Cary board leans toward developer A to begin negotiations on Maplewood redevelopment after hours of resident concerns

The Village of Cary Committee of the Whole signaled a board-level consensus to begin negotiations with the development team labeled “Team A” on a request-for-proposals for the Maplewood property, but stressed that no final decisions on density, price or site plan have been made.

The board’s move to open negotiations follows a lengthy public comment period in which nearby residents raised concerns about height and density, potential traffic impacts, limited public outreach and the city’s earlier $5.5 million expenditure connected to the property and the school district.

The Maplewood parcel was acquired through an intergovernmental agreement with District 26; Director Simmons told the committee that the $5.5 million figure includes the district’s asking price for the school parcel (about $2.75 million) plus funds used to acquire and prepare a second site for the district’s transportation center. The board and staff emphasized that the next step is negotiation with a preferred developer and that any redevelopment will still require formal…