Cary School District 26 gains approval for zoning changes on 3 Oaks Road

The Cary Board of Zoning Planning and Appeals convened on June 26, 2025, to discuss a significant development proposal from the Cary Community Consolidated School District 26. The meeting focused on the approval of a planned development that includes zoning departures from the Unified Development Ordinances for a property located on 3 Oaks Road, adjacent to the existing Aldi Transportation Center.

The proposal is part of an intergovernmental agreement between the school district and the Village of Cary, aimed at relocating the existing bus transportation center from the Maplewood site to the new location. The property, currently zoned as a B2 shopping center business district, requires several approvals for the planned development, including three zoning departures. These departures involve increasing the maximum fence height for the outdoor storage area and modifying landscaping requirements along the north and west property lines.

Historically, the property was annexed into the village in 1984 and was originally zoned for industrial use. It underwent a comprehensive zoning update in the late 1990s, transitioning to its current B2 designation. The site is approximately 7 acres, which necessitates a Planned Unit Development (PUD) review due to its size. The petitioners aim to create a three-lot subdivision, with the first lot designated for the relocated bus transportation center and the remaining two lots reserved for future commercial development, in line with the intergovernmental agreement.

The meeting underscored the village's commitment to efficient land use and creative development approaches, as outlined in the Unified Development Ordinance. The next steps will involve further review and potential approval of the proposed development plan.