Morrisville Land Use Plan 2021

Community Character

Visibility Maintaining Morrisville’s character requires consideration of not just how properties develop, but also where. The appearance of properties that are highly visible frommajor transportation corridors like NC54 and Airport Boulevard, as well as key gathering spaces and popular shopping destinations, can have a dramatic impact on impressions of the community. . The Town should ensure that future develop- ment in these prominent locations conveys a high standard of design and character. New industrial development, especially operations that generate significant impacts to their surroundings, should be located in areas with less visibility. In situations where this is not possible, landscaping, buffers, and creative site design should be utilized to place the use’s best face forward and minimize poten- tial impacts. In addition to high standards for site design particular emphasis should be given to the architectural character of development along NC54, McCrimmon Parkway, Morris- ville-Carpenter Road, Airport Boulevard, and Aviation Parkway to reinforce a positive image of the Town.

H istoric Preservation Morrisville’s community character and identity are also enhanced by its areas of historical significance, including the Historic Crossroads area around Morrisville-Car- penter Road and Church Street and the Shiloh community along Church Street. These areas feature historic and culturally signifi - cant buildings that should be maintained as part of Morrisville’s heritage and identity. The Town should prioritize preservation of these and other historic structures, particularly given the rapid nature of development in Morrisville. The Town should also encourage adaptive reuse, restoration, repurposing of historic materials, and other best practices to preserve Morrisville’s history. Key Considerations ⊲ Continue to prioritize the preservation of historic and culturally significant struc - tures and properties, including maintaining historic designations or landmark statuses. ⊲ Encourage best practices to preserve Morrisville’s history and historic assets, including adaptive reuse, restoration, and re-purposing of historic materials. ⊲ Work with owners of potential historically significant structures and local preserva - tion organizations to seek designation on state and national registers. ⊲ Continue to explore opportunities to inte- grate historic properties and assets as part of Morrisville’s branding and image, such as the Historic Walking Trail signage and Civil War skirmish markers.

Key Considerations ⊲ Maintain and enhance Morrisville’s community character as the Town continues to grow and develop in the future. This should include requiring high quality site design, architecture, and landscaping for new development in accordance with the UDO and other regulations. ⊲ Continue to enforce regular maintenance and upkeep of existing properties, particu- larly landscaped areas and signs. ⊲ Explore incentives and programs to assist property owners with renovations and upgrades to older properties and aging structures. ⊲ Identify and protect Morrisville’s unique natural features, and where appropriate, leverage them as publicly accessible amenities. ⊲ Uphold the current residential character of Morrisville by protecting existing neigh- borhoods from incompatible uses and ensuring future residential growth outside of strategic areas is largely single-family detached housing.

Key Considerations ⊲ Guide development to ensure industrial uses that generate significant impacts to their surroundings are located in areas with less visibility. ⊲ Continue to encourage the use of land- scaping, buffers, and creative site design to minimize impacts of heavy industrial operations located in highly visible areas. ⊲ Emphasize quality development along highly visible thoroughfares to reinforce the Town’s positive image. ⊲ Continue to bury utility lines underground where practicable for improved aesthetics and resiliency against severe weather.

Community character and the overall appear- ance of Morrisville is critical to the Town’s desirability. Morrisville is defined by lush landscaping, tall trees, welcoming neighbor- hoods, and a high quality of development. This character is a valuable asset that should be maintained and enhanced as the community continues to grow. As development and reinvestment occurs, consideration should be given to how the appearance of individual properties impacts Morrisville’s character. The Town should continue to require high quality site design, architecture, and landscaping for new developments in accordance with the UDO and other regulations. In addition, the Town should continue to enforce regular main- tenance and upkeep of existing properties. This could include incentives for renovation and upgrades to older properties and aging structures.

61 Morrisville Land Use Plan | Chapter 5 – Land Use Considerations