Residents urge transparency and accountability during Cary public comment; rezoning and construction complaints raised

Multiple residents used the Public Speaks Out period at the Cary Town Council meeting on Nov. 20 to press the council on transparency, public safety and local land-use proposals.

Daniella Zipkin of the Western Manor neighborhood spoke about the Weston PDD amendment (rezoning r e z 14) and asked the council to reject the application in its current form, urging the applicant to revert to the earlier plan for about 70 townhomes instead of higher-density apartment buildings on an 8-acre parcel. Zipkin said the parcel could set a precedent for development in the area and requested that the highest-density development be located north of Weston with appropriate transition to existing neighborhoods.

Maria Crosby told the council she believes local democracy is under stress and that some residents fear federal enforcement actions; she asked the council to publish a detailed accounting of any local impacts from recent operations — including business closures and lost work days, school absences, total arrests (immigration or criminal), and whether legal residents were affected. Crosby said local law enforcement may need training on federal law and asked the council to clarify local policies on what officers will and will not allow.

Alicia Moore delivered a petition gathered through local networks asking the council to stream public meetings. Moore said she had circulated the petition and handed the signatures to the clerk; she praised Councilmember Jennifer Bryson Robinson for recent informal live streaming from a phone and urged the council to adopt systematic streaming.

Resident Toby Burla urged the council to speak out about incidents he described as people being taken from the street by masked individuals without identification. He said the town should take steps to protect civil rights and help neighbors feel safe.

Elizabeth Murray raised safety concerns about Old Apex Road, describing imminent water-line construction and large metal plates in the roadway that she said create hazards for vehicles and school-time traffic; she said she had not received written notices and requested staff follow-up and contact information.

Council members acknowledged the concerns. The council voted later in the meeting to begin televising and archiving council decision meetings and directed staff to prepare a broader report on streaming boards and commissions (see related article). The clerk noted two registered speakers and no written comments for the Public Speaks Out period.

What was requested from the council • An accounting of local impacts from recent federal enforcement activity (Maria Crosby). • Reconsideration or rejection of the current Weston PDD amendment in favor of a lower-density townhome plan (Daniella Zipkin). • Systematic livestreaming of council meetings and consideration of boards/commissions (petition delivered by Alicia Moore). • Staff follow-up about safety measures and notice regarding Old Apex Road construction (Elizabeth Murray).