Cary Grants 60 Day Extension For Maplewood School Redevelopment Plans

On November 11, 2025 the Cary town board voted to grant developers an additional 60 days to complete and file formal plans for the redevelopment of the former Maplewood School site. The extension was intended to allow further negotiation and budget work, and to provide space for a more comprehensive submission after previous delays and sustained community discussion.

The redevelopment proposal has evolved over multiple rounds of review, and past plans have envisioned a mix of single family homes, townhomes and multi story apartment buildings. Neighbors and local officials have repeatedly raised concerns about access and infrastructure related to the scale and density of the proposed project. Those concerns have been a central factor in prior extensions and in the board decision to allow more time for the developers to refine their plans.

By delaying the formal filing deadline, the town board aimed to reduce the risk of an incomplete application and to ensure that staff and elected officials have sufficient information to examine traffic access, stormwater management, and utility impacts. Local review processes for projects of this size typically require detailed engineering studies and financial assurances, and the additional 60 days gives developers an opportunity to address those technical requirements while stakeholders continue public dialogue.

For residents of Wake County and Cary the extension means the site will remain in its current condition for the near term while debates about land use continue. The delay also extends uncertainty for adjacent neighborhoods, where property owners are watching for potential changes in traffic patterns and municipal services. At the same time, advocates for new housing options have emphasized the need for carefully planned residential development to meet regional demand, and the proposal's mix of housing types reflects broader efforts to increase housing supply inside established town boundaries.

The town board action followed multiple rounds of public meetings and prior deadline adjustments, illustrating the contested and iterative nature of suburban redevelopment projects. The next weeks will likely include continued negotiation between developers and town staff, further refinement of site access plans, and additional community engagement opportunities. Once a complete application is submitted the town will resume formal review under its land use and permitting timelines.

This episode sits within a wider context of municipalities balancing growth pressures with infrastructure capacity, fiscal responsibilities and neighborhood character. Cary officials and Wake County residents now await the developers final submission, which will determine the scale of review and the specific mitigation measures needed to address access and infrastructure concerns.