Wake County residents can have their voices heard one last time regarding the Eastern Wake Area Plan, which will shape the future landscape of northeastern Wake County. A final in-person meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Eastern Regional Center in Zebulon, where attendees can engage with planners in an interactive session. The plan covers a vast 46,000-acre territory that about 16,000 residents call home, bounded by Franklin, Johnston, and Nash counties.
During the meeting, the development over the next decade will be the focal point, encompassing residential and commercial buildings, roads, green spaces, farms, and the overall infrastructure. “This is another great way for residents interested in the Eastern Wake area to play an active role in the development of this plan,” Wake County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Don Mial expressed in a statement obtained by Wake County News. He emphasized the importance of community input to ensure the plan reflects the area's needs and values.
The Eastern Wake Area Plan is part of the larger PLANWake initiative, focusing on strategic growth and development. This plan is the fifth out of seven being studied and developed under this comprehensive county effort, following completed plans for Lower Swift Creek, Middle Creek, Lower Neuse, and Western Wake areas.
Residents who wish to contribute but are unable to attend the final meeting still have options to participate. There were previous opportunities to engage with planning staff, including a virtual meeting back in March and an earlier in-person meeting in April. Plus, the public was invited to provide feedback using an online interactive map, allowing for a broader reach of community engagement on the draft plan.
