New housing and the debate over whether existing infrastructure can keep up with development took center stage as Holly Springs town council members met on Tuesday.
The concerns came into focus as town leaders deferred a rezoning vote for 32 acres off Avent Ferry Road that would have allowed for dozens of new homes and a commercial business. Leaders cited pedestrian safety concerns as part of the reason for delaying the vote.
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"Our community...[is] really starting to feel the effects of the overdevelopment that's happening without the infrastructure that's actually needed to support it," Holly Springs resident Adam Sullivan said during Tuesday's meeting.
Sullivan said he lives near a roughly 30-acre plot of land in Holly Springs that was recently rezoned to allow for 450 new apartments as part of the Meridian at Sunset Commons development. He fears the development could worsen what he says are existing traffic troubles on nearby roads. Town officials say an agreement for the development includes conditions for sewer and other infrastructure improvements.
"The residents both in the election last year and since then, I think, have said loud and clear that a requirement of me and the council is figuring the best way to be able to better and manage and help the town catch up from an infrastructure perspective as we continue to develop," Holly Springs Mayor Mike Kondratick said.
Town officials said recent business and economic booms have drawn higher housing demand. Opponents believe without adequate infrastructure, more homes could lead to more issues."
Apex is feeling it. Fuquay, and now Holly Springs, this is happening really fast and we're lacking the things that we need." Sullivan said, "All of those communities are feeling it, and residents are starting to get really irritated."
In a social media post after the Meridian development vote, town council member Sarah Larson said discussions about improving communication and community engagement will continue at a workshop this fall.