Morrisville Town Center Plan - 2007

Chapter 3: Detailed Design

are needed to keep traffic moving through the intersection with Chapel Hill Road. Town Hall Drive, however, has good access, but is less visible at present. The passby traffic on this road, however, is expected to steadily increase over time with growth in the area, and with the planned construction of the Triangle Parkway at the northern end of Town Hall Drive and Crabtree Crossing Extension at the southern end. This will improve the prospects for supporting some commercial uses in this location. Even so, with considerable competition from existing and planned retail development near the Town Center, this district will depend heavily on new community facilities and a quality design to help draw people to this location. As a result, the Town Center Design proposes that the district consist of a main street anchored by a civic/cultural facility at its eastern terminus, which may in turn enable the district to support a limited number of commercial businesses, especially those that take advantage of the distinctive character of the Town Center to help attract customers. Conducting a needs assessment and feasibility study for a civic/cultural facility are important early implementation projects to help determine the prospects for this potential anchor. The civic/cultural facility and other structures along the main street should frame an outdoor plaza, which could provide a venue for farmers markets, concerts, and other public events throughout the year. Primary access would be provided via Town Hall Drive, with a dogleg at the eastern end to provide connectivity while slowing traffic moving into the residential neighborhood. On the eastern side of the civic/cultural facility, the Town Center Design calls for a children’s park that might include a water play feature and public art to ensure a quality outdoor space for families and mark the transition into the neighboring residential area.

What do you think the density is in this photo? If you guessed, 16 - 18 units per acre, then you are correct. Design standards can help ensure that neighborhoods like this one in upscale Southern Village in Chapel Hill are attractive and function well for residents and the community. (Photo: Ben Hitchings, Town of Morrisville)

4) Civic/Government District: This district includes the current Town Hall, Police Station, and Chamber of Commerce. As the Town government tries to keep pace with growing service demands in the community, new office space will be needed for Town staff. The Town Center Design includes space for additional buildings along Town Hall Drive. A through road running from Morrisville- Carpenter Road through the existing Town Hall parking lot could provide connectivity to the planned internal street network to the What do you think the density is in this photo? If you guessed, 8 - 10 units per acre, then you are correct. Design standards can help ensure that neighborhoods like this one in upscale Fearrington Village in Chatham County are attractive and function well for residents and the community. (Photo: Ben Hitchings, Town of Morrisville)

29 │ Town Center Plan

January 2007