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Cramerton commissioners discuss growth pressures, social district rules and downtown improvements
Summary
Commissioners debated regional coordination on growth, requirements for a downtown social district and several downtown operations items including the stormwater parking lot, volunteer cleanups and temporary lighting at Town Hall.
Commissioners at the June 2 Cramerton meeting discussed resident concerns about rapid growth, possible regional coordination, and details for a proposed downtown "social district," alongside routine downtown project updates.
Commissioner Helms said he had received an emailed complaint from a Timberlake resident worried about traffic and infrastructure capacity as new developments proceed. Helms proposed a collective board reply and outreach to neighboring municipalities and the county to discuss regional impacts; Town Attorney Wolter said the board could adopt a policy statement or resolution and she could draft interlocal-agreement documents for an advisory working group. Planning Director Josh Watkins told the board the county is gathering municipal data to present to elected officials in Raleigh.
Commissioner Helms also asked for an update on a possible social district. Attorney Wolter explained the town would need an ordinance defining the district and a map, and that the district would have to be registered with the ABC Commission. "The social district would need to be enforced by the police," Wolter said, and permittees would be limited to serving alcohol within defined boundaries; signage and physical barriers would be required along the perimeter.
Other downtown items: Town Manager David Pugh reported construction has begun on a downtown stormwater parking lot and signage will be installed; volunteers have performed landscaping work on Mayflower with Duke Energy permission and Parks staff will clear weeds along the Front Street railroad bank. Commissioner Atkinson suggested temporary lighting and additional security cameras for the Town Hall front parking lot while the downtown lot is under construction. Mayor Wills and other commissioners discussed traffic flow improvements, including a possible right-turn lane off North Main Street, and reminded residents of a public meet-and-greet at the Centennial Center gazebo scheduled for the following evening.
What’s next: Attorney Wolter said she could prepare documents for an interlocal advisory group and for any ordinance or registration required for a social district. The board asked staff to gather regional data and bring it to the July meeting for further discussion.
