EDITORIAL: Is more development along Zebulon Road inevitable?

Planning & Zoning disappointed residents of Stone Edge and Ashford Park subdivisions when it approved a $30 million development planned by Sierra Development Group and SPP Commercial Group on Zebulon Road.

While the decision can still be appealed, this development is different from the other battles that have raged along the same area of Zebulon Road, the last with Blackwater Resources. This site is 25 acres and there is no big box anchor. It is a mixed-use development — with commercial, office and 90 percent residential. Three acres of the site will be a park with walking trails. The complex will have garages, a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool.

Residents are, of course, wary. Zebulon Road was a fairly quiet two-lane road 25 years ago, but now it's bustling with commercial activity since its widening in 1998. That and an interstate interchange bring commerce. Will a 241 unit complex impact traffic? Certainly. During certain times of day Zebulon Road at Foster/Bass roads is already congested.

Everyone is looking to maximize their investment, and as other property owners along the Zebulon route decide it's time to move on more properties will open up and more development will occur. Though we are not soothsayers, we would bet Zebulon Road has not seen its last big box development.

The big question before Planning & Zoning should be how can it prevent such developments from becoming another Eisenhower Parkway with hop scotching retailers searching for the next, newest amenity-filled shopping area while leaving the old behind and empty? That is the challenge.

Developers can help with that chore by — instead of luring retailers from other local centers — concentrate on expanding the retailer base with new businesses instead of just shifting the ones already here around.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 5:47 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Is more development along Zebulon Road inevitable? ."