Publisher Observations: Town Council Candidates Take the Stage at Chamber of Commerce Forum
Six candidates for Holly Springs (NC) Town Council addressed growth, zoning, public comment, and community priorities, highlighting both shared themes and key differences in approach.
Note to readers: This story is based on the observations of Holly Springs Update’s publisher’s notes, recollections, and recorded transcript from the Candidate forum. Readers are encouraged to visit each candidate’s website, watch the video when it’s released on the Chamber’s YouTube channel, and take advantage of upcoming in-person opportunities to hear directly from the candidates before casting a ballot in the November 4th non-partisan municipal election.
Holly Springs, NC, Sep. 12, 2025 — The Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce (website) hosted the first of two municipal election forums last night at the Holly Springs Cultural Center, allowing residents to hear directly from six candidates running for Town Council.
The moderated forum followed a structured format with equal time given to each candidate: two-minute opening statements, two-minute responses to resident-submitted questions, and three-minute closing remarks. Questions were finalized by the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee shortly before the event began.
Six candidates participated:
Joe Cuccurullo — joeforhollysprings.com
Annie Drees (incumbent) — anniedrees4hollysprings.com
Tim Forrest (incumbent) — timforrest4hs.com
Kara Foster — karaforcouncil.com
Sarah Larson — larsonforgovernment.com
Josh Prizer — joshforhollysprings.com
The forum covered issues including growth management, land use, public comment procedures, arts funding, and the use of eminent domain. While candidates frequently echoed similar themes around transparency, growth, and community priorities, some responses revealed meaningful differences in approach.
Questions Posed to Candidates
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO):
“If you could change one thing in our Unified Development Ordinance, what would that be and why?”Collaboration & Decision-Making:
“As someone with equal power as other council members, how would you approach decision-making and foster collaboration?”Arts & Culture:
“The creative arts are essential drivers of economic vitality, social connection, and quality of life. Do you support town investment in the arts sector, and how would you work to support and enhance the arts as part of your economic development policies?”Public Comment at Meetings:
“Public comment currently comes at the end of council meetings. Do you think this should remain as-is, or should public comment be moved earlier in the agenda to allow for greater accessibility?”Balanced Growth:
“Holly Springs has grown quickly in recent years, with the population expected to exceed 60,000 within the next five years. What policies would you support to ensure that growth is balanced with infrastructure, services, and community needs?”Eminent Domain / Condemnation of Property:
“Under what circumstances, if any, would you support the town using eminent domain or condemnation of private property for public purposes?”Transportation & Traffic:
“Traffic congestion and road capacity remain concerns for many residents. How should Holly Springs address transportation challenges as the town continues to grow?”Housing Affordability:
“What steps would you take to promote housing diversity and affordability in Holly Springs?”Community Engagement & Transparency:
“How will you ensure residents are informed and have meaningful input before the council makes key decisions?”Closing Statements:
“Each candidate now has three minutes for a closing statement.”
Candidate Response Consensus and Divergence
Broad Consensus:
All candidates agreed that Holly Springs must continue to manage growth carefully rather than allow unchecked development.
Each spoke to the importance of transparency in decision-making and better communication with residents.
Support for arts and cultural programs was unanimous, with candidates viewing them as central to community identity and economic vitality.
Eminent domain was universally described as a tool of last resort, only to be used when essential for public needs and with transparency.
Points of Divergence
1. UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE (UDO)
Question asked: “If you could change one thing in our Unified Development Ordinance, what would that be and why?”
Annie Drees offered detailed suggestions on water resource policy and affordable housing incentives.
Joe Cuccurullo and Josh Prizer proposed introducing more by-right zoning, which could streamline approvals but reduce council oversight.
Others (Foster, Larson, Forrest) emphasized clarity, communication, and long-term vision over structural changes.
Note for readers: By-right zoning means that if a proposed development complies with the zoning code, it is automatically approved without requiring a rezoning or special conditions from the Town Council. This can speed up approvals and lower costs, but it also reduces the town’s ability to negotiate project-specific improvements and limits opportunities for public input.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PLACEMENT IN COUNCIL MEETINGS
Question asked: “Public comment currently comes at the end of council meetings. Do you think this should remain as-is, or should public comment be moved earlier in the agenda to allow for greater accessibility?”
Forrest, Cuccurullo, and Prizer supported keeping public comment at the end of meetings to preserve efficiency.
Larson and Foster argued for moving it earlier to improve accessibility, particularly for seniors and residents who are unable to stay late.
Drees emphasized the need for order and respect in meetings and signaled openness to resident accessibility, though without firmly aligning with either camp.
Balanced Growth
Question asked: “Holly Springs has grown quickly in recent years, with the population expected to exceed 60,000 within the next five years. What policies would you support to ensure that growth is balanced with infrastructure, services, and community needs?”
This question drew agreement in principle but revealed differences in emphasis that reflect the various priorities candidates would bring to the council.
Forrest and Cuccurullo underscored the importance of making developers pay their fair share to cover the infrastructure and service demands created by new projects.
Larson and Foster centered their answers on walkability and sustainability, stressing the need for growth to enhance quality of life rather than simply expand rooftops.
Drees and Prizer pointed to housing diversity and affordability as critical, tying balanced growth not just to infrastructure but also to who can afford to live in town in the future.
While the framing varied, none of the candidates advocated stopping growth outright or allowing it to outpace the town’s ability to provide services. The divergence here lies in which aspect of “balance” each prioritized — cost recovery, quality of life, or affordability.
Stylistic Distinctions
Drees leaned heavily on technical and procedural detail.
Foster and Larson often grounded their responses in accessibility and resident experience.
Forrest drew on his military and council background to frame answers as structured and results-oriented.
Cuccurullo and Prizer spoke in terms of streamlining processes and encouraging smaller developers.
Forum Recap
Overall, while most candidates stayed within the same general policy space, the forum highlighted differences in how they would implement growth management and when residents should have their say in town decisions.
In the coming days, the Chamber will make a video of the forum available on its YouTube channel (link). The Chamber’s 2025 Holly Springs Voters’ Guide is already available to residents (link).
Residents are also reminded that the Chamber’s Candidates for Mayor Forum will be held at the Holly Springs Cultural Center on Thursday, September 18th, at 6:00 PM. Due to space limitations, advance registration is suggested (link).