FAQ: Development

The town has no plans to change road capacity through downtown. The Churton Street Access Improvements Project, which is starting Phase 2 work in April 2017, is aimed at pedestrian safety. 

Alternative paths around downtown have been suggested and studied for years, but the community and the N.C. Department of Transportation have not been able to agree on any improvements that involve constructing additional lanes or new routes. We remain focused on identifying intersection improvements and smaller projects, which can be implemented more quickly or can be reasonably required from development projects. 

The state has funded improvements south of the Eno River to ease congestion through the commercial core south of downtown and toward the interstates. The town closely considers traffic impact while reviewing development proposals and generally discourages residential development north of U.S. 70, which would add commuters traveling through downtown.

The town participates in regional transportation planning committees but does not have authority over the schedule for state and federal road projects. Scheduling of projects is based on a variety of factors, many of which are moving pieces, like the availability of contractors and subcontractors as well as materials. In the past several years, it has been difficult to find qualified available contracting firms as the market is flooded with work. For the Churton Street Access Improvements Project, the schedule also was set based on the preferences of downtown businesses, which were for the most disruptive work to occur over the summer.

As of March 2017, a Sheetz gas station and convenience store was being developed. While other entities may be considering the site, this is the only plan that has been reviewed and approved by Orange County. The site is not within the town's jurisdiction.

The town has issued the needed permits to modify a store in Oakdale Village to accommodate a Jersey Mike’s Subs. The shopping center is located at Old N.C. 86 South and Oakdale Drive. As of March 30, 2017, permits were still pending with the Orange County Building Inspections Division. No schedule for completion is known.

An application has neither been filed with the town nor denied for Chick-fil-A. Sonic’s approval to locate in the Hampton Pointe shopping center has expired, and the applicant has not renewed the approval or acquired the property.

As of March 2017, the town did not have any applications on file for chain grocery stores.