Country Strong Apex

Summary of Protest of Rezoning 3232 HWY 64

TIMELINE

Summary of Protest of Rezoning Case # 12CZ13

December 3 2012- Developers requested rezoning by the Town of Apex for 3232 Hwy 64 from Rural Residential to Tech/Flex. This is 14 acres at the northeast corner of Hwy 64 and Goodwin Road owned by Benjamin Whitley. Case # 12CZ13.

Dec 17- The developer had a required neighborhood meeting with only the adjacent property owners invited (only 5 people on Goodwin Rd.). Developers have described their plan as a family entertainment center with bowling, bumper cars, go-karts, laser tag, video arcade, ball zone, rope course, and a food court inside a 35,000 square foot building. Outside would be go-karts, batting cages, zip-line, putt-putt, soccer fields and 100 to 175 paved parking spaces. The only access would be onto Goodwin Road which has 22 homes that use it as their only access. At the meeting, the stunned neighbors asked only for a fence and for no athletic lighting on the soccer fields. The news of this development filtered into the community well after this meeting.

Jan 10, 2013- A protest petition was signed by several Goodwin Road residents and submitted to Apex.

Jan. 14- Apex Planning Board Meeting- Several neighbors spoke to protest the rezoning, however the Planning Board voted 5-2 to recommend this rezoning to the Apex Town Council. Board members said they could only consider technical aspects but the Town Council could make other considerations and make a final decision.

Jan. 15- Apex Town Council Meeting- Town Council delayed voting on this issue until their Feb. 5 meeting. The Town Planning staff were instructed to trim the list of possible land uses and add buffers around the property by working between the developer and the opponents of the rezoning.

Feb 5, 2013- Residents turn out to speak against rezoning. Rezoning application approved by Apex Town Council, vote of 3 to 2.  However, since a petition was submitted by six property owners within 100’ of the proposed park, a super majority of at least 4 votes was needed for final approval.  Rezoning application denied.