Board ponders changes in growth boundary

Potential upscale development at heart of matter

With developers interested in building upscale subdivisions just northwest of Apex, the town board last week discussed the possibility of changing its Urban Growth Boundary.

Toll Brothers, one of the nation's leaders in luxury homes, recently approached the town about its interest in building homes along Green Level Church, Green Level West and Roberts roads.  The area is located about three-fourths of a mile outside of the town's limits.

The development would be similar to Briar Creek in Raleigh with homes ranging in price from $400,000 to $600,000.

Mayor Keith Weatherly said the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was set a t a time when the town's wastewater capacity was severely limited.  But now that Apex has resolved that situation he believes the future of the boundary should be discussed.

"To arbitrarily cut off good opportunities wouldn't be good public policy," said Weatherly.  "To suggest the UGB is the only thing protecting us from urban sprawl is not the case.  This board can make good decisions on individual cases."

"We are carefully scrutinizing growth.  The UGB was right at the time because it sent the proper signal to developers.  But neighboring communities are competing for developments and we don't want to cut ourselves off from entertaining good opportunities."

Commissioner Mike Jones said a change in the boundary was something the board had always considered.

"We said once we had additional sewer capacity we should do this," said Jones.  "We also said that if something unique cam along we would entertain it."

The commissioners agreed that the Toll Brothers development would be unique to town and would take care of a growing need for more upscale homes.

Commissioner Bill Jensen said both he and Commissioner Gene Schulze knew of residents who moved from town because they couldn't find upscale homes.

"We should have the option to go beyond the boundary for something special," said Jensen.  "This isn't a cookie-cutter development.  I like the idea of the UGB but I like the option of being able to step over it."

A public hearing will be held in January to collect feedback from residents on the matter.

Options for the town include retaining the current UGB and invoking a policy that allows annexation in unique circumstances; expanding the UGB to cover the area where the development is being considered; or, eliminating the UGB completely.