Holly Springs · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Holly Springs public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
1601 Avent Ferry Road mixed-use development
A family wants to rezone land at 2420 Avent Ferry Road for 53 homes plus a small commercial pod with a grocery-style store. Council likes the walkable shopping idea but worries about traffic on residential streets, the crosswalk across Avent Ferry, and the awkward commercial access point.
Carolina Springs Town Center Major Amendment
A major amendment to the approved Carolina Springs Town Center development plan was before the board. Amendments like this can change building layouts, uses, or site design in a key commercial area of town.
Chandler Crossing apartment development
A 298-unit apartment complex is moving forward at 4500 Old Holly Springs Apex Road near Target. The council approved the detailed development plan after hearing sworn expert testimony on utilities, stormwater, and traffic improvements including turn lanes and frontage widening.
Piney Grove Wilbon Corridor development concerns
The Daventry project would displace about 65 mobile home households; Council member Foster pressed for relocation assistance and Larson questioned a project whose new signal mainly serves new residents.
Daventry subdivision and mobile home displacement
A proposed 255-home development at 6725 Thrasher Road would displace an existing mobile home community. Council pressed the applicant on resident relocation and road safety improvements before voting later this summer.
Main Street sidewalk connector
A resident told the council uneven sidewalks — some damaged by street trees — are a real safety hazard; her friend broke an elbow in a fall. She wants inspections, a repair schedule and dedicated funding, and questions spending on festivals before sidewalks.
Housing Affordability Action Plan
The 2023 study found a 460-unit shortage of affordable rentals, home prices up 65% since 2019, and a 'missing middle' squeeze. Council wants updated data, grant options, and a predictable 'if you do X, you get Y' policy framework so developers know the rules — with a goal of producing a full Affordable Housing Plan.
Campaign sign clutter on roadways
A resident urged the council to restrict campaign signs on town-maintained roads, calling them an annual assault on the landscape. He asked for town legislation as a first step, since state roads are largely out of the town's control.
Nonprofit grant and rental discount policies
The town's share of upcoming Cultural Center renovations — lobby, roof, and mechanical systems — totals about $2.3 million spread over five years starting in FY27.
Panhandling ordinance
Mayor Pro Tem Drees wants the town attorney to review the panhandling ordinance for constitutional accuracy and current language. Council agreed.
Downtown Investment Grant boundary expansion
Staff propose expanding the DIG program from the core downtown to the greater downtown area — about 200 more acres and 60 more eligible businesses — to help small local businesses afford upfits and startup costs. Council mostly liked it but wants core-downtown prioritization built in, and some worry about stretching a small fund thin.
Community special events policy update
Special event requests are booming — 38 last year, possibly 60 this year — and the old 5K race policy doesn't cover concerts and festivals. The new policy would add blackout dates around major town events, cap major downtown road closures at two events per month, and standardize insurance and damage-recovery requirements.
Cemetery operations and columbarium
The cemetery's grave-opening contractor is quitting November 17, and a replacement is being negotiated. Council largely balked at spending ~$60,000 on a columbarium with only about eight years of plots left.
Regional Wastewater Capacity with Cary and Apex
The Council authorized the first $140 million of utility revenue bonds to expand the plant from 6 to 8 MGD — a $219 million project partially offset by a $3 million EPA grant.
Festival Street Design
A design update for the Festival Street project was scheduled from staff, part of downtown improvements.
E-bikes and Scooters on Greenways
After ten written comments and retreat discussion, police are revising the greenway ordinance, meeting with youth groups, and planning a public education campaign.
Mayor's Monarch Butterfly Pledge
The committee's pollinator work continues: gardens at Sugg, monarch education and a Sept. 26 release, with seed giveaways and seed collection coming next.
Greenway and Park Project Investments
Council endorsed four new priority greenway segments adding about 3 miles, plus ideas for community-sponsored amenities like benches, bike racks, and a rainbow bridge. The Oak Hall project bids came in $470,000 over budget and will be rebid.
Carolina Springs Greenway Game-Land Designation Change
Duke/NC Wildlife proposed changing the hunting designation near the Carolina Springs Greenway from rifle to bow hunting, similar to the American Tobacco Trail. The greenway is developer-built and not yet turned over to the town.
Voter Registration
Don't get left out of the upcoming local and general elections on November 3rd! You've only got until October 9th to make sure your voter registration is up to date.