Table Of ContentP E A K
THE
P L A N
PEAK OF
2 0 3 0
GOOD LIVING
The Apex Comprehensive Plan
ENVISIONING
A FUTURE
Peak Plan 2030
envisions a future
where Apex continues
to grow and prosper in
a way that preserves
the small town
character and ensures
the Town remains
“The Peak of Good
Living.”
A Special Thanks to the Members of
the Peak Plan 2030 Advisory Committee
Steve Adams PJ Puryear
Jonathan Allen Dianne Reaves
Tom Colhoun Jeff Roach
Liana Diberto Gene Schulze
Jeff Hastings Mack Thorpe
Larry Jordan Molly Weston
Cat Kearns Graham Wilson
Sheila Morrison
THE
PEAK OF
GOOD LIVING
The Apex Comprehensive Plan
Town of Apex
73 HUNTER STREET • APEX NC 27502 • 919.249.3400
Prepared by
LandDesign
223 North Graham Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
In Association with
Kimley Horn & Associates
JULY 2013
THE
PEAK OF
GOOD LIVING
The Apex Comprehensive Plan
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Purpose of the Plan
Relationship to Other Plans
01 Context
1 Public Involvement Process
PLAN FRAMEWORK
Peak Plan 2030 Goals
02 Issues and Opportunities
7
2030 LAND USE MAP
2030 Land Use Map
Description of Land Uses
03
Description of Mixed-Use Nodes
19
RECOMMENDATIONS
04
29
APPENDIX
A Market Conditions
B Implementation Matrix
05
41
p?
PEAK PLAN 2030
RECOMMENDATIONS* Executive
BALANCED GROWTH D
• Revise the Unifed Development Ordinance. Virtually all of the
recommendations pertaining to land use and development design Summary
can be implemented through the application of land development
regulations. The traditional vehicle for these regulations is the
community’s Unifed Development Ordinance (UDO). The UDO CAR Y PKWY
establishes allowable uses by district and sets forth provisions C A RY PEAK PLAN 2030 ENVISIONS
f
corm dmeveerlcoiaplm cent edress. ign, such as standards for subdivisions and À! APE L RD ¤I À4 ¤I a future where Apex continues to grow
• Encourage non-residential land uses to achieve a more sustainable, À4 A P E X and prosper in a way that preserves the
balanced tax base in Apex. T5O4L0L
small town character and ensures the
PLACEMAKING
• C
keoyn dacutcivt iatyn dc eandtoeprst .d etailed, special studies or small area plans for JOLRAKDKDEAN À! À4 Town remains “The Peak of Good Living.”
p?
• Encourage both vertical and horizontal integration of uses in mixed- À4 À! PEAK PLAN 2030 Peak Plan 2030 envisions a development pattern that
use districts, with an emphasis on pedestrian linkages. balances the economic, social, and environmental
HOUSING oI T5O4L0L LAND USE MAP needs of Apex, strengthens the local economy and
•
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and increasingly diverse population. HOL NG S RD S HP OR ILNLGYS works to preserve and support Apex’s small town
character, provide a variety of transportation options,
• Encourage density increases that do not alter the character of G S
downtown through lot size changes and coverage modifcations, and ensure that development is supported by an
cottage and cluster housing development models and accessory units. effcient and effective system of utility infrastructure.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Plan promotes a place that preserves its historic
• Identify new industrial/business/offce park sites totaling 100- and iconic areas and provides opportunities for
150 contiguous acres on NC-55, US-64, US-1, and Jessie Drive to
accommodate non-retail employment growth. cultural enrichment. Peak Plan 2030 ensures that
• Partner with Town of Apex Economic Development staff and the NE as Apex continues to grow, it remains “The Peak of
Chamber of Commerce to market these sites to potential employers. Good Living.”
TRANSPORTATION CAS S HO
• Implement the Apex Transportation Plan 2011 Plan Update.
• C
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future potential additions to the greenway network and to help PEAK PLAN 2030 GOALS community outcomes. The plan identifes specifc
prioritize sidewalk projects.
issues and opportunities facing Apex today in order
PUBLIC SERVICES & FACILITIES • Balanced growth supporting a greater • Enhancement and extension of Apex’s
• Provide adequate fre, police, and emergency service in all areas. diversity of uses in Apex downtown to proactively address concerns and capitalize
on possibilities to improve the quality of life for
• C
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fuptuerxe c fiotirz eAnpse. x I tb parsoevdi doens a a s berto oafd g voiasliso nd eoff ntheed by
PARKS, RECREATION FACILITIES, GREENWAYS & OPEN SPACES objectives
• Implement recommendations of the Parks, Recreation, Greenways • Transition between new development residents, business owners, community leaders and
and Open Space Master Plan. • Preservation of Apex’s character and existing development other stakeholders. In addition, the plan presents
• Develop criteria for the prioritization of funding for greenway strategies for achieving that vision.
connections. • A diversifed economy that • Protection of environmental and
encourages entrepreneurs, supports natural resources
ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES existing businesses, and attracts new
• Promote the use of green building techniques and rainwater capture employers • A variety of transportation options to
systems in new developments. enhance mobility
• Encourage low impact site development and more ecologically • Walkable, mixed-use developments
designed and sustainable sites with functional landscapes. and pedestrian-oriented streets • A well-connected pedestrian and THE
HISTORIC & CULTURAL RESOURCES that encourage active lifestyles by bicycle network
• Continue to protect historic resources using tools like the National integrating physical activity into daily • A variety of housing types available PEAK OF
Register of Historic Places Historic District designation, the Apex routines to a range of incomes
demolition disincentive, landmarking, the powers of the Wake County
Historic Preservation Commission, and the Resource Conservation • Employment centers in Apex GOOD LIVING
Area standards found in the Town’s Unifed Development Ordinance.
The Apex Comprehensive Plan
*partial set (refer to Chapter 4 on page 29 for full set)
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Introduction
PEAK PLAN 2030 ENVISIONS A FUTURE WHERE
Apex continues to grow and prosper in a way that preserves the
small town character and ensures the Town remains “The Peak
of Good Living.”
Apex has experienced exceptional growth crises in recent history. In many
over the past two decades. From a population communities economic stagnation resulted
of just 4,968 in 1990, to a 2012 population in declining home values, widespread
estimate of 45,523 residents within the study foreclosures, limited consumption, and high
area, the town has evolved from a small, unemployment. High growth areas were hit
rural community to a thriving suburban especially hard. While Apex can defnitely be
destination in the Triangle Region of North considered a high growth community with
Carolina. According to the State Offce of an average compounded annual growth rate
Budget and Management, Apex is now the of approximately 5% over the last ten years,
22nd largest municipality in North Carolina. the Town weathered the diffcult economic
downturn with encouraging resiliency.
The population in Apex has also diversifed.
Similar to national trends, the combined 15 In fact, in a recently published study
to 34 age groups, or Generation Y, and the comparing the 2012 average assessed value
Baby Boomers (aged 45-64) make up the to sales price ratio of homes in the Triangle,
two largest age groups in the study area. In Apex’s homes retained their value better than
addition, residents classifying themselves as all neighboring jurisdictions1. In addition,
having Hispanic origin increased from 927 since 2004 the average single-family home
people in 2000 to 3,414 in 2012, a 268.5% price has risen from $178,800 to $249,274
increase in 12 years. today. Approximately 3,725 housing units
have been built in Apex’s jurisdiction2 since
During this same time period, the nation 2004, with nearly 20% of those homes being
suffered one of the worst economic and fscal built between 2008 and 2010.
1Birch Appraisal Group of Cary, Market Update, Summary of Residential Activity, RTP, North Carolina, 2012.
2Apex’s jurisdiction includes corporate limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).
INTRODUCTION
Not only have property values increased The projected population and changes in the
signifcantly, but the Town has continually added Town’s demographics, along with the potential
facilities and services to ensure a high quality of development pressure generated by the completion
life for residents. Approximately 9,000 linear feet of NC-540 and the Western Wake Regional Water
of new greenways and four miles of sidewalk were Reclamation Facility, will result in signifcant
constructed, three parks, including Apex’s frst dog development, land use, and transportation impacts
park opened, and nearly 60 miles of roadway were on the existing character of Town. For these, as
either constructed or improved, including several well as many other reasons, the Town of Apex once
sections of the Apex Peakway. again decided to proactively address the direction
of growth through an update to the comprehensive
Today, Apex looks forward to continued growth plan.
as one of North Carolina’s fastest developing
communities. Driving much of this growth over the
next 20 years are two major regional infrastructure
projects: a portion of the Triangle Expressway and
the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation
Facility (WRF).
A portion of the Triangle Expressway (NC-540)
opened in December of 2012. This new toll road
provides a direct connection between Apex,
Research Triangle Park (RTP), and the Raleigh-
Durham International Airport (RDU). Employers
looking for potential headquarter sites, workers
seeking a high quality of life a short drive from
The portion of the Triangle Expressway (NC-540) that connects
major employment centers, and retailers identifying
Apex with RTP and points north opened in December 2012.
sites in close proximity to growing residential
populations will increasingly make Apex a
destination of choice.
Scheduled for completion in 2014, the new Western
Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility will
provide Apex, Morrisville, and Cary a solution to
existing and future wastewater treatment capacity
issues. The facility, which will be able to treat 18
million gallons each day, ensures that as each
community continues to grow there will be ample
supply to serve both existing and future businesses
and residents.
Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility is
scheduled to open during the summer of 2014.
2 : Apex PEAK PLAN 2030
Purpose of the Plan
Relationship to Other Plans
Peak Plan 2030 is a policy document intended to
guide development of the Town of Apex to desired Apex has a long-standing tradition of prepar-
community outcomes. The plan identifes specifc ing plans to help guide growth and development
issues and opportunities facing Apex today in order decisions in the community. The most recent Apex
to proactively address concerns and capitalize on Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2004. The
possibilities to improve the quality of life for Apex 2004 Plan responded to a period of unprecedented
citizens. It provides a broad vision of the future for growth in the community and identifed strategies to
Apex based on a set of goals defned by residents, preserve and promote the quality of life in Apex. The
business owners, community leaders, and other Small Town Character Overlay District, the Western
stakeholders. In addition, the plan presents strate- Area Plan, and the NC-540/South Salem Street Plan
gies for achieving that vision. resulted from recommendations in the 2004 plan.
In 2008, the Western Area Plan was completed as an
update and complement to the Apex Comprehensive
Plan. The Western Area Plan anticipated changes and
addressed potential issues with the construction and
opening of a portion of NC-540 and the expansion of
the Town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). In addi-
tion, plans were also completed for the areas around
the NC-540/Salem Street interchange and North
Salem Street Corridor. These plans explored specifc
development opportunities and helped to manage
changes in these specifc areas to outcomes desired
by the community. Peak Plan 2030 will supercede
these plans.
More recently, the Town completed an update to the
Transportation Plan and is currently in the process
of updating the Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Resources Plan. Each of these efforts resulted in a
set of recommendations that provide the Town with
a decision-making framework. The fndings and
recommendations of these plans inform Peak Plan
2030.
Apex Historic District Marker
Apex PEAK PLAN 2030 : 3
INTRODUCTION
