Cary #6 Best Real Estate Market, Cary has 4 of Top 15 High Schools in NC, 3RNET, Council Work Session, and Council Meeting

Cary #6 Best Real Estate Market in the Nation

WalletHub ranked Cary as the 6th-best real estate market in the nation, a reflection of the town’s strong housing market, affordability, and thriving economy.

To determine its rankings, WalletHub compared 300 cities across two key dimensions: “Real Estate Market” and “Affordability & Economic Environment.” These dimensions were evaluated using 17 relevant metrics, with each metric scored on a 100-point scale. A score of 100 represents the healthiest housing market.

WalletHub then calculated a weighted average across all 17 metrics to determine each city’s overall score and rank. Cities were also categorized by population size: large cities have more than 300,000 residents, midsize cities have 150,000 to 300,000 residents, and small cities have fewer than 150,000 residents.

Cary’s high ranking comes as little surprise. The town combines relative affordability with a strong and growing economy, making it an attractive place to live, work, and invest in real estate. To read the entire report go here.

Cary Has 4 of Top 15 High Schools

U.S. News & World Report noted that Cary is home to four of the top 15 high schools in North Carolina. Wake STEM Early College High School ranked fourth, Green Level High School ranked eighth, Green Hope High School ranked eleventh, and Triangle Math and Science Academy ranked fifteenth.

It is encouraging to see that education remains a priority in Cary, continuing the legacy of our community’s founders, who helped establish North Carolina’s first public high school.

Latest Real Estate Stats

I received the latest Cary real estate stats from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services York Simpson Underwood Realty on Tuesday:

• 783 homes for sale in the last 30 days
• 183 homes sold in the last 30 days
• 116 homes new to market
• 39 average days on market
• $727,350 average home price in the last 30 days
• $723,792 average sold price in the last 30 days

3RNET

Tuesday morning, I had the pleasure of welcoming attendees to the national 3RNET Conference, held right here in Cary. I was honored to read a proclamation recognizing August 25 as 3RNET Day.

3RNET is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening healthcare access in rural and underserved communities through strategic workforce recruitment, retention, and incentive initiatives.

This conference brought together national leaders, state partners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and advance innovative workforce solutions that improve access to quality healthcare.

We are truly blessed to have so many dedicated people who care deeply about others and are willing to tackle some of the most challenging issues facing healthcare today. Cary was honored to serve as a host city for this important conference, and we are grateful to everyone who came together to make it a success.

Council Work Session

Thursday evening, the Council held a work session to discuss creating a new policy, Policy 191, by moving the rules of decorum from an existing policy, Policy 143.

The Council also received an update on the Citizen’s Convenience Center and established a Council committee to address recommendations from our auditor, Womble Bond Dickinson, and the State Auditor.

By the way, I think it is important to point out that the Council meal provided that evening was pizza. Most often, it is either pizza or sandwiches from Jimmy John’s. That has been the practice throughout all my years on the Council. We do not have elaborate or extravagant meals, despite what some may have you believe.

Policy 191 was created with no changes to our current practices. Staff reminded us that the existing policy references North Carolina General Statute 143-318.17, which states that anyone who willfully disturbs, disrupts, or interrupts a public meeting may be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor if they refuse to desist or leave after being requested to do so by the mayor. In my 23 years on the Council, including 19 years as Mayor, that provision has never had to be used.

Staff provided an update on Cary’s Convenience Center, which will have to give up much of its current land because the facility was located within a railroad right-of-way in the 1950s. In April, the Council approved the creation of a new food and yard waste drop-off site at a cost of $525,000. Beginning December 31, the current site will be converted to accept only food and yard waste. The Town will provide signs and informational materials to help residents understand where they can take other types of materials for disposal.

The Council created a subcommittee to review and address recommendations made by our auditor, Womble Bond Dickinson, and the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor. The subcommittee’s scope of work includes the following:

• CB 03 – Annual Independent Audit: Consider developing a comprehensive policy addressing allowable expenses, including conferences, training, technology stipends, car allowances, and tuition reimbursement, as well as documentation and approval requirements.
• CB 04 – Annual Independent Audit: Consider adopting a policy that establishes participation limits, identifies which expenses may be publicly funded, and requires participants to identify measurable goals tied to Town priorities, such as economic development.
• OSA 02 – N.C. Office of the State Auditor: Develop a policy governing meal expenses incurred during Council travel.
• OSA 08 – N.C. Office of the State Auditor: Develop a policy covering reimbursement for Council training and education. The policy should address Council preapproval, reimbursement limits, and completion of the training or education before reimbursement is provided.
• WBD 12 – Cary Town Council Special Commission Report: Include fiduciary obligations in the Town Manager’s contract. As part of the Town Manager’s annual review, the Town Manager should certify compliance with the ICMA Code of Ethics. The Town Council should also provide a similar certification of compliance with its adopted Code of Ethics.
• Other areas: The subcommittee will also review car allowances, Council compensation, and Council benefits.

The subcommittee will consist of the Mayor, Council Member Kohn-Johnson, and Council Member Richards. Other Council members will serve as alternates when a subcommittee member is unable to attend.

The subcommittee’s first meeting will be September 8 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in person and streamed for the public to watch. At its first meeting, the subcommittee will determine the schedule and frequency of future meetings.

Council Meeting

The council held its final meeting of August on Thursday night. The agenda included 20 consent items, two public hearings, one discussion item, and a closed session.

It is worth noting that the consent agenda will now include significantly more items following the council’s adoption of a policy requiring all contracts over $750,000 to be placed on the agenda for a public vote. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

The first public hearing focused on whether the council should establish an 18-month moratorium on data centers. During the discussion, I shared observations from a data center I visited in County Meath, Ireland.

Several aspects of the facility stood out to me:

• One-third of Ireland’s electricity is now used by data centers.
• Ireland now requires data centers to bring their own power.
• Although the facility I visited draws electricity from the national grid, Meta offsets its total annual usage through off-site clean energy contracts. They highlighted one solar farm where sheep are used to maintain the grass.
• The site encompasses dozens of acres, with berms along the property line to help mitigate noise.
• Water is recycled multiple times through the facility’s internal systems. Water availability, however, is not a significant issue in Ireland.
• Internally, 92% of the facility’s waste is diverted from landfills through recycling and other waste-management practices.
• Meta maintains a community grant fund focused on projects such as local STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education, sustainable community programs, and the use of technology for local benefit. Since 2019, €4.8 million has been awarded through the program.
• Meta representatives stated that they would not attempt to locate a facility in an area where they are not wanted.
• The particular data center I visited is estimated to generate €2.2 billion in economic impact annually, along with hundreds of jobs.

I believe these are the types of standards and guidelines we should be considering as we discuss data centers in our community. My hope is that, during the 18-month moratorium, we can develop a comprehensive set of guidelines like what I saw in Ireland, guidelines that address energy, water, noise, environmental impacts, economic benefits, and community investment.

After a lengthy discussion, the council unanimously approved the 18-month moratorium.

The second public hearing addressed an annexation request from the owner of the property at 4312 Jacobs Creek Lane. The annexation would allow the site to connect to Cary utilities in connection with a rezoning request (25-REZ-16) for a maximum of 16 detached dwellings. There were no speakers during the public hearing, and the council will make a decision on the annexation when it considers the rezoning request.

The only discussion item was a proposal to limit parking on Cedar Street, from North Academy Street to Walker Street, to improve safety. The proposal was approved unanimously. It should be noted that Cedar Street is located within the railroad right-of-way.

The council meeting concluded after a closed session that lasted over an hour.

Town Manager’s Report

Council,

It was great seeing everyone this week.

It was bittersweet to see so many current and former Councilmembers and staff today at Ed Yerha’s service, and it made me reflect on all the work we’ve done together and the relationships that come from doing that work. Ed gave a lot of his time to Cary over the years, and I know he cared deeply about this community and its history. Ed was certainly part of the Cary family, and he will be missed. I’m glad I had the pleasure of working alongside him during his years in office.

I hope everyone has a good weekend and gets a chance to spend some time with the people who are important to you.

Russ Overton

Interim Town Manager

New Traffic Signal at High House Road and Bond Park Drive

Contractors installed metal mast arm poles this week for the new traffic signal at High House Road and Bond Park Drive. The signal will operate in temporary flashing mode beginning the week of September 7 to give drivers time to adjust, with full activation scheduled for the week of September 14. Once the signal is operational, contractors will install a median on Maury O’Dell Drive to prohibit left turns onto High House Road and redirect those movements to the new signal. The approximately $1.4 million project, including work on Maury O’Dell Drive, is funded with transportation-restricted revenue.

Optimist Farm Road Pedestrian and Traffic Improvements Complete

This week, pedestrian and traffic improvements along Optimist Farm Road and West Lake Road were completed. The approximately $2.5 million project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It added 1,500 feet of sidewalk along Optimist Farm Road between Glade Hill Drive and West Lake Road and a new traffic signal with pedestrian-activated crosswalks at Glade Hill Drive. The existing signal at West Lake Road and Optimist Farm Road was also upgraded with new metal mast arms. The improvements strengthen pedestrian connections for students, families, and residents traveling between nearby schools and neighborhoods.

Campbell Road Water Connection Complete

Construction is complete on the Campbell Road Water Main Connection, which extends an existing water main approximately 650 feet from the southeast end of Cary Parkway to Campbell Road. The connection replaced a dead end with a loop in the water system, improving reliability and water quality along the system’s eastern edge while eliminating the need for supplemental flushing. The $257,923 project was funded through the Utility Fund.

Stormwater Pond Maintenance at Downtown Cary Park Complete

Downtown Cary Park staff completed stormwater pond maintenance work this week. Pond draining was performed as part of routine maintenance to support the park’s landscape and wildlife. Work included inspecting and clearing drain grates, thinning aquatic vegetation, and replacing missing rocks. The pond is being refilled and should be full by the end of the week.

Annual Wastewater System Performance Report Available

Cary’s Annual Wastewater Report is now available, providing an overview of the collection and treatment system serving Cary, Morrisville, Wake County’s portion of Research Triangle Park (RTP), and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The report summarizes fiscal year 2026 system performance, including the treatment of 7.18 billion gallons of wastewater, maintenance, and regulatory compliance at Cary’s three water reclamation facilities. It also explains sewer lateral responsibilities, how to report potential issues, and how residents and businesses can help protect the system.

2035 Wake Bus Plan Update Focus Group

This week, community members attended a Wake Bus Plan focus group at the Senior Center to discuss transit priorities and provide feedback on potential fixed-route and microtransit concepts in western and southern Cary. Participants identified more frequent service, stronger regional connections, and continued fare-free service as priorities. The 2035 Wake Bus Plan will guide the investment of more than $1 billion in transit funding between 2028 and 2035 in Wake County.

Lazy Daze Recap

The 50th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival drew thousands of residents and visitors to Town Hall Campus last weekend, celebrating a half-century milestone with more than 250 artists from 22 states, four entertainment stages, and more than 25 food and beverage vendors. Staff responded proactively to changing weather conditions, ending Friday’s artist load-in early and coordinating a rolling start Saturday morning to keep the event on track. New digital vendor load-in passes and revised traffic and staging procedures improved arrivals and reduced road blockages near the Cedar Street parking deck. Lazy Daze remains a beloved community tradition, and this year’s operational improvements set a strong foundation for the next 50 years.

Important Dates

Environmental Advisory Board
Tuesday, September 1
6:00 p.m.

Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, September 1
6:00 p.m.

Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, September 2
12:00 p.m.

Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, September 2
6:30 p.m.

Dashboard of Recommendations by Cherry Bekaert, OSA, and Womble Bond Dickinson

The latest updates on the Town’s actions in response to recommendations from Cherry Bekaert, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA), and Womble Bond Dickinson are available on the Town’s Moving Forward Dashboard. There are 39 recommendations in total. This link gives the progress on each of those recommendations:

https://www.carync.gov/connect-engage/newsroom/bottom-line/moving-forward-dashboard

You can also sign up to receive notifications whenever the dashboard is updated.

Council Initiated Items

The council has a process that allows members to introduce items for discussion at meetings, often leading to further action. Given the recent increase in these requests, I will begin sharing them here along with my perspective on their pros and cons.

Sell Properties at 600 and 604 Kildaire Farm Road

I submitted this item and Council member Bansal provided the second. It will be addressed at a future meeting.

The following is my reasoning:

“Good government depends on transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. When significant real estate purchases are made despite staff recommendations against acquisition, or when information about those purchases was not fully communicated to the entire Town Council or the public, it raises legitimate questions about the decision-making process. Even if the purchases were made with good intentions, the appearance of limited transparency can undermine public confidence.

Selling the properties would accomplish several important objectives.

First, it would return public funds that could be redirected toward higher priority needs such as transportation improvements, parks, public safety, stormwater infrastructure, or reducing future tax and fee pressures. Every dollar tied up in property without a defined public purpose is a dollar unavailable for more immediate community priorities.

Second, selling the properties would demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Holding them simply because they have already been purchased is not sound financial management. Decisions should be based on current public value, not past expenditures.

Third, a sale would reinforce the principle that major financial decisions deserve full transparency. Residents expect elected officials to have complete information before voting on expenditures involving public funds. If there are concerns that the full Council or the public did not receive sufficient information before these purchases, the appropriate response is to correct course openly rather than continue defending a questionable decision.

Finally, selling the properties would provide an opportunity to rebuild public trust. The Town could conduct a transparent process that includes an independent appraisal, public disclosure of the financial impacts of the purchase and sale, and an open discussion of alternative uses for the proceeds. Such a process would demonstrate that Cary is committed to accountability and evidence-based decision-making.

The question should not be whether the Town can justify a past decision, but whether continuing to own these properties represents the best use of taxpayer resources today. If the answer is no, which I believe it is, the responsible course of action is to sell them through an open and competitive process and reinvest the proceeds in priorities that provide clear, measurable benefits to the entire community.”

PROS:

• Frees up public funds.
• Demonstrates fiscal discipline.
• Reinforces transparency and accountability.
• Helps in restoring public confidence.
• Reduces carrying costs.

CONS:

• The town could lose future strategic opportunities.
• There is potential for financial loss.
• Loss of control over development.
• Missed appreciation.
• Selling could limit future flexibility.

Partnering with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements

This proposal was submitted by Council Member Bansal, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28^th Council meeting.

Several schools in Cary, particularly middle schools and high schools, are experiencing transportation safety concerns on and around school property. While the schools are responsible for transportation operations on campus and NCDOT oversees roadway infrastructure decisions, progress on improvements has been slow and resident complaints have continued to increase. This proposal would direct staff to work collaboratively with the schools on programs and strategies to help address these concerns.

PROS:

• Allows the Town to take a more proactive role, even when we are not the primary decision-maker.
• Responds to growing community concerns regarding school transportation safety.

CONS:

• The Town is currently understaffed, so this effort could require shifting staff resources away from other projects.
• Potential solutions could result in additional costs to taxpayers if Cary contributes funding toward implementation.

E-Bike Safety

This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It was part of our June 23^rd work session.

The council initially launched a pilot program in June 2022 to allow e-bikes. After a one-year trial period, the program was made permanent, with a posted speed limit of 15 mph on greenways. Recently, however, there have been complaints that e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices are traveling at excessive speeds and creating potentially hazardous conditions.

PROS:

• We are listening to our citizens’ complaints.
• Preventing e-bikes and scooters will possibly make greenways safer.

CONS:

• There is basically no way to enforce an ordinance that has e-bikes or not.
• Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
• We are revisiting a decision that was made after a one-year trial and review of data.

Council will vote on a draft ordinance of this later this year.

Smoke Free Ordinance

This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16^th meeting. It was part of our June 23^rd work session.

PROS:

• Eliminates toxic secondhand smoke.
• Current ordinance does not match state law and Raleigh/Wake ordinance.

CONS:

• Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.

Council will vote on options to add to the current ordinance later this year.

Affordable Housing on Old Library Site

This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Bush and Council Member Bansal, would place a podium-style parking deck with affordable housing on the former library site. This has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.

PROS:

• Adds parking across from Downtown Cary Park.
• Create affordable housing units in the downtown area.

CONS:

• May underutilize one of the municipality’s most valuable properties. Downtown Cary Park generates approximately $16 million annually in economic impact, and this site could represent an opportunity for a more transformative use.
• The town has already invested millions in renovating the Ivey-Ellington House, positioning this area as a premier destination.

Mayor’s Mailbox

• A few expressions of hate via emails, social media, etc. about what was reported by the State Auditor. Most believe I was knowledgeable, compliant, and/or responsible even if I knew nothing. (No, I was the whistleblower) I will not post any of the nastiness. I am sure it is easy to find with a search.
• A comment about my trip to Ireland where no taxpayer dollars were used: “I watched the council meeting where you stated that you went to Ireland and did not spend taxpayer dollars. I am sure that is a lie.” (Sorry you feel that way. You can always make a public record request to see if any taxpayer dollars were used.)
• A comment about properties on 600 and 604 Kildaire: “WRAL news reported that you want to sale the land purchased on Kildaire by the former town manager. You are just trying to save face. I don’t trust the council and I don’t trust you.” (Sorry you feel that way. This property was acquired without my knowledge or the knowledge of the rest of the Council. In fact, staff recommended against the purchase. Nevertheless, one Council member apparently persuaded the former Town Manager to move forward with the acquisition for the purpose of affordable housing. My position is that we need to take a thoughtful look at this property, as well as other properties the Town has purchased, and determine whether they continue to serve a legitimate public purpose. We will review the properties, assess their value, and consider the needs and interests of our citizens before making any decisions. It is unfortunate that WRAL has only now picked up on something that has been publicly discussed on my blog for weeks and presented it as though the Town is suddenly taking action. I would encourage everyone to look beyond the headlines and consider the full facts. In my experience, WRAL has show more interest in creating controversy than providing the complete context surrounding an issue.)
• Several complaints about the tragedy on Ederlee Drive where someone sadly lost their life.
• A complaint that an upcoming meeting called “Muffins With the Mayor” at the Hive only held a limited number of people wanting me to increase allowed attendance. (I am sure this is a safety and staffing issue. I have no part in scheduling or who attends).
• Several comments for and against a moratorium on data centers.
• A complaint that I am “not acting and being transparent regarding the safety of Black Residents”.
• A complaint about the safety at the intersection of Haddonfield Lane and Ashley Brook Court.
• A request to require battery powered leaf blowers (All municipal authority comes from the legislature. We do not have that authority.)
• A very nice compliment:

“…

Don’t expect you to remember, but we do get to see you a few times each year. I’ve got to say, you know your stuff. You are connected to the community in a rare and wonderful way.

But now, oh boy. What havoc a few people out of 200K can bring down on you and the town.

I thought about what you’re going through and remembered back I was in student government at Texas State University in 1975, when we ran into the hailstorm. Nothing like what you’re going through. But still. Being a sailor, my dad gave me this story to help right the ship and even the keel.

In days when ships were small, someone wrote of one vessel caught in a violent storm off a treacherous, rocky coast. The passengers huddled together, and the wind paused as if to catch its breath. High running seas tossed and rolled the ship, bruising the passengers against the furniture and walls.

At first, frightened women uttered low prayers, while men tried to build up morale with jokes. But as the hours wore on, terror seized them all, and they stared at one another in silent, hopeless despair. Finally, one man could stand the strain no longer. He swore he would seek out the pilot of the ship and learn the worst.

If they were doomed, he would jump overboard and be drowned at once, rather than endure longer the torture of suspense. He fought his way slowly along a wind-whipped passage until he reached a point where he could see the pilot, lashed to the wheel. The pilot saw him, caught the question in his eyes, and smiled. The passenger lost all thought of jumping overboard.

He fought his way back to the white-faced men and women below deck. His own countenance beamed confidence as he shouted above the storm. “We have nothing to be afraid of. I just saw the pilot, and he smiled at me!”

Both confidence and fear are contagious. In any crisis, people look to leadership for courage. If leaders are brave and alert, the people take heart; if they are alarmed and uncertain, the people grow panicky.

You, sir, have always inspired confidence and courage to do the right thing, and for that, my wife and I thank you.

Keep after it. We’re here for you.

…”

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a meeting with a Hindu leader, the Veolia Pickleball National Championship, and hopefully a meeting with the Stanley Cup. My next post will be on Sunday, September 6th, 2026. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov. Note that all emails sent to me in my role as mayor are public documents.

How Cary Government Works

Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina and most mid-sized cities in the U.S., uses a council–manager form of government. This system works a lot like a company, but for local government. Residents elect a council and a mayor, who set policy by passing laws, approving the budget, and guiding the town’s overall priorities. The council then hires a professional manager to run the town’s day-to-day operations.

Think of it like a company: the council acts like a board of directors, making policy and representing the public, while the city manager acts like a CEO, overseeing all departments, such as finance, public works, police, and fire, and managing town staff. The mayor leads council meetings, represents the town publicly, and has limited executive authority. While the council and mayor make policy decisions and receive regular reports, they usually see only high-level summaries rather than the detailed inner workings of each department.

In short, just as a board hires a CEO to run a company, Cary’s council hires a manager to run the town, ensuring professional management while elected officials focus on big-picture decisions and community priorities.

You can find additional information about how Cary’s government works on the town’s website here.

Purpose of this Blog

It is my hope that this blog will provide insight not only into who I am meeting with on behalf of the Town, but also the topics we discuss. I believe strongly in open and transparent government. This blog is one of several initiatives I implemented when I became mayor in 2007 to make the governmental process more accessible to our citizens.

This blog is written with sincerity, honesty, and a commitment to accuracy so our constituents can better understand the work we do. After all, we work for them!