Growth Issue Appears Paramount for Apex

Tuesday night, residents packed into town hall to discuss concerns and possible solutions.

"I think it is happening too quickly," says Junior Holt, who has watched the rapid growth from his family's service station on Highway 55. "It went from almost country land to just a big paved parking lot overnight.

The Holts have seen the roads jam up with traffic, and the population explode from fewer than 5,000 people in 1990 to more than 16,000 at present. The amazing growth in Apex drove an overflowing crowd to the meeting. One of the group's biggest concerns was the future of the water supply.

"There is only so much water we can take, and I think we should really cut down on how we want to grow," says resident Ken Dittman.

Apex and Cary share water from Lake Jordan. Mayor Keith Weatherly says in three to five years, Apex will reach its maximum share of the water supply.

"We're going to have to make some major capital expenditures in the next few months or at least commitments to do so, or we will have people moving to Apex that we can't hook up to water and sewer."

Holt just hopes Apex has climbed to its peak.

"We've had enough growth," he said. "I think it's about time to stop and let everything settle down."

Since the meeting was so crowded, town leaders planned another one in the next few weeks. After that meeting, town commissioners will draft a growth plan.