AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE
title
Open the Public Hearing to Consider a Request to Close Portions of the Public Right-of-Way in Cowan Boulevard and White Oak Drive
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT*
Lance Norris, Director, Public Works Department
Chris Roberts, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure, Public Works Department
Robert Gehris, Engineer III, Public Works Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION*
Staff recommends that Council open a Public Hearing on March 12, 2025 to consider a request to close sections of a platted public right-of-way (ROW) within Cowan Blvd and White Oak Drive. The Council may close the Public Hearing this evening and act on the requested closures, or refer action to a future meeting.
body
ACTION/DECISION POINTS*
Council shall open a Public Hearing to consider the ROW closure request, and may either close the hearing to approve or reject the request, or refer action to a future meeting.
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT*
Resolution (2025-01-29/R-2.01) called for a public hearing to be held during the regularly scheduled Council Meeting on March 12, 2025 to consider this requested right-of-way closure. North Carolina General Statute Sec. 160A-299 sets out the process for closing public rights-of-way. This closure request is related to the proposed Meridian Lakeview Development (19 E. Lakeview Dr), the conditional rezoning of which was approved by Council under (2023-11-15/O-3) (Project # CZD-23-6).
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
This closure request is for a portion of the White Oak Drive right-of-way and a portion of the undeveloped platted right-of-way know as Cowan Boulevard per the attached map.
Properties bordering the ROW requested for closure are included in the conditional zoning ordinance CZD-23-6, approved November 15, 2023
Developer has applied for a zoning compliance permit to construct the proposed developments associated with this right-of-way closure request (ZCP-24-22)
All adjacent property owners have been notified through certified mail, physical signs have been placed in predominant places at the edges of the requested right-of-way closure area, and the notice has been published in the News & Observer for four consecutive weeks during January and February 2025.
TRADEOFFS, ALTERNATIVES, IMPACTS
Should Council move to close the right-of-way, the Developer may claim the land and construct their development as proposed. Should Council reject the closure request, a redesign of the Developer’s project may be needed, and the Town may be responsible for maintaining any future, accepted roadway improvements. Comments for additional impacts may be received during the Public Hearing. Council may also decide to continue the public hearing to a future meeting, deferring action.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None anticipated. Property owners claiming land from the area of requested closure shall bear the cost for any platting or recording.
ATTACHMENTS
CowanBlvd+WhiteOakDrROWClosure Resolution
CowanBlvd+WhiteOakDrROWClosure_Presentation for Council
CowanBlvd+WhiteOakDrROWClosure _Request & GS160A-299