County adopts Page-Miami Design District text amendment to encourage transit-oriented development

County planning staff summarized a proposed Unified Development Ordinance amendment that establishes the Page-Miami Design District to encourage future transit-oriented and multimodal development in an area southeast of Research Triangle Park. The measure clarifies sign-calculation standards and applicability of transitional-use-area special-use permits within compact and suburban design districts, and it supports future investments like bus rapid transit, passenger rail and bike-ped facilities.

"The purpose of this new zoning is to encourage transit oriented development, support future publicly funded multimodal projects like future bus rapid transit, passenger rail, or bike and ped facilities, and promote equitable development using the affordable housing density bonus," senior planner Kayla Bridal said. City council previously adopted associated rezonings in the project area; the county adopted the text amendments and the required consistency statement unanimously.

Planning staff said the district includes roughly 25 acres where staff were able to secure consent from many property owners under new state legislation; staff and commissioners emphasized the district's role in guiding transit-supportive development and noted adjacent mobility initiatives such as the Triangle Mobility Hub. The board thanked planning staff for adapting to recent legislative changes and working with property owners and landowners to advance the district.