Council adopts Central Avenue / Gate 2 corridor study to guide streetscape and future grants

The Butner Town Council unanimously approved the Butner Corridor (Gate 2) Central Avenue study on Aug. 6, adopting a streetscape and corridor guidance document intended to shape future development and support grant funding.

Planning Director Jennifer Ganzer told the council the study is guidance, not a binding code: "This plan is not a binding document, which means... we don't have to do every recommendation in that plan." She said the planning board recommended approval after prior workshop discussion and that the plan will be posted on the town website. Councilmembers questioned bike‑lane placement and sidewalk continuity; staff said any future bike‑path or sidewalk work would require engineering study and could be staged over time.

Staff also noted the town has on‑call engineers capable of designing sidewalks and bike facilities if grants are sought, and that the corridor plan could support competitive grant applications. Councilmember Schenck moved adoption, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Daniels; the motion carried by voice vote.

The town said the corridor study will be used as a policy guide for landscaping and streetscape enhancements as development comes forward and to strengthen future grant applications for multimodal improvements.