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49 <br /> • slightly over one acre. Development of the Stoney Creek <br /> subdivision started in 1978, featuring lots ranging from three to <br /> over five acres in size. The Wyngate subdivision, consisting of <br /> one to two-acre parcels, opened during 1989. <br /> Similar subdivision development across Orange County created the <br /> need for new schools. New Hope Elementary School, located at the <br /> corner of NC 86 and New Hope Church Road, was completed in 1991. <br /> The new A. L. Stanback Middle School opened in 1995 and is located <br /> on NC 86 just north of the elementary school. <br /> During the last two decades, the Research Triangle of North <br /> Carolina became of the country's most rapidly growing areas. <br /> Today, the growth that has resulted from the Triangle' s livability <br /> and strong economy threatens to forever alter the character and <br /> appeal of many of the area' s traditional communities. Likewise, <br /> Stoney Creek' s desirability as a location for residential <br /> development has dramatically increased growth pressures there. <br /> Local concerns over growth issues reached a climax in June 1992 <br /> when the University Station development was proposed. The vacant <br /> land in this area had been slated for development for several <br /> years, but this proposal, which would create a 600-acre "neo- <br /> traditional village" with over 1100 lots, a high-density core area <br /> with mixed housing, an 18-hole golf course, and a 25-acre public <br /> park, galvanized the community. Opponents to the proposal <br /> believed the scale of University Station would cause traffic <br /> problems, degrade the natural environment, and destroy the rural <br /> character of the Stoney Creek basin. Despite numerous studies and <br /> reports, public hearings, and the creation of a University Station <br /> planning work group, the divisive issues of density, land use, <br /> open space preservation, and annexation by Hillsborough were not <br /> resolved to the satisfaction of either the community or the <br /> University Station development consortium. Ultimately, the <br /> proponents withdrew their village proposal and are in the process <br /> of developing low-density residential subdivisions that will <br /> encompass the remaining 800 acres of open land near New Hope <br /> Church Road and Old NC 10. <br /> Many Stoney Creek residents believe the University Station <br /> proposal was a turning point in their community's future. Even <br /> though the development concept proved unsuccessful, it <br /> unquestionably heightened community awareness of land-use planning <br /> issues. As a result of the University Station issue, the Board of <br /> 5 <br />