Full name: Ashit Patel
Party affiliation: Democrat
Campaign website: https://www.patel4morrisville.com
1) In 300 words or less, please give our readers your elevator pitch: Why are you running? Why should voters entrust you with this position? What prior experience will make you an effective member of Morrisville’s town council?
I have been a resident of Morrisville for the past 12 years. My family moved here from Philadelphia in 2012. We considered other cities, but ultimately chose Morrisville for three key reasons: housing affordability, convenient access to everything, and its small-town charm.
Professionally, I work for one of the Big Four firms and have also owned and operated small businesses. Earlier in my life, I had the honor of serving in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, where I drove tanks and built bridges. I was proud to receive the Army Achievement Medal, the Soldier of the Year award, and several other honors, but more than the recognition, I value the lessons I learned – discipline, integrity, responsibility, and service before self.
Over the past decade, rapid high-density development has brought real challenges for Morrisville. Traffic has worsened significantly, and Morrisville’s tree canopy has declined nearly 23%. Today, we have the lowest canopy in the region at just 34%, while also having the highest population density in the region – even higher than Raleigh.
While many neighbors appreciate progress in parks and recreation, they’ve also shared that community concerns often feel overshadowed by the priorities of developers. My goal is to make sure residents’ voices are always front and center, and to preserve the small-town character that drew my family and so many others here.
Growth brings opportunities, but it must be managed responsibly. Again and again, I hear the same concerns: worsening traffic and increasing strain on our environment. If elected, I will work to address these challenges while upholding the values I carried from the Army. With your support, I will ensure that Morrisville grows responsibly, sustainably, and always with the community at the heart of every decision.
2) What would your priorities be as a member of the town council? Please identify three of the most pressing issues Morrisville currently faces and how you believe the town should address them.
Morrisville is now one of the densest communities in the Triangle. Our rapid growth has strained roads, and traffic congestion is consistently the #1 concern I hear from residents. My focus will be to manage growth more responsibly and:
>Push for completion of already-approved transportation projects.
>Work with NCDOT, Goreend surrounding towns to improve regional connectivity.
>Expand safe, local options—like greenways, sidewalks, and public transit—to reduce dependency on cars for every trip.
>Ensure new development pays its fair share for road improvements, rather than putting the burden on residents.
Morrisville has lost nearly 23% of its tree canopy in the past decade, and today we have the lowest canopy in the region—just 34%. Residents are worried that unchecked development is turning our town into a concrete jungle.
I will focus on:
> Maintaining or Strengthening tree-preservation requirements in the development approval process.
>Partner with local and regional organizations to secure land for parks and open space before it’s gone.
>sBalance growth with sustainability, ensuring that future generations inherit a town that values its environment.
3) What’s the best or most important thing the Morrisville town council has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the town should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
Moving the Town Center from planning to construction would be the most important thing the Council has done in the past year.
I support creating a downtown. But given residents’ top concerns, I would have attached clearer conditions to Phase 1A and future phases. For example, minimum on-site canopy/green-infrastructure targets, a dedicated canopy fund or land-acquisition, traffic mitigation triggers, and Smart Shuttle enhancements timed to openings.
4) President Trump is working to ramp up deportations and curtail visas. At the same time, the state legislature has passed laws requiring agencies to cooperate with ICE. What do you think the town council can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies?
Morrisville is one of the most diverse towns in North Carolina, and that diversity is our strength. While immigration policy is set at the federal and state level, our role locally is clear: keep families safe, ensure equal access to services, and build trust between our police and our neighborhoods. My commitment is that Morrisville will remain a welcoming, inclusive community where every resident feels valued.
5) As climate change leads to more intense rainfall, communities are at greater risk of inland flooding, such as the historic floods in parts of the Triangle this summer. How would you like the town council to address climate resilience, particularly flooding?
Heavier rainfall and flooding can cause tremendous damage to our neighborhoods, and we need to plan smarter. On Town Council, I will push for stronger stormwater standards in new developments, and prioritize drainage and flood-control projects in vulnerable areas.
6) Federal funding cuts this year have hit the Triangle particularly hard, from cancelled grants to layoffs, and local government officials are having to make difficult decisions about what to fund and how. What are your ideas for how the town council can prioritize competing funding needs, close funding gaps, and support impacted residents?
7) Describe what sustainable growth and development mean to you in the context of Morrisville’s population growth and the plans for a new town center. Additionally, what is another municipality you believe has made smart decisions related to growth and development that could be similarly implemented in Morrisville?
8) As with most places in the Triangle, Morrisville is grappling with issues related to affordable housing. How would you like to see the town approach affordability issues over the next few years?
Morrisville’s rapid growth has made it harder for families, seniors, and young professionals to afford to stay here. I believe the town should address affordability by supporting workforce housing near transit and jobs, and partnering with developers to include affordable units in new projects. At the same time, we should protect the character of our neighborhoods while making sure Morrisville remains a place where people of all backgrounds and income levels can live and thrive.
9) With its proximity to Durham, Cary, Raleigh, RTP, and RDU, connectivity and transportation are big issues in Morrisville. What should the town be doing to improve transportation and transit infrastructure, from getting road projects funded to investing in public transit projects?
Morrisville sits at the center of the Triangle, so connectivity is critical. To tackle transportation, we need to push state and regional partners to fully fund long-promised road projects, while holding developers accountable for their share of infrastructure costs. At the same time, we must invest in alternatives that reduce congestion, Expanding the Smart Shuttle, improving sidewalks and greenways, and building stronger transit connections to RTP, Cary, and Raleigh would be some of the initiatives to consider.
10) What kinds of amenities would you like to see in Morrisville’s upcoming 25-acre town center project?
I would like to see a green space for concerts and community events, safe walkways and bike paths, and spaces for local businesses and restaurants. I’d also like to see sustainable design. Trees, shaded seating, etc., so the Town Center reflects both our diversity and our commitment to protecting the environment.
11) If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here.
For me, one of the most important issues is integrity in local government. Residents should be confident that every decision is being made in the best interest of the community, not influenced by personal gain. While it may be legally permissible, I don’t believe elected officials should enter into new land or development interests while serving on council, as those could create conflicts of interest. Public service is about putting people first, and I will always approach this role with honesty, transparency, and a commitment to serving our community above all else.
Comment on this story at [email protected].
