How can a fast-growing town balance growth while preserving its unique character?
Indian Trail, one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing communities, is evolving to meet the needs of its residents and businesses. As part of this transformation, WithersRavenel partnered with the Town to update the Indian Trail Downtown Master Plan, originally adopted in 2006.
Using a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, WithersRavenel’s Design + Planning team worked with town staff, local business owners, and residents to shape a shared vision for Downtown Indian Trail. The updated master plan serves as a strategic roadmap for creating a more sustainable, active, and walkable downtown. The plan builds on efforts to improve street safety and looks for ways to better connect downtown with nearby neighborhoods and the wider area.
A key feature of the plan incorporates arts, culture, entertainment, and economic development that celebrate Indian Trail’s diversity while accommodating rapid growth. These initiatives aim to foster a vibrant, livable, and welcoming community.
Also, the plan introduces:
- Architectural dimensional standards
- Massing guidelines
- Diverse housing options
- Public spaces
- Revised parking standards
- Streetscape enhancements
- Complete street criteria to improve bike and pedestrian access
Rather than outlining a rigid vision, the plan provides a flexible framework to guide downtown development and activation. For evaluating future development scenarios, WithersRavenel created an interactive 3D model, allowing real-time analysis of different planning concepts and their potential impacts.