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Town Center Plan
January 2007
Chairman Peter Prichard then offered the public a chance to stand and speak their thoughts.
Rhonda Johannsen stood and spoke, stating that she loved what the Board was attempting to do.
She asked if anyone had considered funding an oral history of Morrisville given by its residents.
She also agreed it was best to leave the buildings where they stood, and to follow some of the
architectural design on them in future development.
Ben Money spoke, stating he had been a resident of Town Hall Commons for three years. He
commended the Planning & Zoning Board as well as the staff for being proactive and trying to
create a plan for the project. He definitely supported the idea of a pedestrian-friendly community
and felt that was important to this project; the area needed to be away from the high traffic
volumes. He added that markers were nice but would be impossible to read while driving. He
said that many residents here work in the Research Triangle Park and walk or bicycle to work.
He said that he loved living in Morrisville – that he had traveled all over the world and this town
was a perfect mix of diversity. Considering the past should be used as a stepping stone to the
future – so much had already been lost, he was glad to see that steps were being taken to preserve
what remains.
Gary Roth of the Capital Area Preservation of Wake County spoke, stating that Planning
Director Ben Hitchings had invited him. He said he had never been to a meeting quite like this to
discuss the importance of a town’s history – it was exciting; fantastic and unique. He referenced
the Town of Morrisville’s mission statement and congratulated the board for taking steps to
make a fine future for Morrisville. He finished by stating that there were similar projects to this
one taking place all over Wake County.
Mary Jo Ferrell Lumley spoke as owner of the historic Page House, and said she had heard a lot
of oral history of this area from her mother, who now remembered more about the past than the
present. She, too, supported preserving the houses and history of Morrisville; she had lived here
since she was two years old, and she appreciated the efforts being made since so many
communities were being wiped out. She suggested that a Festival Area would be great in the
town, and reminded the board that the houses left here were quite rare, and it was important to
remember the lives and events of Morrisville’s past as well.
Chairman Peter Prichard thanked all of those who spoke with their ideas and expressions of
support.
Planning Board member Kathleen Gordon reminded the board they had once discussed the
option of a historical center; to start with that and obtain an oral history of the town to present to
citizens and visitors. She felt the area would still be walk-able if the houses were left; she added
that would also maintain the beautiful existing tree-line along the streets.
Planning Board member John Gretz said the input received was great and felt everyone had been
educated tonight. He recommended the first task was to gather more information and an
inventory of what was at hand and then talk about methods.
The board agreed to take a walking tour of Morrisville, as well as tours of other nearby
downtowns to help with the process.
Town of Morrisville Senior Director of Community Services and long-time Morrisville resident
and land owner Tony Chiotakis spoke before the meeting ended. He noted that NC Highway 54
(Chapel Hill Road) presented a difficult barrier to create a walkable community in that area. He
Appendix 1