respect for scale and character in new architecture
Consider private fundraising options
Transportation
Transit Rail Station – build with or without one
More connections in and out of downtown
Multi-Modal
Lobby for impact fee authority
Funding options
Grid downtown
More east-west roads
Make Church Street a by-pass to Town Hall Drive; remainder of road a main street with
20 mph speed limit
Fund one-way portion of NC Highway 54 – Chapel Hill Road