[4:03] Hello everybody. It's good to see everyone here today

[4:07] attending uh this meeting uh for the business of our town. You're certainly

[4:12] quite welcome. Uh, I am Mayor William Harris and as we always I'm I'm calling

[4:18] the meeting to order and would you please stand for the invocation. Thank

[4:24] you.

[4:28] Heavenly Father, we are grateful for this day. We are dependent on your grace

[4:32] and mercy as we welcome this opportunity to conduct the business of the town of

[4:39] Fugquway Arena. Grant each of us wisdom and insight as we seek to respond to the

[4:46] needs of our community and citizens. Help us to maintain encouragement,

[4:53] always abiding in your promises that through humility and obedience, your

[5:00] will can be expressed through us. Let us each be teachable as we learn how

[5:06] to be better elected officials for the citizens of our community. We humbly

[5:13] pray. Amen. >> Amen.

[5:16] » Now we will have the pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Charlie

[5:19] Adcock. I pledge algiance to the flag of the

[5:25] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

[5:32] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[5:38] » Thank you. You may be seated.

[6:00] At this time, I will ask town manager Adam Mitchell to review the meeting

[6:04] protocol for public participation as it relates to this meeting.

[6:10] » Thank you, Mayor. Good evening. Good evening to be uh it's good to be with

[6:12] the board this evening. Tonight's town board meeting will be held both in

[6:16] person and livereamed on the town's YouTube channel and Facebook page.

[6:19] Tonight's meeting includes a public comment period and six scheduled public

[6:23] hearings. The public is invited to comment in person. When it is the

[6:27] appropriate time, Mayor Harris will call on those wishing to address the town

[6:31] board. All attendees who have appeared in person to address the town board

[6:35] during the public comment period should provide their name and address on the

[6:38] green registration sheet by the podium before the public comment period begins.

[6:44] All attendees who appear in person to address the town board during a

[6:47] scheduled public hearing should provide their name and address on the white

[6:50] registration sheet by the podium. We ask all those wishing to address the town

[6:55] board either during the public comment period or a scheduled public hearing to

[6:59] begin their comments by clearly stating their name and address for the public

[7:02] record. The public is asked to keep all comments to three minutes so that all

[7:06] who wish to speak may be heard in a timely manner. To be respectful of those

[7:10] who may have different views on matters addressed by the town board, we ask that

[7:13] all in attendance respect the decorum of the meeting by refraining from clapping,

[7:18] making loud noises, and generally showing support or displeasure for

[7:22] comments made during the public comment period or public hearings. Police Chief

[7:27] Smith will be asked to escort from the boardroom anyone not respecting the

[7:31] process. And it is the discretion of the mayor as presiding officer whether to

[7:35] continue the public comment and or public hearing periods if the meeting

[7:38] protocol is not followed. And this concludes the protocol for tonight's

[7:42] meeting. >> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Thank you.

[7:46] » Item 3A, approval of the minutes of the August

[7:51] 3rd meeting town board of commissioner regular our regular schedule meeting. Do

[7:55] I have a motion to approve those minutes? Are are there any corrections?

[7:59] » Mr. Mr. Mayor, I make a motion to approve the minutes of the August 3rd,

[8:03] 2026 Town Board of Commissioner regular schedule meeting as presented.

[8:07] » Second. >> Second.

[8:10] » Any discussion? If not, all in favor of the motion, let

[8:15] it be known by saying I. >> I.

[8:17] » Any oppose? Eyes have it. Motion carries. Thank you so much.

[8:23] With the next item, item 4A, it gives me great pleasure to introduce

[8:29] the mayor's health and wellness council. Uh one of the things that uh is so

[8:36] exciting about um this agenda item for me is that uh for several years I worked

[8:43] with the division of mental health and substance abuse and intellectual

[8:50] developmental disabilities. And one of the things that I I learned

[8:55] in that capacity is the number of of people, citizens,

[9:02] residents who have needs oftent times that are ignored or either they have

[9:08] difficulty coming forth because of the stigma often associated with the

[9:14] vulnerabilities that result from mental health challenges or other challenges as

[9:19] well as those physical health challenges. that impact a lot of

[9:24] communities. So I I broke it down as a as a as a elected official who's

[9:31] committed to providing

[9:35] a sense of leadership and direction to talk about the issue of health in our

[9:41] community. It it it breaks down very simple. If you have a healthy

[9:46] individual, there's a good possibility you'll have a healthy family. And if you

[9:51] have a healthy family, you'll have a health healthy community. So out of that

[9:57] desire, I was fortunate enough to be sort of introduced or led to people who

[10:03] had the same mindset, who had a vision of what this could be in regards to a

[10:09] mayor's initiative to keep to the forefront of the public the importance

[10:14] of mental health, the importance of physical health, and the importance of

[10:19] primary care for a community. Because we as elected officials, we can

[10:26] promagate legislation. We can do those kinds of things, but the direct impact

[10:31] on the quality of life in a community is associated with the health of a

[10:37] community. And as mayor, I wanted to convey that message to the community at

[10:43] large through a mayor's health council. And we have some members of that council

[10:50] who are here today who I would love to introduce if uh they would come forth

[10:58] and I want you to meet a couple of members of the council. We have five

[11:02] members. We have two present today and I I want them to introduce themselves

[11:07] briefly so you can talk about what the [clears throat] health council has been

[11:12] doing over the last six months. We've done a lot in the area of prevention,

[11:17] intervention, advocacy, as well as bringing forth a lot of conversation

[11:23] about the importance of community health or either a healthy community. So, I'd

[11:29] like to introduce Dr. Don Johannes and Dr. Priyanka Pthula to the community.

[11:35] And if um you all want to say something briefly about yourselves to the

[11:40] community, I would appreciate it. Couple of minutes and you can use the mic

[11:43] there. Is that o is that okay? Um Scott. Yeah. Good.

[11:47] » Scott have you. >> Um good evening everyone. Good evening

[11:50] Mayor Harris. Good evening town board members. And good evening Fuqua Verina

[11:56] community. It is a pleasure and a sheer delight for us to be here. I am a

[12:02] retired high school educator. I am a wellness coach. I am a breast cancer

[12:06] survivor and I am a fugqua vinian. [laughter]

[12:12] And I just want to talk about um basically the the council was

[12:17] established in February of this year and we are still a work in progress. But

[12:23] there's one thing that we as our council members we hold on to is one simple

[12:28] belief. And that belief that we hold on to is that when Fquay Verina is healthy,

[12:37] Fquaver Varina is stronger. How many of us want a stronger Fugqua Verina? A

[12:42] healthier frauina that offers a quality of life. So I'm

[12:49] going to decrease but to let you know we are working diligently. We are working

[12:53] consistently. We have attended several uh fugqua verina events. Uh we are

[12:59] planning some dynamic events. We have a dynamic

[13:03] diverse council of professional experienced knowledgeable

[13:10] individuals who are concerned about the health of fquay verinians. Thank you so

[13:17] much for this opportunity and now I shall defer it to my colleague.

[13:22] » Thank you. >> Good evening everybody. My name is Dr.

[13:26] Priyanka Pantila. I'm a dentist and an owner at United Smiles Family Dental

[13:31] right here in Fugway. As a healthc care provider, I see that the health everyday

[13:36] health does begin at our homes. Um not in healthcare facilities. It begins it

[13:42] at our homes and our daily choices and at senior centers. So this is what the

[13:48] council is all about. It's about reaching to people before the illness

[13:51] does. I'm really honored to work along with uh Mayor Harris and the team to

[13:57] help build a healthier fugu verina for every family and every child and every

[14:02] senior who calls this town home. Thank you so much. I'm really looking forward

[14:07] to work with you, mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Have a good one.

[14:11] » Thank you. Thank you so much. [applause] I appreciate you so much.

[14:18] » We have one more person who is absent, Andy Curtis, who works with the uh Wake

[14:24] mental health. Uh she is not here. She's a community liaison who has volunteered

[14:29] and and and uh one other person, Chai, uh is not here as well. But we have

[14:36] currently four outstanding volunteers who are helping to ignite this

[14:41] initiative that I think is going to be and I really believe from the bottom of

[14:45] my heart beneficial to all the citizens here in Fugqua Verina. So thank you.

[14:49] Thank you very much. Thank you all so much for your time. Thank you.

[14:58] And and now I'm going to move to item 4B, presentations. A resolution, fire

[15:03] department, fire helmet retirement presentation,

[15:07] battalion chief William Garland Johnston, and fire captain uh number two

[15:12] Sam Golitly. More information about this agenda item will be presented by Fire

[15:18] Chief Jones. >> Good evening. Good evening, mayor,

[15:21] commissioners, managers. >> Um thank you for uh allowing us to to be

[15:25] here tonight. Uh tonight we recognize two extraordinary leaders who after more

[15:32] than 50 years of combined service to our community have decided to hang up their

[15:36] boots, give their bodies some rest, and spend some more quality time with their

[15:41] families. Uh Battalion Chief Garland Johnston and Captain Sam Gollightly.

[15:47] On July 29th, family, friends, and staff gathered at Fire Station 4 to celebrate

[15:53] the service of Battalion Chief Garland Johnston. And just a short eight days

[15:58] later on August the 6th, family, friends, and staff gathered again at

[16:02] Fire Station 4 to celebrate the service of Captain Sam Gollightly.

[16:07] Since Since both requested the same menu and the same program,

[16:12] quite a few cheeseburgers, baked beans, and chips were prepared and eaten at

[16:17] station 4 over a very short 8-day period. Um, but I want to thank each one

[16:21] of you who were able to attend and show your support for these two class acts,

[16:25] and it truly meant a lot to both of them. And while those lunches gave us

[16:30] time to reminisce, laugh, and share some stories, tonight is an opportunity to

[16:35] formally honor their service to the town.

[16:42] For more than 30 years, with 25 of them being right here in Fugquway Arena,

[16:46] Battalion Chief Johnston has faithfully protected our community while helping to

[16:51] lead our department through years of incredible growth. Over the years, Chief

[16:56] Johnston has earned multiple department awards and citations, was named our

[17:01] employee of the year in 2005, and promoted to battalion chief in 2010.

[17:06] Garland has educated countless firefighters on the importance of being

[17:11] prepared and training the next generation to ensure everyone goes home

[17:15] safely at the end of their shift. And for more than 26 years of dedicated

[17:20] service as both a career and a volunteer firefighter, Captain Gollightly has

[17:25] faithfully answered the call when needed while serving with true professionalism

[17:30] since day one. Throughout his career, Captain Gollightly has also earned

[17:35] numerous department awards and citations. Was named our employee of the

[17:39] year in 2015 and promoted to captain in 2010. Sam has trained and mentored

[17:46] numerous firefighters over the years and has never lost the true excitement and

[17:51] the twinkle in his eye when responding to someone in need. They both have

[17:56] definitely left their mark on our town and our department. And although the

[18:02] years of service are milestones, the real impact of these two professionals

[18:07] is how they treated people. They have helped shape the culture in our

[18:11] stations, cared for and protected our community, and mentored just about

[18:17] everyone that served with them. And for me personally, they have been two good

[18:21] friends that I will miss dearly. Mayor, before I move to the resolution,

[18:26] I would like to give each one of our retirees a moment to share a few

[18:30] remarks, starting with uh Chief Johnston, then Captain Gollightly.

[18:35] Go on. Um,

[18:40] mayor, managers, citizens, guys. Uh, look, what a what a privilege and an

[18:48] honor it has been to work for this town for the last 25 years.

[18:55] Um I so many dedicated educated professionals

[19:02] have worked alongside with you all um to make it so I could have the career that

[19:10] I've had. So uh it's it's it's been an honor and a privilege to work with you

[19:16] all. Um, you all take care of us and all these people here, directors from or to

[19:23] the lowly bottom person that just got hired at Parks and Wreck to do ball

[19:28] games. Um, everybody makes this town run. Um, and we just we have a great

[19:36] group of people here and I just I'm so tickled to death that I have been able

[19:42] to make a career and that every person here has really played a hand in it. Uh

[19:46] thank you. [snorts] Thank you for Thank you. [applause]

[19:54] [applause] Thank you to everyone.

[19:58] » That's what I needed to write on this. >> See, I'm not as good as you, darling.

[20:02] [clears throat] I have I have to do this.

[20:05] As I retire from the town of Fraver Arena after 26 years

[20:10] of service, including serving as a captain, I want to take a moment to

[20:15] thank each of you for your support of our department.

[20:18] When I began my career with the town as a firefighter, everyone at the fire

[20:24] department was very welcoming and supportive.

[20:34] It was a very short time after that I realized

[20:39] that they weren't just my friends, they had become my family

[20:44] and I'm forever grateful for that. It has been an honor and a privilege to

[20:49] serve this community alongside them. Your continued support has helped us

[20:56] provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Fugquway Verina. Thank

[21:01] you all for your partnership, your trust, and your commitment to our

[21:06] department. Thank you and God bless everybody.

[21:09] » Thank you so much, [applause]

[21:15] [applause]

[21:18] » gentlemen. Thank you both. Okay. in

[21:24] recognition of their dedication and service and in accordance with North

[21:29] Carolina General Statute 16A 294.1, both men have met all stipulated

[21:36] requirements and have formally requested to keep their assigned structural fire

[21:41] helmets for retirement. There are there are separate official

[21:46] resolutions for each of these retirees, but I will combine um the two into one

[21:51] reading. A resolution adopted by the board of commissioners of the town of

[21:55] Fuway Arena, North Carolina, authorizing the award of a structural fire helmet in

[22:00] recognition of retirement from the Fugquway Vina Fire Department.

[22:05] Whereas William Garland Johnston began his fire and emergency services career

[22:10] with the town of Fuway Verina Fire Department on August 5th, 2001. And

[22:15] Samuel Irwin Golley III began his fire and emergency services career with the

[22:20] town of Fuway Verina Fire Department on August 7th, 2000. And whereas after

[22:26] distinguished service to the town of Fuqua Marina and the fire department,

[22:31] both have submitted their intentions to retire effective September 1st, 2026.

[22:38] And whereas North Carolina General Statute 160A

[22:42] 294.1 provides that the governing body of a

[22:46] municipal fire department may in its discretion award a retiring member upon

[22:51] his or her retirement their assigned structural fire helmet. Now therefore,

[22:57] be it resolved by the board of commissioners of the town of Fugquway

[23:00] Verina, North Carolina, that William Garland Johnston and Samuel Irwin Golley

[23:05] III are hereby awarded their structural fire helmets for $1 in recognition of

[23:11] their honorable and dedicated service to the citizens of Fugquway Arena. These

[23:16] resolutions of the town of Fuqua Verina Board of Commissioners are hereby

[23:20] adopted this 18th day of August in the year of 2026 in Fugquway Arena, North

[23:25] Carolina. And should these resolutions be adopted tonight, they will be signed

[23:30] by Mayor Harris for the town of Fuqua Vina.

[23:34] So, mayor, tonight there is a recommended motion and the motion is to

[23:39] adopt the resolutions authorizing the award of the structural fire helmets to

[23:44] Battalion Chief Garland William Garland Johnston and fire captain to Samuel

[23:49] Gollightly in recognition of their retirement from the town of Fuwayina

[23:53] Fire Department as presented and recommended.

[23:58] » What is your pleasure, >> Mr. Mayor? I make a motion to adopt the

[24:01] resolutions authorizing the award of the structural fire helmets to Battalion

[24:05] Chief William Garland Johnson and Fire Chief 2 Samuel Gollightly in recognition

[24:10] of their retirement from the town of Faino Fire Department as presented and

[24:14] recommended. >> Second.

[24:16] » It's been moved and second. Any discussion on the motion?

[24:23] All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I.

[24:26] » I. >> Any oppose?

[24:29] » Eyes have it. Let me say one thing first.

[24:32] Um, it's so powerful what you all have done

[24:36] for this community. If you look around the wall and you see these young firemen

[24:41] whose lives you have impacted, you have impacted an entire generation,

[24:47] that's how powerful your tenacity and staying with this

[24:53] community is and will be for so long. So we honor you tonight for your service.

[25:01] Thank you very much. Thank you.

[25:06] [applause]

[25:11] [applause]

[25:20] [applause]

[25:24] [applause]

[25:30] » Oh yes. Oh, thank you sir. Thank you so very

[26:17] Thank you all so much. Thank you, Chief. I appreciate you all.

[26:24] Take down.

[26:43] And now we'll move on to item five, public comment period.

[27:02] At this time, the town clerk will call on individuals who are in attendance and

[27:06] have registered to address the town board prior to the meeting. The public

[27:11] comment period is a time for the public to address the town on any matter not

[27:16] the subject of a scheduled public hearing. The public comment period is

[27:22] not a time for the town board to respond or engage in back and forth conversation

[27:27] with the public. Only those who have signed in in advance of the public

[27:33] comment period will be permitted to address the town board.

[27:38] Those speaking are asked to begin by clearly stating their name and address

[27:44] for the public record. Please limit your comments to three minutes so that all

[27:50] who wish to speak may be heard in a timely manner. Town clerk Wilder, do we

[27:56] have anyone signed up for public comments?

[27:58] » We have one person, Annie Feny. >> Okay.

[28:09] » Thank you. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Mayor, commissioners,

[28:13] managers. So, I actually meant to sign up on the white sheet. I signed up on

[28:17] the green sheet by accident. Should I come back or should I be heard now?

[28:21] » Uh, if it's a public hearing, you you would need to come back.

[28:23] » I will come back when the white sheet. >> Okay.

[28:27] » Okay. >> All right. Thank you.

[28:40] » [clears throat]

[28:46] » Thank you. And I apologize. >> Okay, we only have we only have one

[28:50] person. >> Yes, she was it.

[28:52] » Oh, you may as well stay. Um, all right. Now, we move if there are no more

[28:58] comments, we'll move to public hearings. The public hearings are a time for the

[29:04] petitioner to present their requests for the public to provide input and express

[29:10] their support or opposition. Public hearings are not a time for the town

[29:16] board to respond to public input or engage in back and forth conversation.

[29:24] » I thought we had that. Was that the item?

[29:28] » Oh, it six. 668.

[29:32] » That's right. But it is a public hearing. So the mayor is reading the

[29:35] protocol for the public hearing. Is public comment is we went through the

[29:38] public. You're you're correct. Mayor >> misled.

[29:41] » Oh, sorry. >> Yeah,

[29:43] » you are correct to finish reading the protocol, mayor.

[29:46] » Mayor, >> that's okay. All right. That's all

[29:48] right. Let me start over again. Public hearings. Public hearings are a time for

[29:53] the petitioner to present their request and for the public to provide input and

[29:58] express their support or opposition. Public hearings are not a time for the

[30:03] town board to respond to public input or engage in back and forth conversation

[30:09] with the public. If you wish to speak and are physically in attendance, please

[30:14] step forward to the podium one at a time. Provide your name and address on

[30:20] the registration log at the podium and clearly state your name and address for

[30:24] the public record. We ask that all who address the town board limit their

[30:28] comments to three minutes so that all who wish to speak may be heard in a

[30:33] timely manner. Now we are in the public hearing portion of the meeting.

[30:41] We have items uh table from previous meetings.

[30:46] Voluntary annexation petition for Colin H. Grimes, Jennifer P. Grimes, David

[30:53] Charles Davis, David Davis Scott Revokable Trust, and Rebecca Sheldon

[30:59] Davis 5441053015255,

[31:04] Wade Nash Road, ANX 202313. Uh, more information about about this

[31:11] agenda item will be presented by planning director Davidson.

[31:17] » Thank you. >> You're welcome.

[31:18] » I'm submitting the agenda abstract and supporting documents into the official

[31:22] record of the town. The combined 76.246 acre property is non-ontiguous to the

[31:28] town's corporate limits. W town water and sewer are currently available to

[31:33] serve the subject properties. However, both will be extended with development

[31:36] of the Elmsley subdivision. currently under review. A fireflow test resulted

[31:42] in adequate fire flow. Town sanitation and recycling services are available to

[31:46] serve the property. At the March 24th, 2026 meeting, the town clerk certified

[31:51] that the petition was sufficient and met the requirements prescribed by the North

[31:55] Carolina General Statutes and the town board adopted a resolution setting a

[31:59] public hearing for the April 7th, 2026 meeting. Prior to the April 7th meeting,

[32:05] the petitioner submitted a request and the board approved the request to table

[32:08] the item to the June 16th, 2026 meeting. Prior to the June 16th, 2020 meeting,

[32:15] 2026 meeting, the petitioner submitted an additional request which the board

[32:19] approved to table the item to tonight's meeting. Prior to tonight's meeting, the

[32:23] petitioner submitted another request to table the public hearing to the November

[32:28] 2nd, 2026 regular meeting. The present total value of the properties being

[32:33] annexed is $5,13,032.

[32:37] The suggested motion tonight is to table consideration of ANX 202313

[32:42] an annexation [clears throat] ordinance to extend the corporate limits

[32:45] of the town of Fuway Verina to include property owned by Colin H. Grimes,

[32:49] Jennifer P. Grimes, David Charles Davis, David Davis Scott Revocable Trust, and

[32:55] Rebecca Shelton Davis. ANX 202213 and the associated declaration of annexation

[33:01] to the November 2nd, 2026 regular town board meeting per the request of the

[33:06] petitioner. I'm available if you have any questions.

[33:09] » Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Uh so the hearing is now open.

[33:18] At the at the request of the petitioner, management and staff are recommending

[33:23] that the item be tabled and the public hearing be continued to the November

[33:28] 2nd, 2026 town board meeting. What is the pleasure of the board?

[33:35] » Mr. Mayor, so moved. >> Second.

[33:37] » Second. >> All those in favor of the continuation

[33:41] of the public hearing, let it be known by saying I.

[33:45] » I. >> Any oppose? eyes have it. Thank you very

[33:49] much. Really appreciate that.

[33:54] The next item is item 7A, voluntary annexation petition,

[34:01] Callis Properties LLC and Callis Family Limited Partnership 2201225

[34:09] and a portion of 2221 Piney Grove Wilburn Road ANX 202604.

[34:16] More information about this agenda item will be presented by planning director

[34:20] Davidson. >> Thank you. I'm submitting the agenda

[34:23] abstract and supporting documents into the official record of the town. The

[34:27] 5.24 acre combined parcels are non-ontiguous to the town's corporate

[34:31] limits. Town water is available to serve the subject properties. [clears throat]

[34:35] Excuse me. However, sewer is unavailable and has been exempted per the annexation

[34:39] agreement. A fireflow test nearby resulted in adequate fire flow. Town

[34:44] sanitation and recycling services are not applicable since it will be

[34:46] developed as a commercial property. At the August 3rd, 2026 meeting, town clerk

[34:51] certified that the petition was sufficient and met the requirements

[34:54] prescribed by the North Carolina General Statutes and the town board adopted a

[34:58] resolution setting a public hearing for tonight's town board meeting. The

[35:01] present total value of the properties being annexed is $573,76.

[35:08] The suggested motion tonight is to adopt the annexation ordinance to extend the

[35:11] corporate limits of the town of Fuguway Verina to include property owned by

[35:15] Callus Properties LLC and the Callus Family Limited Partnership ANX 20264

[35:21] and to approve the declaration of annexation agreement as presented and

[35:24] recommended. >> Thank you.

[35:29] » The hearing is now open. Does anyone wish to speak in favor of the voluntary

[35:35] annexation petition?

[35:40] » Mayor, good evening. John Adcock, the Adcock Law Firm at 202 East Academy

[35:44] Street. I'm here on behalf of the owner and the applicant.

[35:46] » Good evening. >> Uh, and they're in favor of this

[35:48] petition. I'm able to ask answer any questions the board has.

[35:51] » Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[36:02] Does anyone else wish to speak in favor of the voluntary annexation petition?

[36:09] Does anyone wish to speak in opposition to the voluntary annexation petition?

[36:20] If none, the hearing is now closed. Any discussion by the board?

[36:25] Mr.

[36:29] Mayor. So move second. >> All right. We had a motion and a second.

[36:35] All those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I.

[36:38] » I. >> Any opposed? Eyes have it. Thank you

[36:42] very much.

[36:46] We're still in the public hearings. Item 7B, zoning map amendment. Wayne Malden,

[36:53] Malden Watkins Surveying, PA 210 Southwest Street, REZ 202610.

[36:59] More information about this agenda item will be presented by planning director

[37:03] Davidson. >> Thank you.

[37:06] » Mr. May, the agenda abstract and supporting documents into the official

[37:09] record of the town. >> The requested zoning map amendment is

[37:14] cons sorry I'll go back. The purpose of this agenda item is to consider a

[37:17] requested zoning map amendment for a total of 321 acres located at 210

[37:21] Southwest Street from the residential medium density zoning district to the

[37:25] town center residential zoning district. The requested zoning map amendment is

[37:30] consistent with the 2040 community vision land use plan and supports

[37:33] several of the land use plans policies and the proposed conditions will serve

[37:38] to ensure the proposed triplex matches the scale and character of the

[37:42] surrounding neighborhood. On July 20th, 2026, the planning board unanimously

[37:47] recommended approval. There's the Tribox plot planning. The

[37:53] suggested motion tonight is to approve REZ 202610, a zoning map amendment for

[37:58] 210 Southwest Street from the residential medium density zoning

[38:02] district to the town center residential zoning district as it is reasonable and

[38:06] in the best interest of the public for the reasons identified by management and

[38:09] staff. I'm available if you have any questions.

[38:14] The hearing is now open. Does anyone wish to speak in favor of the zoning map

[38:20] amendment?

[38:25] » Good evening, mayor, board. I'm Wayne Malden with Molden Watkins Survey and

[38:30] 139 North Main Street here in Fugquway. And we put this reszoning petition

[38:34] together for the owner that you have before you here tonight. Uh basically

[38:38] what we're looking at on that side of town is it's a very old house that's in

[38:42] they're in need of some repair. Uh what they wish to do is not

[38:48] financially feasible to try to repair it. It's

[38:51] cheaper to tear it down and start all over. So that's what we're asking for

[38:55] here tonight is the reasoning uh to the TCR so that we can go in and

[39:01] put in a new structure as you see on the plot plan before you tonight. If you

[39:05] have any questions, I'll be glad to try to answer them.

[39:09] » Are there any questions of >> the petitioner? Any questions?

[39:16] » Thank you.

[39:19] » Does anyone wish to speak in favor of the zoning map amendment?

[39:27] Does anyone wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[39:46] I will. Mr. Mayor, >> again, thank you for allowing me to

[39:50] speak at this time. Uh, Mr. Mayor, commissioners and managers, thank you

[39:55] for this opportunity. >> My name is Amy Feny. I live at 608

[39:59] Parker Street here in Fugquway. And the reason I'm speaking out tonight

[40:03] is we don't want more town homes in residential neighborhoods. I posted a

[40:08] thing on Next Door about all the rampant building that is going on in Fugquway at

[40:13] this time. And I think I should call it to your attention as far as what people

[40:16] are saying about this. When I mentioned that we should attend

[40:21] town council meetings and make our concerns known, the main response was

[40:24] did that? They don't care. In many cases, planning staff work with the

[40:29] developers. Another answer from Bob M was greed. Jeff C. developers do not

[40:36] care. Audrey G. Greed. It is all about the town. From Sue A. It's all about the

[40:42] town getting as much money as possible. Emily B. It isn't just Fugquay, but so

[40:47] many municipalities are growing at this time. However, Joe S. greedy

[40:53] politicians. Lois. O. It's about the money and on top of it pushing creatures

[40:58] out of their natural habitat. Stephanie W. Because they are greedy and do not

[41:02] care. I thought it was important that you understand what it is that the

[41:07] Fugquay residents want at this time. We do not want more town homes going up

[41:11] where residential neighborhoods are right now. It is a sight eyesore. We do

[41:16] not want it. We previously have voted out people who did not listen to the

[41:21] constituents. And at this time, I urge you to please listen to the constituents

[41:24] because we voted you in. We don't want it. Thank you so much for your time. I

[41:30] appreciate your consideration. >> Thank you very much for your comments.

[41:34] We >> Do you have any questions I could

[41:35] answer? >> Not at this time, though.

[41:37] » All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[41:40] Thank you.

[41:46] Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[41:56] The hearing is now closed. Any discussion by the board?

[42:02] » Mr. Mayor, I'll make some comments. >> All right. Thank you.

[42:06] » Uh when I look at this, I see um um when we talk about uh downtown, this is

[42:14] downtown. Um it is um where we have really been successful with um

[42:26] the threestory units there on the corner of

[42:33] Spring Avenue and Vance Street. Uh, I think those are an asset in downtown

[42:39] Fugquway and really in our downtowns, but I think especially in downtown

[42:44] Fugquway, we need to have more people living there

[42:50] and we need to have density because that's what's going to keep it alive.

[42:54] Um otherwise the businesses are going to go out on some of the major main roads

[43:02] and they will avoid downtown Fugway and you'll see downtown Fugway um I think uh

[43:09] go backwards. When I look at um this, I also think

[43:14] about the need for housing in our community. And I think one of the worst

[43:18] things we can do is be put an undue burden on um folks that are trying to

[43:26] add housing in a market that is becoming more and more unaffordable.

[43:32] Um and this to me looks like what the buzzword we hear, missing middle. And I

[43:38] think this is exactly what that is. I think that's what we have talked about

[43:42] and I think it's something that we are trying to promote. This seems like an

[43:47] excellent spot to it. We're not subdividing the lot uh down any more

[43:52] than it already is. We're fitting a uh one unit on it, but it will have three

[43:59] homes in it. I think it makes a lot of sense where it is, and I'm willing to

[44:05] make a motion to support it if you'd like.

[44:08] » You ready for a motion? What is the pleasure of the board? Any other

[44:11] comments from the board? >> I would just say that I agree with

[44:14] Charlie Adcock 100% there on sorry, Commissioner Adcock. Um,

[44:19] it's two blocks from down from South Main Street, right? So, I think the way

[44:25] our town is going to be growing in the future that it makes perfect sense.

[44:29] » Thank you. I'll make a motion to approve RAZ 2026-10,

[44:34] a zoning map amendment for 210 Southwest Street from the residential medium

[44:39] density zoning district to the town center residential zoning district. And

[44:44] it is reason as it is reasonable and in the best interest of the public for the

[44:48] reasons identified by management and staff.

[44:51] » Second. >> It's been moved and second. Uh all all

[44:55] in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I. I

[45:00] » any oppose? >> Motion carries. Eyes have it. Thank you.

[45:12] Now we move on to item 7 C, public hearing, zoning map amendment. Wayne

[45:18] Malden, Malden Watkins surveying, PA 417 and 419 Raleigh Street, REZ 202611.

[45:27] More information about this agenda item will be presented by planning director

[45:32] Davidson. >> Thank you.

[45:33] » Okay, Pam. >> I'm submitting the agenda abstract and

[45:36] supporting documents indeed the official records of the town.

[45:40] We've received several inquiries and significant feedback on this resoning

[45:44] request. So, I thought before we get into the heart of it, it might be

[45:47] helpful to review the goals of the Town Center Residential Zoning District. The

[45:52] Town Center residential zoning district is uniquely situated just outside the

[45:56] downtown areas and provides an eclectic mix of housing types and lot sizes that

[46:01] have developed over decades. With a density cap of 10 dwelling units per

[46:06] acre, the lot sizes range from a handful of 1acre lots to a few that are less

[46:11] than a tenth of an acre with the majority falling somewhere in between.

[46:15] Most are single family detached homes, but they're also a sprinkling of

[46:18] duplexes and a few town homes. Most of the area classified as town

[46:23] center residential and the land use plan is currently zoned either residential

[46:26] low density like the lots we're talking about tonight or residential medium

[46:31] density. Being that the current zoning was applied after many of the homes were

[46:35] built, often the current properties do not meet either the minimum lot size,

[46:40] minimum lot frontage, or setback requirements.

[46:44] Residential low density requires a 14,500

[46:48] square foot lot that is at least 80 foot wide. 417 and 419 Raleigh Street are

[46:54] both less than 9,000 square ft and neither are close to 80 foot wide. Lots

[46:59] made non-conforming by the adoption of development standards are considered

[47:03] lots of record and permitted to develop one single family home. Since the lot is

[47:09] substandard, applying the required setbacks might be difficult. So the

[47:13] ordinance also provides an opportunity for reduced side and rear setbacks for

[47:17] non-conforming lots of record. Instead of developing as a lot of

[47:22] record, property owners may seek to resone the property to town center

[47:25] residential. The town center residential district encourages a mix of housing

[47:30] types as you can see on the chart and allows for smaller setbacks since the

[47:34] area is slightly more urban. Since you are not permitted to expand

[47:38] nonconformity, reszoning to Town Center residential also gives existing

[47:43] homeowners more flexibility to expand an existing property to fit their growing

[47:47] needs. [snorts] Here's some examples of development

[47:51] resulting from the 30 TCR resonings the town has approved since 2016 when we put

[47:58] this in place. Before we get into the details of today's zoning request, I do

[48:03] also want to speak to affordability. The town does not have any standards or

[48:07] requirements regarding the affordability of new development or even have a tool

[48:11] to regulate or measure what expansions or renovations of existing homes do to

[48:16] property values and assess taxes. Whether properties are maintained,

[48:20] renovated, rented, sold, or even demolished for something new is market

[48:25] driven. The town center residential standards

[48:29] strive to guide development towards a variety of housing options that can be

[48:33] adapted to fit the scale and context of the existing neighborhood while

[48:37] connecting to the fabric of the existing infrastructure. [snorts]

[48:41] The purpose of tonight's agenda is to consider a requested zoning map

[48:45] amendment for a total of 414 acres located at 417 and 419 Raleigh Street

[48:51] from the residential lowdensity zoning district to the town center residential

[48:55] zoning district. Although traffic impact is now required at resoning, the

[48:59] engineering director waved the requirement due to the limited scale of

[49:03] the development and resulting in negligible traffic impacts. The two

[49:07] required parking spaces per home are being provided in a rear alley loaded

[49:11] garage and additional overflow parking will likely be accommodated in the

[49:16] private alley. The total point4 acre development will

[49:20] not trigger storm water requirements because the difference in increased

[49:23] impervious area is so small that the state doesn't recognize it for

[49:27] permitting.

[49:31] The requested zoning map amendment is consistent with the 2040 community

[49:35] vision land use plan and supports the following land use plan policies. 2.1

[49:41] which encourages infill development and redevelopment inside town limits as a

[49:45] way to reinvest in the existing downtowns and neighborhoods and policy

[49:49] 4.1 which seeks to manage future growth and development in priority investment

[49:54] areas. In addition, the plot plan and

[49:58] elevations provided demonstrate that the proposed

[50:02] development generally meets the town center residential standards and the

[50:05] facade conditions offered confirm that the appearance of the proposed homes

[50:09] will contribute to the character of the neighborhood. At the July 20th, 2026

[50:14] planning board, the planning board unanimously recommended approval. Just a

[50:18] couple other notes now. We have the plot plans and elevations in front of us. Um,

[50:21] there has been some concern about the front setback and it is true that the

[50:25] majority of homes in this vicinity are set back about 30 feet from the front

[50:31] property line. Um, with this there's going to be a 5-ft dedication and the

[50:38] edge of pavement. In addition to that five foot dedication, we'll put about 18

[50:42] feet from the edge of pavement to the front property line. As you can see, the

[50:47] closest house, the front porch will be 12 and a half feet from that front

[50:52] property line. And that results in about 30 feet from the edge of the pavement of

[50:57] the road. There's no sidewalks to that front porch. Um, row homes provide front

[51:02] porches where residents can interact with neighbors walking by and maintain

[51:06] the charming scale of the street for pedestrians. One of the requests had

[51:10] been, can they abandon the rear alley and instead have driveways on the front?

[51:16] Um, the majority of houses in this neighborhood were developed long before

[51:19] we had garages and the car was quite the priority it is today. So, if we did

[51:24] shift these houses back, they would have garages on the front, likely twocar

[51:28] garages that would be 16 to 18 feet wide, taking up a pretty good portion of

[51:34] that 26 foot frontage. So the row home concept just to fit that character of

[51:40] the neighborhood would be to have front porches where people sitting on the

[51:44] front porch could interact with people walking by on the street walking their

[51:47] dog. Right? This is kind of a pedestrian street versus having a pretty harsh wall

[51:53] of a garage. Um that would really cut that house off from the neighborhood. I

[51:57] think that's kind of a character. Um, also lot size, um, 515 Raleigh Street

[52:04] and 114 Blanchert Street, kind of around the corner, are also just over 5,000

[52:09] square feet, like proposed lots one and two. 114 and 116 Woodro Street, are both

[52:16] just 6,500 square feet like lot three, and they are

[52:22] adjacent to 311 Raleigh Street and 406 Academy Street, which are both closer to

[52:27] an acre. The eclectic pattern of lot sizes, house styles, and materials

[52:32] definitely contribute to the character of the area. The last thing I'll mention

[52:36] is density. The increase from two lots to three lots on this parcel

[52:42] specifically does increase the density from five dwelling units to seven

[52:46] dwelling units on this property. But it only increases the density on the block

[52:52] from 2.5 to 2.7. Looking at some other blocks around

[52:57] here, the density on the surrounding blocks varies from about 3.2 to five

[53:02] dwelling units per acre. So that really fits in kind of with the fabric that

[53:06] we're talking about. So again, I would argue that these three lots fit into

[53:10] that fabric of the overall community and contribute um new housing opportunities.

[53:18] The suggested motion tonight is to approve REZ 202611, a zoning map

[53:22] amendment for 417 and 419 Raleigh Street from the residential lowdensity zoning

[53:26] district to the town center residential zoning district as it is reasonable and

[53:31] in the best interest of the public for the reasons identified by management and

[53:34] staff. I'm available if you have any additional questions about TCR or this

[53:38] resoning specifically. >> Thank you. Thank you. Any questions from

[53:44] Director Davidson? All right. Thank you.

[53:49] The hearing is now open. Does anyone wish to speak in favor of

[53:55] the zoning map amendment?

[54:00] » Good evening, mayor, board members. Again, I'm Wayne Molden with Molden Wack

[54:03] Survey and at 139 North Main Street here in Fugquway. And we put the reasoning

[54:08] we're looking at tonight together for the owner, which is also here.

[54:14] Um, I want to thank Pam. She explained all that stuff better than I could.

[54:19] It seems like the ordinance changes every day. Basically, what we're doing

[54:24] here is at the present time, there is a condo or duplex unit on two lots.

[54:29] There's two existing lots. Uh, I think one of those units has

[54:34] already been declared unfit to be lived in.

[54:38] So, there's only one side of it being occupied at this time.

[54:43] Under the current zoning with the two lots, if we tore the building down, we

[54:49] could, I think, put four units back up there. We could have duplexes on both

[54:54] lots. Uh, we decided to go to the resoning to

[54:58] the TCR. We pick up one lot, but instead of

[55:02] getting four units, we're getting three residential single family homes.

[55:08] We think that'll fit in a lot better with the neighborhood in that area.

[55:12] than duplexes, which we've heard some tonight say they didn't need no more

[55:17] multif family. So, we're trying to put three nice single family homes.

[55:22] So, if any of you have any questions, I'll be glad to try to answer.

[55:27] » Any questions? >> No. Thank you.

[55:30] » Thank you, Wayne. Appreciate it.

[55:37] Does anyone else wish to speak in favor of the

[55:40] zoning map amendment?

[55:49] » Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of the board. I'm Preston Perry, 1994 NC42. I'm

[55:54] here to speak in favor of this um resoning petition. I I don't have a lot

[55:59] specifically to add. Um, we we do for the points that have already been

[56:02] brought up believe this is a prudent fit for what TCR stands for and is the

[56:07] appropriate housing product to provide an obtainable housing solution and close

[56:11] proximity to our two downtown areas. If we're going to be a walkable community

[56:15] and we're going to hang our hats on having thriving downtown areas, then

[56:18] people need to be able to visit those. Um, and we feel we've, you know, I I

[56:23] hate that we can't all agree on things and I understand there is concern, but

[56:27] we have taken feedback and feel that we have provided conditions both in the

[56:31] resoning petition as well as in the design considerations we're presenting

[56:35] to try to fit into the neighborhood and offer an amicable, reasonable solution

[56:39] that looks appropriate for that side of town. Um, the first house I bought when

[56:43] my wife and I moved to Fugquway was on this block. I know this area. We walked

[56:48] the dog around the neighborhood, took the kids to Falcon Park, done the whole

[56:51] thing. But when the second kid came along, there's not a lot of

[56:54] opportunities in that area. Um, and we feel that we should be able to provide

[56:59] that for people that want to utilize the walkability and sense of community that

[57:03] this part of town creates. Um, again, as far as the technical side, I think Pam

[57:08] and and Wayne did a great job presenting those facts. And if there's any

[57:11] questions I can answer, more than happy to do so.

[57:14] » Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

[57:15] » Appreciate it.

[57:20] Does anyone else wish to speak in favor of the zoning map amendment?

[57:32] Does anyone wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[57:40] » Hello, Mayor Harris and commissioners. My name is Tiffany Wagner and I live at

[57:44] the Blanchard House at 644 Aken Parkway in downtown Peekway Verina.

[57:51] I am here with the supporters of the historic branch. Tonight we are

[57:54] submitting a petition against the resoning petition for 417 and 419

[58:00] Raleigh Street. The language of this petition contains the following. We the

[58:05] residents and homeowners of downtown Fugquway Verina petitioned the town to

[58:09] preserve the character of the neighborhood and promote responsible

[58:13] growth and development.

[58:17] Therefore, number one, the undersigned object to the request for the resoning

[58:22] and site map for 417 and 419 Raleigh Street, Fugquway Verina from RMD to TCR

[58:29] as it is currently proposed by Pine State Construction Group. Should the

[58:33] size of the houses be significantly reduced and the lot lines increase, we

[58:37] are less opposed to this reasonzoning. Number two, the undersigned believe

[58:42] adjustments should be made to the TCR district development standards.

[58:47] We petition for the formulation of a stakeholder advisory committee to make

[58:52] recommendations to the Fway Verina Planning Department for the A4

[58:56] standards.

[59:00] As I said before, I'm here with the supporters of the historic fringe. This

[59:06] name may be new to you, but after hearing from some of our supporters

[59:09] tonight, you'll get to know us a little better. Our goal tonight is to ask that

[59:13] you deny the 417419 Raleigh Street reszone request.

[59:18] In support of this denial, I'm here to present our petition, which includes the

[59:23] signatures of 377 residents and homeowners in downtown Fugquway Verina

[59:28] who oppose this reszone request. I would also like to point your attention to our

[59:33] map which shows a large number of residents who support our opposition.

[59:37] And I just want to point to you this red square.

[59:53] As you can see, this is a very large and significant portion of the residents in

[59:58] the downtown district. It also shows our neighborhood's proximity to the historic

[1:00:02] residential neighborhood, which is what creates the character of this town that

[1:00:06] we all love. And I thank you all for listening.

[1:00:09] » Thank you very much. We appreciate it so much. Thank you for your comments.

[1:00:18] » Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:00:35] » [clears throat]

[1:00:49] » Good evening. Good evening, Mayor Harris, town board, and staff.

[1:00:53] I'm a supporter of the historic Fringe neighborhood. Also, my name is Eric

[1:00:58] Kristofferson. My wife and I live at 504 East Academy Street, formerly known as

[1:01:03] the Baptist Parsonage. We also own and operate the restored

[1:01:07] Fugquway Springs Teacheridge at 602 East Academy Street. These are both within a

[1:01:12] block of the subject property. We're here to oppose the zoning map

[1:01:18] amendment request and plot plan submitted by Pine State Corp. to reszone

[1:01:22] the lots at 417 and 419 Raleigh Street to Town Center Residential.

[1:01:28] The map that Tiffany shared with you shows overwhelming opposition in our

[1:01:33] neighborhood to this type of development.

[1:01:36] 377 signatures.

[1:01:42] Everyone that signed the petition cares what gets built at this corner.

[1:01:48] The charts that I have show a I think I can see them here.

[1:01:55] show Pine State's plot plan of three row houses outlined in red and overlaid onto

[1:02:01] the lots at 417 and 419 Raleigh streets. The other chart shows a height

[1:02:07] comparison of the row houses compared to neighboring houses.

[1:02:12] Those are the first two pages in your handout. Did you hand out Teresa?

[1:02:18] We know that neighborhood opposition alone is not enough for you to deny this

[1:02:25] resoning request because the plans that Pine State submitted are legal according

[1:02:31] to the town's land development ordinance.

[1:02:34] But as you can see, these row houses and the dimensions and standards behind them

[1:02:40] are radically out of character for the neighborhood.

[1:02:45] They were approved by the planning board despite major deviations from the town's

[1:02:50] own 2040 community vision land use plan for TCR zoning.

[1:02:58] Here are some statements from that plan that you'll find at the back of the

[1:03:01] handout. Miss Davidson did not point to these

[1:03:06] statements, but I will. They're on pages 54 through 57.

[1:03:12] On page 54, preserving the character of existing

[1:03:16] homes is a high priority in this area. Also, page 54, the type, size,

[1:03:25] orientation, and character of new homes built in existing neighborhoods should

[1:03:30] be compatible with adjacent properties. Also

[1:03:36] on page 54, officials should be careful of unintended consequences of infield

[1:03:41] development, such as increased storm water flooding, increased traffic on

[1:03:46] narrow streets, or rising home values that drive existing residents out of the

[1:03:52] area. On page 56, front and sideyard setbacks

[1:03:59] should be generally consistent along block faces to provide streetscape

[1:04:04] continuity.

[1:04:07] » Going to ask you to in your comments,

[1:04:10] » please use the guidance in our land use plan to deny this zoning map amendment

[1:04:17] request. >> Thank you very much.

[1:04:19] » Thank you. >> Appreciate it so much. Thank you for

[1:04:21] your feedback.

[1:04:29] Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:04:35] » Good evening, commissioners, Mayor Harris, management.

[1:04:38] » Good evening. >> My name is Emily Holloway. I live at 312

[1:04:42] Andrew Road in a 1,400 square foot home built in 1940. My husband and I reared

[1:04:48] two boys who are now adults in this three-bedroom, one-bath house. It was

[1:04:53] originally owned by John and Mildred Ascu. He was a Fugquway Arena High

[1:04:57] School math teacher and a tobacco bookman. She was a graduate of the

[1:05:01] Giuliard School of Music and the local piano teacher. I am a proud supporter of

[1:05:05] the historic fringe. Eric was just talking about statements in the town's

[1:05:10] own land use plan that we believe give you reason to deny the zoning map

[1:05:14] amendment request without fear of reprisal. While not regulatory, these

[1:05:19] statements regarding TCR zoning in the land use plan make very clear the

[1:05:24] importance and intent of preserving the character, density, size, compatibility

[1:05:30] with adjacent properties, front and side setbacks, consistency along block faces,

[1:05:37] and a sense of place of the existing neighborhoods.

[1:05:41] They especially matter in this unique one-of-a-kind historic French

[1:05:44] neighborhood on the edge of downtown. It is an area full of history, local

[1:05:48] landmarks, spacious front yards, narrow streets, mature trees, walkability, and

[1:05:55] proximity to parks and downtown areas. It is comprised of a mix of low to

[1:06:00] moderatelysized and priced homes. This is what gives our neighborhood its sense

[1:06:05] of place, and it is worth preserving. This plot plan at 417 and 419 Raleigh

[1:06:11] Street is a complete departure from these standards and statements. We are

[1:06:15] asking you to deny the zoning map amendment request. This would give the

[1:06:19] developer another opportunity to meet with neighborhood stakeholders and

[1:06:22] arrive at a reasonable plan that better fits the character of the neighborhood.

[1:06:27] Pine State was not present at the neighborhood meeting on June 8th, 2026.

[1:06:31] And stakeholders have not had an opportunity to speak with them about

[1:06:35] this project. They have not responded to stakeholders phone calls or text

[1:06:40] messages for more information since the planning board's approval on July 20th,

[1:06:44] 2026. If the resoning and existing plot plan

[1:06:47] is approved, a precedent will be set that allows developers to build more of

[1:06:52] the same types of anomalies. Housing, clearly something that the majority of

[1:06:56] the neighbors do not want. The town planning department's website states

[1:07:02] that the land use plan is a living document. meant to be revisited and

[1:07:07] amended as necessary as the community moves forward in growth. This is an

[1:07:13] opportunity to amend the land use plan to better serve the downtown historic

[1:07:18] French neighborhood and the neighbors who live there. Thank you.

[1:07:21] » Thank you. Thank you very much for your feedback. We appreciate you.

[1:07:25] » Thank you.

[1:07:30] speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment.

[1:07:34] Thank you. >> Good evening, mayor, commissioners,

[1:07:37] managers. >> Good evening.

[1:07:38] » My name is Shondaanda Dupal. I live at 413 Raleigh Street, and I am also a

[1:07:44] supporter of the historic French. I'm speaking here tonight in opposition to

[1:07:50] the zoning map amendment request for 417 and 419 Raleigh Street, specifically in

[1:07:56] regards to the front and sideyard setbacks outlined on the project plot

[1:08:01] maps in accordance with the TCR zoning. I live right next door to these lots.

[1:08:08] The front setback is 10 feet from the property line and the setback along the

[1:08:14] side property line, my property line is only 5 and 1/2 ft. Um, as you can see

[1:08:21] from the height graphic, the sheer size and height of the proposed building will

[1:08:27] completely overwhelm my house. The 80 foot long facade of the side building

[1:08:34] and the two and a half story height running along the property will cast a

[1:08:39] literal and figurative shadow over my home. I will lose all morning light. The

[1:08:45] structure will block most if not all visibility from that side of my house.

[1:08:50] That's the side of my house my porch is on. That's the side of my house where my

[1:08:55] garden grows. Conversely, the encroaching wall will

[1:09:00] also eliminate any sense of privacy I currently have up to and including the

[1:09:06] 20-year-old crepe myrtles that bloom every summer that run down the property

[1:09:11] line. Any windows built into that side of the building will look directly into

[1:09:18] my home. I am only one person, one homeowner in

[1:09:24] such close proximity to this outofscale project. However, these setbacks and out

[1:09:30] of character buildings affect all of the adjacent homeowners as well. Their sense

[1:09:35] of space, their views, their privacy will also be negatively impacted.

[1:09:42] As all of us who call this neighborhood, this community home, I chose Fugway for

[1:09:48] its small town charm, uh, the unique architecture in the houses, and the

[1:09:52] proximity to our quaint downtown. I chose it because it reminds me of the

[1:09:57] town I grew up in in Virginia. Uh, I do fear that the proposed project

[1:10:03] put forward by Pine State will irrefocably alter the spirit of this

[1:10:08] neighborhood and in its current plan is not in keeping with the character and

[1:10:13] scale of the existing homes. Therefore, I'm asking we're asking respectfully

[1:10:19] that you um vote to deny the zoning map amendment request. I thank you for your

[1:10:25] time and your attention. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate you. Thank

[1:10:29] you. appreciate your comments.

[1:10:34] » Yes.

[1:10:38] » Good evening, mayor and commissioners. Uh my name is Paul Hodgej and I live at

[1:10:43] 505 Raleigh Street, Fugquway Berina. Uh I'm speaking this evening as a

[1:10:48] supporter of the historic fringe. Um we are speaking in opposition of the

[1:10:53] development at the corner of Raleigh and Ena Streets. Um and um specifically I'll

[1:10:58] be highlighting some storm water concerns that I have. It's my

[1:11:02] understanding that if a residential development area is less than 1 acre on

[1:11:07] a project, a storm water study is not required.

[1:11:11] The obvious flaw in such a regulation is that there are simply not many 1acre

[1:11:15] lots left in downtown Fuway Berina. Our hope is that the town does track total

[1:11:21] development in a way that adds acreage of various developments and projects. Uh

[1:11:26] but uh currently we're not aware of such a strategy.

[1:11:30] Pivoting to this specific proposed development, one glance at the existing

[1:11:35] GIS versus the plan view of this project quickly reveals an increase in imperous

[1:11:40] footprint. As a degreed engineer, I was able to run

[1:11:44] a few unofficial calculations that painted an alarming picture for drainage

[1:11:48] adjacent to this property with one section of masonry pipe appearing to be

[1:11:53] undersized by nearly 50%. A brief personal story.

[1:11:58] Admittedly, it is easy to overlook storm water runoff on an individual project

[1:12:03] basis. I found myself guilty of this oversight during the recent sewer water

[1:12:07] line replacement on Clifton Street to the east of my property.

[1:12:11] After the work was complete, the town contractor quickly covered and expo the

[1:12:15] the exposed piping and and uh and demobilized.

[1:12:18] While walking by dog one evening, I recall seeing that they did not regrade

[1:12:22] the storm water covert and after filling the trench with dirt. I suppose whoever

[1:12:28] blessed the project closure either missed the issue or was simply used to

[1:12:31] seeing partially blocked storm water drains across downtown.

[1:12:35] I made the mistake of thinking not my property, not my problem.

[1:12:40] A year or so later, a water line ruptured further up Clifton Street and

[1:12:44] was flowing into the now blocked culvert.

[1:12:47] [cough] My neighbor's yard became saturated until water began to migrate

[1:12:50] to my property, eventually filling my crawl space with over a foot of water

[1:12:56] before the rupture was repaired. We were we were able to mitigate the damage at

[1:13:00] my property, but my neighbor's situation was a lot worse. A tropical storm also

[1:13:05] caused similar flooding issue on both properties due to the blockage.

[1:13:09] So, a reoccurring theme. The point of this story is not to blame myself or the

[1:13:14] town for negligence, uh, but to highlight that a minor issue in one

[1:13:18] covert can quickly, uh, cause significant damage elsewhere. As it

[1:13:22] turns out, storm water runoff is all of our problem. Please consider the impact

[1:13:27] that this development can have on adjacent properties and common flood

[1:13:31] control systems. And uh I uh with with the rest of uh the group here, I I

[1:13:37] petition that uh the reszoning is denied. Thank you.

[1:13:41] » Thank you very much. Appreciate your comments.

[1:13:47] Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:13:53] » Yes. >> Hello, my name is Lese Johnston. I live

[1:13:57] at 629 East Vance Street and am a supporter of the historic fringe. I

[1:14:03] moved to FCO Verina in 1995. I lived on Wade Street for 13 years before moving

[1:14:09] around the corner to Vance Street. We love the charm of the neighborhood and

[1:14:14] the distance between the houses. I'm sure my neighbors like this distance,

[1:14:18] too, especially when my husband placed the bag pipes.

[1:14:22] I would I would not normally speak at a town board meeting or any meeting, but I

[1:14:28] firmly believe the construction of these large row houses at the corner of

[1:14:32] Raleigh and In Street would be detrimental to our community. This is a

[1:14:37] hilly area and our home sits at the bottom of two downhill streets. There's

[1:14:43] a creek that runs in front of us that drains from Raleigh Street and another

[1:14:47] creek on the side of our property. We also have a large hill behind us that

[1:14:52] was created when the town homes were built. After their construction,

[1:14:57] increased water runoff from that hill caused flooding in our yard.

[1:15:02] During meetings with the town home builders, we were assured that their

[1:15:06] construction would not create storm water runoff for our property. Because

[1:15:10] of our experience, we are no longer willing to accept asurances when the

[1:15:15] actual circumstances do not support it.

[1:15:21] Changing zoning and covering lots which is with as much house and concrete

[1:15:27] allowed will decrease available land to absorb rainwater.

[1:15:33] Each time a house is built that causes an increase in water runoff will have a

[1:15:38] cumulative effect on surrounding homes. Words may not convey the effect

[1:15:44] overbuilding can have in this area. So I brought a picture. It's not as big as

[1:15:48] their picture showing how water runoff from current

[1:15:54] construction already affected our property. And I have plenty more

[1:15:58] pictures like this. I'm also concerned about the safety risk

[1:16:04] of parking on Raleigh Street because it's such a narrow street. Because of

[1:16:09] the limited parking provided with these house plans, visitors in a car or the

[1:16:15] third car of a family with a driving teenager or delivery truck will most

[1:16:21] likely have to park on the street. We parked a car on Raleigh Street in front

[1:16:26] of this lot and within minutes we saw a car try to turn onto Riley Street while

[1:16:31] another car was coming in the opposite direction on Raleigh Street. and we saw

[1:16:36] firsthand the hazard this situation created.

[1:16:42] Because of these and other concerns, I respectfully ask the commissioners to

[1:16:48] vote against this zoning map amendment request.

[1:16:53] I thank you all for your service to our town

[1:16:57] and I thank you for considering the concerns of the residents in this area.

[1:17:02] » Thank you very much. appreciate your feedback. Thank you. Does anyone else

[1:17:07] wish to speak in opposition? Thank you.

[1:17:14] » Good evening. My name is Victoria Hajj and I live at 505 Raleigh Street. I'm

[1:17:19] speaking this evening as a supporter of the historic French. We are speaking in

[1:17:22] opposition to the resoning of the 417 and 419 lots of Raleigh Street given the

[1:17:27] current proposal of development. We are against the resoning due to the road

[1:17:31] safety impacts that the proposed development will create from overflow

[1:17:35] parking. The developer suggests that their plan will provide plenty of

[1:17:39] parking for residents. While a twocar garage for each home looks wonderful on

[1:17:43] paper, the reality is very different. According to a study by the US

[1:17:47] Department of Energy, 25% of Americans with a twocar garage do not park a

[1:17:53] single vehicle inside. An additional 33% only park one car inside. Data local to

[1:17:59] Raleigh Street is even more extreme. The developer recently built four homes on

[1:18:03] the block adjacent to the proposed development, each with a two-car garage.

[1:18:08] 0% of the residents park a single vehicle inside of their garages. Given

[1:18:13] this data, it is reasonable to assert that the two-car garages and the 5-ft

[1:18:17] parking pads will not provide sufficient parking for the residents of the

[1:18:21] proposed development. The rear entry alleyway does not provide space for

[1:18:25] overflow parking like a traditional driveway. Consequently, this will lead

[1:18:29] to on- street parking. Overflow on street parking is guaranteed if families

[1:18:33] have a third or fourth vehicle. We understand that on street parking is

[1:18:38] common on some of our downtown streets. However, Raleigh Street is not equipped

[1:18:42] for such a practice. The average width of the road in front of the property is

[1:18:46] approximately 20 to 21 ft. When I drive to work on Friday mornings, I have to

[1:18:51] yield to oncoming traffic when the garbage cans are out. If garbage cans

[1:18:55] create a one-way street, imagine the impact of multiple vehicles parked in

[1:18:59] front of the residents. This raises many safety concerns. When speaking with the

[1:19:04] Fugquway Verina Fire Marshal earlier today, he advised that new guidance

[1:19:08] requires a minimum road width of 20 ft for an emergency vehicle to pass. That

[1:19:13] is the exact width of Raleigh Street. If any cars park on the street, emergency

[1:19:19] vehicles will be unable to pass. We are extremely blessed to live in close

[1:19:23] proximity to the fire station, but proximity is no longer beneficial when

[1:19:27] roads are blocked to emergency vehicles. Additionally, on street parking creates

[1:19:32] unsafe conditions for pedestrians and drivers given the current road

[1:19:36] conditions. Pedestrians will be forced onto the grass to avoid oncoming

[1:19:40] traffic. Visibility at the intersection of Raleigh and Inennis will be

[1:19:43] drastically reduced for drivers, potentially leading to vehicle

[1:19:46] collisions and pedestrian injuries at it is not a four-way stop. The speed limit

[1:19:51] of Raleigh Street is 35 mph, which is not conducive to driving around parked

[1:19:56] vehicles while safely avoiding pedestrians and oncoming traffic. We are

[1:20:00] disappointed that the developer's plan does not include sufficient parking on

[1:20:03] the property, whether by way of a traditional driveway like their adjacent

[1:20:06] properties or parking spots offset for the road. We care about the safety and

[1:20:10] well-being of our neighbors, and the proposed resoning endangers everyone who

[1:20:14] walks, drives, or bikes on Raleigh Street. It is that reason we reject your

[1:20:18] the resoning. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate Thank

[1:20:22] you. your observation. Thank you.

[1:20:36] » Good evening all. >> Good evening.

[1:20:37] » Good evening. >> My name is Ann Marie Miko. I have lived

[1:20:40] in the Wade Dale House at 508 East Academy Street for 39 years. I'm here

[1:20:46] with the supporters of the historic fringe. We respectfully ask that you

[1:20:50] deny the resoning request for 417419 Raleigh Street. My objection to this

[1:20:56] reszone and tear down is based on opportunity cost. By tearing down small

[1:21:00] entry-level homes and replacing them with homes that cost $600,000 and more,

[1:21:05] we are removing opportunity for many people to buy homes. We have heard

[1:21:10] proponents of this project and others like it say that the TCR designation is

[1:21:14] designed to help create missing middle housing.

[1:21:17] The missing housing in Fuway Verina is single family homes priced 350,000 and

[1:21:22] below. I spoke to many realtors, brokers, and a builder. They

[1:21:26] consistently stated that we have plenty of homes 600,000 and above. People that

[1:21:31] can afford those homes have not been deterred by current market conditions.

[1:21:36] The realtors cannot find homes below $350,000.

[1:21:40] Every realtor I spoke to said military families, firefighters and EMTs, police

[1:21:46] officers, town of Fuway Vina employees, teachers, young families, and retirees

[1:21:51] looking to decrease expense cannot find homes to buy in Fugquway Verina. Part of

[1:21:57] the solution to this problem is sitting right in front of us. The affordable

[1:22:00] 20th century homes located west and east of downtown are often between 250 and

[1:22:06] 350,000. The alarming problem is that developers

[1:22:09] are making offers on homes that are not listed for sale, buying to tear down,

[1:22:14] and building houses that do not fit the neighborhoods in scale, in character,

[1:22:18] and in price. The process creates a very negative impact for current and future

[1:22:22] homeowners in the neighborhoods. Property values are significantly and

[1:22:26] artificially inflated. Property taxes are escalated to a cost that can drive

[1:22:30] homeowners out of long cherished homes. And modest homes that so many people

[1:22:35] might afford end up in a landfill without those families ever having a

[1:22:39] chance to make an offer. Benefits of home ownership are well known.

[1:22:43] Connection and commitment to community. The proud accomplishment of shelter for

[1:22:48] a family. A chance to build personal wealth. An asset that can be leveraged

[1:22:52] for children's education. A chance to change your circumstance. Our

[1:22:56] exponential growth will require more and more essential service workers. They do

[1:23:00] the jobs that we don't have the ability to do and sometimes we don't want to do.

[1:23:05] They should be part of the fabric of this community, not day laborers who

[1:23:10] drive in and out for miles because they can't fi cannot find a place that they

[1:23:14] can afford to buy in Fuway. We can do better. Towns around us are developing

[1:23:19] programs from which we can learn. It's a tremendous opportunity to bring people

[1:23:22] together. Mayor Harris and commissioners, I implore you to make

[1:23:26] workforce housing a top priority in our town. Our community can work together to

[1:23:31] address this problem. We have an asset in these homes that can be part of the

[1:23:34] solution. I appreciate this process for public input when there are important

[1:23:38] issues to resolve. The issue we address tonight deserves longer, more thoughtful

[1:23:42] conversation than public comments allow. We request you commit to addressing this

[1:23:47] pro problem. We would like to work with you.

[1:23:50] » Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your comments.

[1:23:53] [clears throat] Thank you.

[1:23:56] Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:24:02] » Okay. Thank you. >> So sorry. Hello. I'm Corey Wear. I live

[1:24:06] at 405 East Spring Street in the wonderful downtown Fugquway. Thank you

[1:24:10] for your time, mayor and commissioners. I am here with my fellow neighbors to

[1:24:14] speak in opposition of the 417 and 419 Raleigh Street project. As I'm a

[1:24:18] supporter of the historic French, my husband and our two sons, now ages three

[1:24:23] and five, moved into the neighborhood in 2023. We previously lived in a new

[1:24:27] construction home off Fleming Loop with a nice low interest rate. We sold it for

[1:24:32] our now much smaller, much older home. You are probably thinking, as many

[1:24:36] people did, why on earth would you do that? We moved because the charm of our

[1:24:40] 1955 home, the mature trees and walkability are things you cannot find

[1:24:44] in a new community. Every weekend we walked to get coffee, the parks,

[1:24:49] downtown events, and our friends houses in the neighborhood. What is there not

[1:24:52] to love? I remember in one previous meeting, in this meeting, the

[1:24:56] representative from Pine State commented that they outgrew their home in downtown

[1:24:59] Fugway. People thought we were crazy from downsizing from 2200 to,300 ft with

[1:25:05] young kids, but we love living in a smaller home. I clean it quickly. We

[1:25:09] spend lots of family time together, and it function and flows much better than

[1:25:12] the two new construction homes we owned previously. Our cozy little home is

[1:25:16] truly my favorite my family's favorite place to be and we plan to live there

[1:25:20] for the rest of our lives. I am so excited for the future of our downtown.

[1:25:24] I am supportive of growth and improvements and I always tried to sell

[1:25:27] my friends on how wonderful living in downtown Fugquway is. There are many

[1:25:31] homes that have been renovated and still have the charm of their original bones.

[1:25:34] I also understand some of the houses are in bad shape and are too far gone to be

[1:25:38] saved. However, putting three row homes on that corner lot does not fit the

[1:25:42] character of the neighborhood. These houses will tower over neighbors, be

[1:25:45] scarily close to each other, and stick out like a sore thumb on that corner. My

[1:25:49] family walks and my kids ride their bikes in that area frequently. The

[1:25:52] parking nightmare, as many people have stated, is terrifying for a parent.

[1:25:58] Once we all know that garages are not used for a car, they're used for

[1:26:03] storage. Most homes have two drivers and two cars and once teenagers can drive

[1:26:08] more. I am worried about the safety of that corner as the plans call for the

[1:26:11] shared alleyway for these homes. I am a daughter of a small business owner and

[1:26:16] an employee of that business. So, I totally understand Pine State's

[1:26:19] approach. I am not here to attack them. I know they love our town. They have

[1:26:22] built many beautiful homes and are success successful in what they do. I

[1:26:26] also think it's important that they respect the look of the neighborhoods

[1:26:29] and input of the neighbors. As someone with very expensive taste and a lover of

[1:26:32] nice things, I believe they can still do this to their quality level without

[1:26:36] being intrusive to the neighborhood. I don't know if my comments will make a

[1:26:39] difference in the outcome tonight, but I would lose sleep at night if I didn't

[1:26:42] take the time to share them. I am passionate about our passionate about

[1:26:46] our downtown and feel the need to try to protect the homes and the charm while

[1:26:50] advocating for growth in the right way. I'd love to see more people live down

[1:26:54] here, more small businesses able to survive and improvements to some issues

[1:26:57] like sidewalks and connecting the two downtowns. I hope you all will take the

[1:27:01] time to drive by the current lot in question, visualize what is in the

[1:27:04] plans, and understand why there is a petition in so many signatures. Again, I

[1:27:08] do not oppose a building on this lot, but I do oppose disregarding the input

[1:27:12] of neighbors and milking a lot for every inch.

[1:27:15] » Thank you for your comments. We appreciate you. Thank you.

[1:27:21] » Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:27:31] Good evening, mayor and commissioners. My name is Jim Hunsburgger. I live at

[1:27:34] 508 East Academy Street. I'm a former commissioner for the town of Fuway, as

[1:27:39] many of you know. Tonight, I am here with the supporters of the historic

[1:27:42] fringe. In 1996, I was fortunate to be part of a group of neighbors who worked

[1:27:48] to establish the first nationally registered historic district in town

[1:27:52] known as the Fugway Springs Historic District.

[1:27:56] Today I am fortunate to live in a neighborhood we refer to as the historic

[1:27:59] fringe. Historic because our neighborhood contains significant

[1:28:03] numbers of historic homes from the same era as the properties in our nationally

[1:28:08] registered historic district. Fringe because we border the historic district.

[1:28:13] Fugquway Springs historic district contains 37 properties. Our historic

[1:28:17] Fringe neighborhood includes nearly 40 homes identified by the museums of Fuway

[1:28:22] Verina as historic properties. properties that have been part of

[1:28:25] landmark home and garden tours over the decades. The average age of homes in our

[1:28:30] neighborhood is 75 over 75 years. A fact that highlights the historic

[1:28:36] significance not only to us as residents but to our town as well. The history of

[1:28:42] 20th century architecture and our town is well represented by the diversity of

[1:28:46] our homes. included our fine examples of colonial revival, craftsman, bungalow,

[1:28:52] Cape Cod, mid-century modern, and the ever practical ranch.

[1:28:57] This architectural variety is remarkable and worthy of preservation. It is

[1:29:02] important to mention that ours is not the only pocket of 20th century homes in

[1:29:06] Fugquway Verina. Others are located west and east of downtown.

[1:29:11] A sense of place was created in our neighborhood with traditional design,

[1:29:14] use of scale, consistent setbacks, building heights, complimentary facads

[1:29:20] and fenestration elements with strong entryways and visually pleasing side

[1:29:25] elevations. These venerable 20th century architectural elements fit together to

[1:29:30] contribute to the authentic look and feel that is very evident throughout our

[1:29:34] neighborhood. There is harmony in the rhythm created

[1:29:38] by the relationship of home to neighboring home, of home to lot, and of

[1:29:44] lot to streetscape. This neighborhood authenticity took the better part of a

[1:29:48] century to establish in our neighborhood. As proposed, this reszone

[1:29:53] request will will redefine not only the look and feel of the neighborhood, but

[1:29:57] also the sense of place. The pleasing, authentically historic rhythm will be

[1:30:02] lost. But this does not need to happen. We can be the town that chooses to save

[1:30:06] this part of our heritage. We can look to examples of other towns in North

[1:30:09] Carolina that have created character preserving overlays to work with the

[1:30:14] land development ordinances and land use plans to create protections and

[1:30:18] encourage enhancing infill development. As such, we ask that you deny this

[1:30:22] resoning map amendment request. And I thank you for your time. Thank you for

[1:30:26] your service as well. >> Thank you so much.

[1:30:30] Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:30:34] Thank you. >> Hi all.

[1:30:37] I'm very very nervous. I'm just going to read.

[1:30:40] » Take your time. >> My name is Audrey Weiss and my husband

[1:30:44] Will and I purchased 416 Raleigh Street in October 2024. When we walked into our

[1:30:50] soontobe home, we knew immediately it was what we wanted. After seeing the

[1:30:55] home, we drove slightly up the road to find lunch, which we did at Vicious

[1:30:58] Fishes. We discussed the charm of the house and the neighborhood, how we could

[1:31:03] walk to downtown for a meal or beverage or to shop. We put in an offer and

[1:31:08] closed in a month. We named her Zelda after F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife. She

[1:31:13] was, after all, a well-known woman of the period time period that our home was

[1:31:18] built in. A gal who liked me loved to entertain. Our home is the ideal home

[1:31:25] for entertaining. Ask my neighbors. After we moved in, I joined the Fugway

[1:31:30] Verina Woman's Club and was put on two committees. One being civic's

[1:31:34] engagement, the other was fundraising. I have hosted the fundraising committee

[1:31:38] several times in our enormous kitchen. Our home was one of the homes featured

[1:31:43] in the 2025 Fugquway Arena Women's Club Holiday Home Tour. And at that time, I

[1:31:49] was given the history of our home for the tour and am so proud to know that it

[1:31:53] holds a little piece of town history. Bey Wright and her husband inherited the

[1:31:58] land from her father, Steven Fugquway. And they built their home in 1920. I

[1:32:03] believe that makes our home the oldest on the block. Our 106-year-old home with

[1:32:09] the charming yard and front porch that hosts weekly Friday evening social hour,

[1:32:14] weather permitting. The front porch where I call the neighbors walking down

[1:32:18] the street to come and sit a spell. The front porch where I sit with our dog and

[1:32:22] read when there's a nice breeze. The front porch that I won't be sitting in

[1:32:28] sitting on if the builder is allowed to build these very tall, very deep homes

[1:32:32] with very little room between them and incredibly shallow front yards right

[1:32:37] across the street from Zelda and the cottages on either side of us. I moved

[1:32:42] to North Carolina from New York for the military and fell in love with the small

[1:32:47] towns, the small town feel. These row homes that the builder would like to

[1:32:51] build belong in a city like Queens, New York, not on the fringe of the historic

[1:32:56] downtown of a quaint town like Fugquway Arena. We ask that you vote against

[1:33:02] resoning. >> Did you state your name again for Audrey

[1:33:05] Weiss? >> Audrey White. Thank you. Appreciate it.

[1:33:08] Thank you.

[1:33:15] next. Oh, thank you. >> Hi.

[1:33:18] » Good evening, Mayor uh and commissioners and town management. My name is Lauri

[1:33:23] Chamberlain. I live at 404 Wade Street and I am a supporter of the historic

[1:33:27] French. Mayor Harris and commissioners, you guys

[1:33:30] have heard a lot tonight. You've heard about neighborhood character, historic

[1:33:35] preservation, affordability, pedestrian safety, traffic and parking,

[1:33:42] storm waters, flooding, and what can happen when redevelopment occurs one

[1:33:47] property at a time without considering the cumulative cumulative effect.

[1:33:53] Those all sound like separate issues, but they're really not. They're all part

[1:33:57] of a larger question that we have tonight. How does Fugway Verina grow

[1:34:02] without losing what makes Fugway Verina Fugway Verina?

[1:34:08] We know that our town's future has a lot of change and growth coming. And we

[1:34:12] believe that this gives us a great opportunity, an opportunity for

[1:34:16] residents and elected leaders to work side by side, welcoming that growth

[1:34:20] while preserving the character and sense of place that make our town so very

[1:34:24] special. Our town um our town community vision plan gives us a roadmap. It

[1:34:31] prioritizes preserv uh preserving the character of stable neighborhoods. It

[1:34:36] says new homes should be compatible with adjacent properties that scale and

[1:34:41] setback matter and that we should be mindful of

[1:34:45] unintended consequences with inappropriate infill. Those ideas were

[1:34:50] not accidentally put into the land use plan and they aren't anti-growth.

[1:34:57] They are our shared vision of how we're supposed to grow going forward. With

[1:35:02] that in mind, we have two asks. Our first ask is to respectfully ask you to

[1:35:07] vote no on the resoning of 74 uh 417 and 419 Raleigh Street.

[1:35:12] We ask that redevelopment better reflect the scale, character, and intent the

[1:35:17] community vision plan described for our neighborhood.

[1:35:21] This decision is bigger than just these two projects or these two lots. It's

[1:35:26] going to help shape the redevelopment in the historic fringe going forward.

[1:35:31] Our second ask goes beyond this project. We ask that the town establish an

[1:35:37] stakeholders advisory committee to work with residents and planning staff and

[1:35:41] elected officials to create a clearer framework for

[1:35:46] redevelopment in the historic fringe. One that addresses the current TCR

[1:35:50] standards and develops an overlay protection necessary to preserve the

[1:35:54] character and sense of place of our neighborhood. Without this framework,

[1:35:59] we're just going to end up right back here in a week or a month when the next

[1:36:03] project comes up. and we're going to express the same concerns.

[1:36:07] We know that growth uh is coming and will continue to come and we welcome

[1:36:13] thoughtful change and we welcome new neighbors. We just want to make sure

[1:36:17] that whatever the new development is that it makes sense and it belongs in

[1:36:22] the neighborhood that it's going to be built in. We truly believe that

[1:36:26] residents and this board [music] can accomplish that together.

[1:36:29] » Thank you. Thank you very much. Appreciate your comments. Thank you.

[1:36:33] gonna have to be the end. Does anyone else wish to speak in

[1:36:39] opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[1:36:49] If not, the hearing is now closed. Closed,

[1:36:54] [clears throat] excuse me. Any discussion by the board?

[1:37:04] first. >> I'll go first. Sure. Commissioner

[1:37:08] Warren. >> So, I think yeah, we we heard a lot of

[1:37:10] good comments uh tonight and I think a lot of it touches on the

[1:37:15] dilemma we're facing here in Pway as summed up by the last speaker Lori. Uh

[1:37:21] we are a very fast growing town and I think you know the PCR zoning was meant

[1:37:27] to try and address that. Uh I was looking at the numbers talking about the

[1:37:33] numbers last night. You know we're about 40,000 people now here in Pway Arena. Uh

[1:37:38] I believe in the next 10 years that's expected to increase by about 50%.

[1:37:44] So somehow we do have to address this and we do

[1:37:49] have to think about how we grow and we do have to think about the location of

[1:37:52] this neighborhood. And so, you know, I'll be honest, coming in tonight, I had

[1:37:57] no idea how I was going to vote on this. And I really still have no idea how I

[1:38:01] was going to vote on this. So I, you know, personally, I have a little

[1:38:06] bit more to learn and would like to take some time to study this issue and maybe

[1:38:11] see how other towns in the area are are approaching these issues. You know,

[1:38:18] we're we're going to grow. Um, you can see on the on the maps that have

[1:38:24] been presented that this this is and I believe Pam mentioned some numbers in

[1:38:29] terms of density. Sorry, Director Davidson.

[1:38:33] So, I I think I wanted I would like to see how other towns before we maybe

[1:38:39] approve this um approach this

[1:38:44] because the neighborhood's going to grow. We're we're going to we're going

[1:38:48] to change, but how do we tackle this the scale and the timing, I think, is

[1:38:54] what I'm I'm trying to um consider. So,

[1:39:01] I would probably be in favor of tableabling the motion so I can get a

[1:39:04] chance to think about it some more.

[1:39:10] » Is that a motion? >> Comment. Commissioner Smith, then

[1:39:13] Commissioner, >> I'd let them go first. I was just wonder

[1:39:15] if he had made a motion, but it's not. It's not.

[1:39:17] » Okay. All right. >> Commissioner Hayes, did you have a

[1:39:19] comment or question? >> Yes, Mr. Mayor. Uh, just uh I guess a

[1:39:22] few few comments. Uh uh uh yeah, I've thought about this um issue a lot. I've

[1:39:30] met with a lot of people. I've heard that we don't meet with people and

[1:39:33] different things, but I've met with a lot of people on this agenda, on this

[1:39:37] item. Um and people who I hold dearly as friends and everything. So this is, you

[1:39:43] know, um and I share with them very transparent thoughts on me, uh from my

[1:39:49] heart a lot of time. And I I explained stuff and few things I had to understand

[1:39:52] was you know what what if if this doesn't pass what what could Pine State

[1:39:58] build they can come back in and build two duplexes if I'm correct it's no it's

[1:40:04] one duplex or two duplex can you help me out Director

[1:40:08] » Davidson >> so that the size of the lot would not

[1:40:12] support two duplexes the density would be too high

[1:40:15] » okay >> so what they could build is they could

[1:40:17] go into the lot of record and they could build two homes, one on each lot, um,

[1:40:22] under the lot of record reduced setback. So that would give them potentially

[1:40:26] they'd still have to meet the 30- foot front setback, but 5t on the sides, 10

[1:40:30] feet on the rear with front-loaded garages.

[1:40:32] » All right. Thank you so much. I just Well, I wanted to get that out so we

[1:40:36] know where we at. Um, and um, you know, I I share with a lot of people um,

[1:40:42] the the things that have happened with TCR. Um and and if you go back in

[1:40:47] record, I I made a comment probably a year and a half, two years ago that t

[1:40:52] that we would be dealing with this issue all over town of FQ Arena. I I won't

[1:40:56] shout from this and it's it's on record anyway. You know, the community I grew

[1:40:59] up in, the Lincoln Heights community has dealt with TCR more than anybody. And I

[1:41:04] won't and I won't back down from that. Um and this is a little bit different

[1:41:07] because we're going from two lives to three lives. uh that has been said but

[1:41:11] also you have to understand that the character of the Lincoln Heights

[1:41:14] community was totally different before TCR happened and other things happened.

[1:41:20] We were a community of brick ranch home ranch style homes for years. Uh there

[1:41:25] was a few few actually my grandfather had the first town home complex in the

[1:41:30] Lincoln Heights community. So, I know what it was when he tried to get that

[1:41:34] built. But also, you have to understand that now we have houses that are

[1:41:37] towering over multiple residents beside me's houses. Uh, we just dealt with one

[1:41:43] that we've been dealing with for about a year that was going to tower over a

[1:41:46] neighbor's um property, too. So, you know, I I tell people I have to be fair

[1:41:51] in this situation, too. I don't know which way I'm gonna vote, and I'll be

[1:41:53] honest with you, I don't. But I also have to understand that I have to be

[1:41:56] fair. As I state all the time, I represent every town of F, every citizen

[1:42:00] town of FA Arena. Doesn't matter what community you stay in, what community

[1:42:04] you don't stay in. And I have to be honest about that. So, I was kind of

[1:42:07] torn with this one because I've seen the effects of different houses being built.

[1:42:12] And I mean, I'm not saying Pine State is building a home on the street behind me

[1:42:16] now. Uh, and and you know, um, that is a two-story home. And we've had homes that

[1:42:21] are being built kind of like this and have been built on Washington Street on

[1:42:24] the corner of Washington Street where they are uh rear loading um uh row

[1:42:30] houses that are twotory that were not uh historically built on that on in that on

[1:42:35] those properties. So um you know I I'm in favor with the table. Um, I I do want

[1:42:39] to see what other municipalities around us are, how they're dealing. And and I'm

[1:42:44] not saying that I'm not taking away the historic fringe part of it either, but

[1:42:48] y'all have to understand that historically in the Lake Heights

[1:42:50] community has a history, too. And I and I and I won't back down from that as

[1:42:54] well. So, I'm taking all this in when I'm listening to each and every one of

[1:42:58] you. So, I I'm in favor of the table as well. But, I want to say that so you

[1:43:02] understand my heart in this situation as well. Um, and that doesn't change

[1:43:06] without our I'll vote or anything else like that. Um, but you know, I

[1:43:10] understand you what you're saying and I understand the effects of hap have

[1:43:14] happened throughout the years and also have to understand I have to be fair to

[1:43:17] all citizens of FQA. Those are my comments. Mr. Mayor,

[1:43:21] » thank you for your comments. Commissioner Smith, you had a comment.

[1:43:24] » Yes, sir. I I won't belabor it long. I think um I think Commissioner Haynes

[1:43:30] covered a lot of the things I wanted to say trying to look at this. Um I too

[1:43:36] have been to the community and met with several of the folks live in the

[1:43:39] community. I've been out on my own just riding, stopping, looking multiple

[1:43:44] times. Even stopped some poor fellow was cutting his grass the other day, walked

[1:43:49] up in his yard so he'd cut off his lawnmower and chatted with him about it.

[1:43:52] just trying to get a little bit more information of how the community feels.

[1:43:56] But like Commissioner Haynes said, I do have to look at what we've done in other

[1:44:00] communities. Uh what we have built and allowed to be built. Have to look at

[1:44:04] what the land use plan actually says, what what it states we would do and what

[1:44:09] we would support. And I too uh that's why when you mentioned table I asked you

[1:44:14] if it was a motion like you and like Commissioner Haynes I support a

[1:44:19] timelmited um you know time for us to table it not

[1:44:24] not indefinitely um that we can get a little bit more information maybe direct

[1:44:28] our staff to go and discuss with some of our similar towns in our region how they

[1:44:34] are dealing with this same issue. get a little bit of history history of what

[1:44:38] they're doing to help us make the right decisions here. Um, obviously we're

[1:44:44] getting um good information. I think the homes that this this builder builds are

[1:44:48] nice. Personally, I like the plan. I've seen some nice rowouses in this general

[1:44:52] area, but at the same time, we're hearing from folks who live right around

[1:44:56] this one who are opposed to it. And I think it's important that we listen. So

[1:45:01] I I would like to also join it with the course of saying let's put this off. I

[1:45:06] would say no more than a month, second month and second meeting in September,

[1:45:10] something like that. But um I'll defer to what Mayor Pro Tim or Commissioner

[1:45:16] Acock have to say as well. >> Any other comments?

[1:45:21] » Um I'll make a few comments. Uh first of all to the uh folks that have spoken in

[1:45:27] opposition, I just want to tell y'all um thank you because I think y'all done a

[1:45:33] great job. um you've uh I've had people call me and

[1:45:39] very respectful uh want to uh make sure I understood the position of the

[1:45:46] neighborhood and um you know looked at uh the board I think as a partner to try

[1:45:54] to come up with the best solution for the neighborhood. So I appreciate that.

[1:45:59] Um they also appreciate Pine State because

[1:46:04] they have done some really good uh built some really nice assets in the town of

[1:46:10] Fugquway Verina. So um you know I I appreciate what they do but you know we

[1:46:16] can't sometimes um you know that's what makes our job tough. We get kind of in

[1:46:21] between two sides and hope we can come up with the best solution. Um the TCR,

[1:46:28] we have done some really we we have approved some TCRs that I think has

[1:46:33] resulted in some really nice stuff around town, stuff that I personally am

[1:46:37] proud of that I think has made the town a better place. Um, but it is a unique

[1:46:43] um, uh, zoning and a lot of the things that I like about it is it allows uh,

[1:46:50] builders a lot of times to have more uh, they can build a different it gives them

[1:46:54] more leeway, more product because they can alter the setbacks in some cases and

[1:47:00] it gives them some u more leeway. But when they've come in, they've always

[1:47:07] been able to say, uh, you know, give us a presentation that made me feel like

[1:47:13] the final product was going to be better than if they just used the existing

[1:47:18] zoning that was currently in place. Um the Lincoln Heights neighborhood is one

[1:47:24] that we have struggled a lot with and a lot of the lots in that neighborhood

[1:47:28] when they are originally platted were platted 25 foot wide and so somebody

[1:47:36] that you know back then it was like select a size people would buy three

[1:47:40] lots and and build their house on it. Well a developer buys that house and

[1:47:45] tears it down and they've legally got three lots and can build three little

[1:47:48] houses. And so we've used the TCR to try to get a better product in that uh

[1:47:55] situation. And there are other examples of that. Um in this neighborhood

[1:48:02] in general, the lots are not um the lots are not platted at 25 foot wide. I think

[1:48:10] probably the smallest is about 50 foot wide. and this proposal is pushing it

[1:48:16] down under 50 feet for most of these lots. So, I'm trying to see um that the

[1:48:25] proposal is going to be something that will be beneficial. And frankly with

[1:48:30] this crowd here and with what you all have done or have with with u opposing

[1:48:36] it, it makes me say you know um it gives me a great pause in wanting to approve

[1:48:43] it because you know what I hope is I hope that the community and the builder

[1:48:48] could get together and say look under the current zoning I can do this but you

[1:48:53] know try to come up with a compromise everybody can uh feel good about. If

[1:48:57] that can't happen, then so be it. But that would be my my my my my hope. Um I

[1:49:04] don't think we need to throw TCR out with the bath water, baby out with the

[1:49:09] bath water. But I do think we need to um um spend a lot of time just TCR as a

[1:49:17] whole on how we deal with it because these neighborhoods around town are

[1:49:22] different. And if we put the same TCR on everyone, it puts us in a difficult

[1:49:28] position trying to maneuver all the ins and outs. And you know, the other thing

[1:49:32] is there's no sidewalk in front of this. Some neighborhoods have sidewalks in the

[1:49:36] front of the house. It makes a difference when you talk about

[1:49:38] walkability. This one has a sidewalk beside it. Just all kinds of things like

[1:49:43] that. So, um, I am very conflicted on it and I am not in a position to vote in

[1:49:52] favor of it tonight. So tableabling it sounds uh like a very reasonable option.

[1:49:59] » Mr. Mayor, I also heard a few uh things, you know, I I think, you know, we should

[1:50:04] take in consideration as a board. Um um you know, one thing is, you know, we're

[1:50:09] still working on trying to find that missing middle housing that we have here

[1:50:12] in town is still needed. And we all understand that that, you know, as

[1:50:17] property taxes keep going up. It's it's pricing a lot of senior citizens,

[1:50:20] different people out of homes. And now for our new residents who are coming in

[1:50:23] who are just starting to buy their first home. It's very hard for them to

[1:50:26] purchase homes and get mortgages. So that is something we still need to

[1:50:30] address at some point in time as a board and I think it needs to be start to kind

[1:50:35] of focus on that which is which is easier said than done because if you

[1:50:39] talk to municipalities all around us it's it's it's a hard thing to really

[1:50:42] try to figure out you know and it's not something that we we really got to work

[1:50:45] on that but I think we do. Um, also, you know, there are some things I've heard

[1:50:49] about the historic district, which I feel like, uh, you know, long term, we

[1:50:53] need to kind of look at some more of the historic district stuff on to where we

[1:50:56] can, uh, work to, uh, preserve some of that historic district of downtown

[1:51:01] Fugway that was originally there. Uh, I think we need to make sure that it is n

[1:51:06] I think it is nationally recognized or through the state. I got to find out

[1:51:09] which if it's been state and and nationally recognized as a historic

[1:51:13] district uh our down our historic part of downtown

[1:51:17] » Fuway Springs. >> Well Springs historic district

[1:51:20] » well isn't um almost Falcon Park and everything in the it's not so it's just

[1:51:26] Fuway Springs >> kind of near the spring the few blocks

[1:51:31] near the spring but not this is that's why I think that's why they're calling

[1:51:34] it historic fringe because it's >> close. Okay.

[1:51:39] Thank you. >> Y you always got to look to the senior

[1:51:42] person who's been who's been living a little bit longer than me. [laughter]

[1:51:45] » Thank you. Thank you. >> Any other comments?

[1:51:50] » Yes, I may pro Tim Gardner. >> I'm not going to criticize you for your

[1:51:53] [laughter] I'm not going to criticize you for your youth and inexperience.

[1:52:00] [laughter] >> Oh boy, what a great comeback.

[1:52:03] » I can use that. >> Mayor, you can say that for me, too.

[1:52:08] » [laughter] >> Um

[1:52:11] I I have some experience in these in a lot of different areas with this area

[1:52:15] too. I mean with this part of town too. Um I actually was u with my listing

[1:52:21] partner. We sold the property that was now some of you are going to know where

[1:52:27] this was Donald Cotton's old house on Inis Street and that house um had some

[1:52:33] serious and you know we we called it my partner and I called it the little house

[1:52:38] that kept on taking >> because uh it it we just kept finding

[1:52:42] problems that had to be addressed and it it it needed to be torn down too. And I

[1:52:48] I understand um that the uh p the the the builder that bought

[1:52:55] that lot was hoping to make to to have three houses on that lot. Uh and the

[1:53:02] town approved two and um I mean it wasn't as offensive to me as I

[1:53:09] thought it would be. I also lived in the Fquway uh Springs Historic Residential

[1:53:15] District. for 12 and a half years until family circumstances of a couple of

[1:53:21] deaths in my family including my late husband. Um I I had to move to a smaller

[1:53:27] house because everybody was leaving me in this in this old wonderful house and

[1:53:32] I I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to leave because I I I know I love

[1:53:37] exactly the things you all were describing and I lived that life for 12

[1:53:41] and a half years. So I I understand a lot of what I'm hearing, but I heard

[1:53:45] lots of new things that I had not even considered. And I had been going through

[1:53:49] these, you know, the things uh in our um land development

[1:53:56] uh paperwork here and making notes and you all brought you did such a beautiful

[1:54:01] job and you were so respectful expressing your opinions and we thank

[1:54:05] you for for this presentation you did tonight. You served your community well.

[1:54:11] Um, I am not ready to make a decision tonight. In fact, I'd already c called

[1:54:15] and left the mayor a message earlier to today that I thought if I didn't hear

[1:54:19] anything, I wanted to hear what was said and presented tonight, but that I was re

[1:54:24] really feeling conflicted and thinking we needed more time to consider this

[1:54:28] because it does represent more than just this project. I do understand that and I

[1:54:35] I agree with everything these my my other commissioners here have my fellow

[1:54:41] commissioners have said. Um and and I think we need to take some time to think

[1:54:47] about this uh traditional historic one of our oldest residential

[1:54:53] neighborhoods. And um the you know the thing that we're always hearing other

[1:54:58] people say about this town when they come is something about the charm. And I

[1:55:02] know that this community this this area um adds to that to that impression of

[1:55:10] charm that people have when they come to this town. And you expressed it

[1:55:14] beautifully tonight. But I think we do need to to just find out what some other

[1:55:20] communities have how they've handled these issues because North Carolina is

[1:55:24] growing fast all over and we we're not alone in some of the issues we're

[1:55:28] facing. Thank you all for being here and for um expressing your concerns and

[1:55:35] thank you Pine State for the beautiful work that you have um done throughout

[1:55:41] our town. you you have you have have built some quality products and we

[1:55:45] appreciate that. So, um I would like to make a motion, mayor.

[1:55:49] » All right, you >> um I move that we table consideration of

[1:55:56] um the re-2026-11

[1:56:01] uh zoning map amendment to to the second meeting in September. Is that adequate

[1:56:08] to say it that way, James? attorney >> sec second meeting in September. The

[1:56:14] date >> September 22nd.

[1:56:17] » September 22nd. >> Yes, sir.

[1:56:20] » Okay, that would be the second meeting. >> Yes, sir.

[1:56:22] » I'll I'll second that motion. >> Uh, all right. We have a motion on the

[1:56:26] floor that we uh table 202611 to be heard again September 22nd, 2026.

[1:56:38] Mr. Town Manager, you have a comment. Does that motion include any direction

[1:56:41] for management and staff to do anything between that time?

[1:56:46] » Can I amend that and add that to it? >> With the request of management staff

[1:56:50] research similarsized towns in our region as to residential redevelopment

[1:56:55] and residential infield development uh in areas located near the downtown areas

[1:57:00] of those communities. Would that suffice, Mr. Manager?

[1:57:04] » Second. That >> Okay. Okay. Well, we what we just heard

[1:57:06] then a motion and amendment to the motion. You second the amendment.

[1:57:11] » Second the amendment. Yes. >> All right. All those in favor of the

[1:57:13] amendment to the original motion, let it be known by saying I.

[1:57:16] » I. >> Any oppose?

[1:57:19] » Eyes have it. The original motion dies. Thank you. Thank you so much. So, you

[1:57:23] have clear direction. >> Mr. Mayor, I think we need to approve

[1:57:27] the amended motion, right? >> We approve the We voted to approve the

[1:57:32] amended motion. I think >> I just added amendment to her motion.

[1:57:35] » I think you voted for the amendment. >> The the amended motion

[1:57:39] » further clarified directions for the staff. Correct.

[1:57:43] » So now we need to vote on the motion now that it's been amended.

[1:57:46] » That's right. >> The amended. All right. We go we go back

[1:57:49] to the main motion. >> Now the Now the motion is amended. So we

[1:57:52] just get a second and a vote. >> Uh Commissioner Warren, you didn't

[1:57:56] second that amendment. >> I So I second amendment. We approved the

[1:58:00] motion and um I think we now have to approve the

[1:58:03] » amended motion >> as amended. [laughter]

[1:58:05] » Okay. All right. Sorry. Now, do I hear a motion to approve the

[1:58:11] amended motion? >> I

[1:58:14] » can I do it since I did the other motion?

[1:58:16] » No. >> No. Somebody else should.

[1:58:19] » So moved. >> All right. So moved. All those in favor

[1:58:22] let it be known by saying I. >> I. Any oppose?

[1:58:25] » Did we have to second that? >> I have it. Yes. All right. Are we clear?

[1:58:29] » I I am I am clear. Yes, [laughter]

[1:58:34] » Mr. Mayor. I guess before a lot of the uh citizens in that uh in that area

[1:58:39] leave, you know, you know, just thinking as we're sitting here thinking uh you

[1:58:43] know uh we still want to hear your comments on how, you know, you want to

[1:58:46] shape, you know, uh your area of the community. I think that's also another

[1:58:50] thing that we can can be raised is oftent times we struggle with trying to

[1:58:54] link our our two downtowns together. And you know, if you use two of those roads

[1:58:59] in that community, you can link Fugway to Verina on a more safer route at

[1:59:04] times. So, you know, there's a lot of opportunities we can look at long term

[1:59:08] or where we can kind of link those roads and we can take from the Fugquway

[1:59:11] downtown in a different route compared to going straight down Main Street at a

[1:59:16] safer walking uh having safer walking paths and different things would take us

[1:59:19] to the verena side uh right up uh in street. So, you know, those are some

[1:59:24] things, you know, just throwing out there for the citizens to give us some

[1:59:27] feedback on long term and where we can kind of work on some different things.

[1:59:31] Thank you'all for being here. >> Any other comments? Okay. All right.

[1:59:36] Thank Thank you all. We're going to move now on to item

[1:59:41] 7D. Continuing with public hearings, the zoning map amendment and land use plan

[1:59:47] amendment. Samson Blaten Oil Company. uh 2201 2205 and a portion of 2221

[1:59:55] Pinery Grove Wilburn Road RAZ 202612. Thank you all so much for coming. We

[2:00:03] appreciate it so much. Planning Director Davidson.

[2:00:08] » Thank you. I'm submitting the agenda abstract and supporting documents into

[2:00:11] the official records of the town. The purpose of this agenda item is to

[2:00:16] consider a requested zoning map amendment for a total of 4.591 acres

[2:00:20] located at 22012205 in a portion of 2221

[2:00:25] Piny Grove Won Road from the neighborhood commercial and residential

[2:00:29] agricultural zoning districts to the general commercial conditional zoning

[2:00:33] district and corresponding land use plan amendment from the neighborhood

[2:00:36] commercial classification to the suburban commercial classification.

[2:00:41] The property currently contains an existing convenience store and is the

[2:00:45] proposed location of Handy Hugo's gas station, which is currently under site

[2:00:49] plan review. Recent amendments to the land development ordinance redefined

[2:00:53] convenience stores with gas pumps to gas stations, which are now only allowed in

[2:00:58] the corridor, commercial, and general commercial zoning districts. This

[2:01:02] resoning request and proposed land use plan amendment will serve to better

[2:01:05] align the current and future use of the property with the land development

[2:01:08] ordinance. Although the requested zoning map amendment is not consistent with the

[2:01:13] 2040 community vision land use plan, the petitioner has also submitted a request

[2:01:17] to amend the land use designation to suburban commercial which supports the

[2:01:21] land use plans policies 2.6 to encourage commercial development

[2:01:26] and 4.1 to manage future growth and development in accordance with priority

[2:01:30] investment areas map. This resoning was subject to the town's new traffic impact

[2:01:35] standards and the development will be designed in accordance with the NC DOT

[2:01:40] TIA review recommendations including internal protected stem lengths, storage

[2:01:46] lanes, and lane ninja improvements. On July 20th, 2026, the planning board

[2:01:51] unanimously recommended approval. The suggested motion tonight is to approve

[2:01:56] rec 202612, a zoning map amendment for 22012205

[2:02:02] and a portion of 2221 Piney Grove Won Road from the neighborhood commercial

[2:02:07] and residential agricultural zoning districts to the general commercial

[2:02:10] conditional zoning district and corresponding land use amendment from

[2:02:14] the neighborhood commercial classification to the suburban

[2:02:18] commercial classification as it is reasonable and in the best interest of

[2:02:22] the public. for the reasons identified by management and staff. I'm available

[2:02:26] if you have any questions. >> Thank you.

[2:02:30] » The hearing is now open. >> Does anyone wish to speak in favor of

[2:02:35] the zoning map amendment and land use plan amendment?

[2:02:41] » Mayor, good evening again. John Adcock Law Firm at 202 East Academy Street. I'm

[2:02:46] here on behalf of the owner and the applicant. Um, the purpose of this

[2:02:49] zoning map amendment is to redevelop what's an existing convenience store

[2:02:52] that's been there since the 1950s, one that I grew up going to and still do.

[2:02:57] Um, it's very limited in what type of services it can provide. Um, the uh the

[2:03:02] this will be a modern uh convenience store with that also has retail gasoline

[2:03:07] sales. Um, there was a question brought to the planning board about the size of

[2:03:10] the property. Part of the reason the property is the size that it is because

[2:03:14] this project will be supp um serviced by a a private septic system. Um so in

[2:03:20] order to do that there will need to be a area for the septic system and a repair

[2:03:24] field. So when you look at the acreage on this project uh it it's not

[2:03:28] indicative of how big of a project this is going to be. A lot of it's associated

[2:03:32] with the septic field. Um also I'll speak briefly to the transportation

[2:03:36] improvements. Um as you know that's my that's my uh neighborhood out there. uh

[2:03:40] that intersection needs uh a lot of help and this project is going to bring that

[2:03:45] together with what was just passed in the state's budget uh money dedicated to

[2:03:50] adding turn lanes to that intersection. So that intersection is going to see

[2:03:53] significant improvements in the near future partly because of this project

[2:03:56] and partly because of the state budget. So we asked that it be approved and I'm

[2:04:00] here to ask answer any questions if you have any.

[2:04:02] » Thank you. Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

[2:04:10] Any further

[2:04:14] interest in speaking in favor of the zoning map amendment and land use plan

[2:04:18] amendment? All right. Does anyone wish to speak in

[2:04:22] opposition to the zoning map amendment and land use plan amendment?

[2:04:29] Okay. The hearing is now closed. Any discussion by the board?

[2:04:34] » Mor. >> What is the pleasure of the board? Mr.

[2:04:37] Mayor, I'm uh I mean, honestly, I'm excited to hear that we're g it's going

[2:04:40] to be some gas pumps put out there if there's been plenty of times I went to

[2:04:44] church right down the street and I was running low on gas and had to pray all

[2:04:47] the way back to Sheets or somewhere else to get back. So, uh to be able to run

[2:04:51] right there and that was when as a little kid we used to always go to that

[2:04:54] corner store and get our candy after church. So, it's just exciting to see

[2:04:58] we're going we going to get some gas pumps out there so I get a little gas.

[2:05:01] So, I'm excited about it. So, uh Mr. Mayor, if there is no other comments,

[2:05:04] I'll make a motion. Say so move. >> Second.

[2:05:07] » Second. >> Although I'm excited to have Downtown

[2:05:11] Wilin incorporated into the amendments. [laughter]

[2:05:15] » Thank you. >> I just want to

[2:05:20] I just want to thank John Eco real quick for sitting sitting here and presenting.

[2:05:23] Um, you know, I had kind of meant to suggest that we shift the order of these

[2:05:28] public hearings so that he could [laughter]

[2:05:31] so he maybe could have gotten out here a little sooner, but so thank you for

[2:05:34] being here. >> Any other comment?

[2:05:39] All right, the motion has been made and properly second. All those in favor of

[2:05:44] the motion, let it know by saying I. >> I.

[2:05:47] » Any opposed? Eyes have it. Motion carries. Thank you so much.

[2:05:53] Item 7E, zoning

[2:05:57] zoning map amendment, M MI mi Homes of Raleigh LLC,

[2:06:03] uh 06921 and a portion of 6823 Sunset Lake Road, Rez 202518.

[2:06:11] More information about this agenda item will be presented by planning director

[2:06:14] Davidson. It's my last one tonight. So, I'm submitting the agenda abstract and

[2:06:19] supporting documents into the official record of the town.

[2:06:23] » The purpose of this agenda item is to consider a requested zoning map

[2:06:26] amendment for a total of 27.63 acres located at 0 6921 in a portion of 6823

[2:06:35] Sunset Lake Road from the residential medium density conditional zoning

[2:06:38] district to the planned unit development zoning district. Um there is a pond on

[2:06:45] the property um that is scheduled for drainage. This pond is classified as a

[2:06:49] high hazard dam and has received a violation notice from the North Carolina

[2:06:53] State Dam Safety Program. It's actually located approximately 15 feet above the

[2:06:57] adjacent Ballentine Dairy Road. It's overgrown with large trees, so it's been

[2:07:02] determined to be problematic. The properties are currently zoned

[2:07:06] residential medium density conditional zoning district as part of re207

[2:07:11] from 2007. The properties were reszoned with the condition that they develop as

[2:07:16] an open space subdivision. Since the property was not developed and open

[2:07:20] space subdivision is no longer development option, the petitioner has

[2:07:23] opted to reszone to planned unit development, the town's current

[2:07:27] equivalent of an open space center development.

[2:07:31] The requested zoning is consistent with the 2040 comprehensive land use plan.

[2:07:35] The master plan and narrative included with the request ensure that the future

[2:07:39] uses fit into the development context and demonstrate compliance with the

[2:07:44] zoning conditions. Um and they offered many many of those zoning conditions

[2:07:49] additionally meet the goals of the 2040 land use plan. On July 20th, 2026, the

[2:07:54] planning board unanimously recommended approval. The suggested motion tonight

[2:07:58] is to approve REZ 202518, a zoning map amendment for 06921

[2:08:04] and a portion of 6823 Sunset Lake Road from the residential medium density

[2:08:10] conditional zoning district to the planned unit development zoning district

[2:08:13] at is it is reasonable and in the best interest for the public of the public

[2:08:18] for the reasons identified by management and staff.

[2:08:21] » Thank you so much. M >> M Mr. Mayor, just a point of order if I

[2:08:25] think we might still have an open motion on the floor from the last item. I don't

[2:08:30] we we seconded it, but do we >> vote on it?

[2:08:42] » Okay. Yeah. Yeah, there was a motion second, but I I don't recall.

[2:08:47] » We did. Okay. My apologies.

[2:08:52] Yeah, he said all in favor. >> Okay.

[2:08:57] » We're going to take a break in about five minutes [laughter]

[2:09:01] » after we get through this.

[2:09:06] » Does any Thank you, ma'am. >> I've got some questions.

[2:09:08] » Uh, does anyone wish to speak in favor of the zoning map amendment?

[2:09:12] » Can I ask some questions? >> Oh, you have a question director.

[2:09:16] » I'm sorry. Sure. Sure. Commissioner,

[2:09:21] » um, can you tell me about the historic district and how this

[2:09:28] » Yes. >> plays into that?

[2:09:30] » It doesn't really. Historic districts are voluntary. Valentine Farms is also

[2:09:34] in the historic district and it's a subdivision. So,

[2:09:39] » um, >> unfortunately or fortunately, um,

[2:09:44] they're voluntary and so they really don't have a lot of weight or or

[2:09:48] bearing. There's no, um, standards or restrictions applied. So, um,

[2:09:57] when the town was planning on the basically the bypass road that's going

[2:10:04] to go from Five Points >> and then fly over 401 and cross Sunset

[2:10:10] Lake and then >> 5751,

[2:10:12] » it was Yes. Now,

[2:10:17] the original plan was to it was going to take out some houses

[2:10:24] » because you had to move it just enough to avoid

[2:10:30] the um historic district >> and CDOT put a higher priority on that

[2:10:35] historic district than I think may have been warranted due to the fact that it

[2:10:40] is voluntary in nature. So, I guess my heartburn is with it is,

[2:10:49] you know, they've put a it's on a national register of historic places,

[2:10:54] which ties the town's hands apparently when we're trying to improve the

[2:11:02] community with roads. [snorts] But when it's time to for them

[2:11:08] to sell it, we have no um authority to do anything that we might

[2:11:16] not do on any other property. >> My understanding is this historic

[2:11:20] designation is voluntary. So, even if they're contributing uh

[2:11:26] buildings on the property for the National Historic District, we don't ask

[2:11:30] uh historic uh commission or any kind of we we

[2:11:35] wouldn't ask for feedback on something like this.

[2:11:38] » So, we can definitely ask that. So, it to my knowledge there are no historic

[2:11:42] buildings that have been determined on this. For example, a village of Lake

[2:11:46] Wheeler had a historic house, right? um that Shipo did get involved in. Um and

[2:11:51] in the end, they did end up renovating that house and creating its own separate

[2:11:55] lot and such. So um if there are historic buildings designated, we will

[2:11:59] definitely work with Capital Area Preservation and the State Historic

[2:12:04] Office of Preservation um to identify that and and preserve it.

[2:12:08] » We do that first. To my knowledge, the the property

[2:12:14] developer is here and he can probably speak better to any existing structures,

[2:12:17] but to my knowledge, there are no existing structures on this portion of

[2:12:21] the property. Being that this is the southern side of the horse farm. So, the

[2:12:26] majority of of existing structures are on the northern portion that is not

[2:12:31] included in this development at this time.

[2:12:35] » Well, the you know, Carolyn Elliot lived in a in a house that I think was a old

[2:12:44] Valentine home. Um,

[2:12:50] Ly Ballentine was the

[2:12:55] he was the commissioner of agriculture for a long time in the state and it was

[2:13:01] his dairy and the milking house was where this

[2:13:08] subdivision is being planned. Um,

[2:13:12] » is that what they call the crearyy? Because they've offered the crearyy to

[2:13:15] the museums. I don't know. I don't know. I know. I went there when I was a kid

[2:13:20] and watched them um milk cows and I dug worms out of the manure and fished in

[2:13:28] the pond. Um so I'm fairly familiar with it. I just get a little heartburn when

[2:13:34] people make their property national register

[2:13:39] historic places and um

[2:13:43] then one day it's like they want to forget they did that.

[2:13:50] So, I I just would like to make sure that the historic preservation folks

[2:13:57] um at least look at it and give some feedback to us,

[2:14:01] » right? We can definitely ask those questions. Um, I just pulled up the the

[2:14:05] preliminary subdivision plans have already been staff reviewed. And so

[2:14:08] there there are a couple of existing brick and concrete foundations that are

[2:14:11] noticed to be removed and there are a couple existing buildings to be

[2:14:15] demolished and removed. So again, the the developer may be able to speak to

[2:14:18] their context and we can definitely check with um Cabillary Preservation and

[2:14:23] just make sure that there's there's nothing on their radar.

[2:14:25] » Okay. Any other questions of of Director

[2:14:32] Davidson? All right.

[2:14:37] The the hearing is now open. Does anyone wish to speak in favor of the zoning map

[2:14:41] amendment?

[2:14:45] Good evening. >> Good evening, U Mayor Harris and Mayor

[2:14:50] Proten Gardner. Thank you uh for hearing us today. Um, thank you to Pam and uh

[2:14:56] all of the staff that did a great job helping us coordinating this project. It

[2:15:00] took um not not more than other municipalities which is great but um

[2:15:05] coordinating with them has been a pleasure and I just want to give a a

[2:15:08] quick shout out to them. Um I do want to touch on some of the historic questions

[2:15:11] that you had uh Commissioner Adcock just prior to get to that I just want to give

[2:15:16] a quick background on MI. Um MI is no stranger to FE wave Arena. Um we have

[2:15:21] presence in town with another project called Kohley Preserve that's underway

[2:15:24] right now. Um that's a 61 acre 153 lot subdivision that's nearing its

[2:15:29] completion. But what's in front of you today takes a far less dense approach.

[2:15:34] Um after taking a lot of careful consideration um with the surrounding

[2:15:38] areas and the historical nature of this region um and in addition to staff's

[2:15:44] input, the proposed lots vary from 8,000 10,000 square feet with uh quality homes

[2:15:50] designed to provide more of a traditional farmhouse feel. Uh the

[2:15:54] neighborhood itself will be craft crafted to reflect a horse farm theme

[2:15:58] reflecting the existing horse barn and its longstanding use. We'll be

[2:16:03] incorporating [clears throat] a covered pavilion and will overlook the proposed

[2:16:07] SCM with additional program for family activities. We did hold a neighborhood

[2:16:12] meeting with our neighbors to discuss the project and we're grateful for their

[2:16:15] participation and cooperation. We have had no objection to this project from

[2:16:19] existing residents. We hosted additional meetings to particularly discuss the

[2:16:22] draining of the existing pond which the neighbors understood that it is

[2:16:26] necessary. I personally investigated the pond and spent a lot of times and

[2:16:30] resources trying to find and figure out how we could keep this pond because it

[2:16:34] really is it's a beautiful pond uh when you go out there. However, the elevation

[2:16:38] of the dam no matter what we do to rehabilitate that dam stands so high

[2:16:42] above Balentine Dair Road that it it is uh posing danger to existing residents

[2:16:48] and future residents. Um, it is important to note that we will not be

[2:16:52] picking up additional lots as a result of draining this pond. We are not

[2:16:55] draining this pond for profit or for gaining lots. We're doing it for the

[2:16:59] safety of their our proposed and existing residents.

[2:17:02] Um, we're also making additional commitments to best screen our neighbors

[2:17:06] and to make sure that we're welcoming um, and we're coming in with the right

[2:17:10] mentality and the right attitude um, to be good neighbors to everybody. And to

[2:17:14] conclude, [clears throat] uh, Commissioner Adcock, we did submit, um,

[2:17:19] a formal report to Shipo on those existing structures. Shipo came back and

[2:17:24] reported that. >> What's Shipo?

[2:17:26] » Uh, it's the historical the National Historical Preservation. I forget the

[2:17:31] actual terminology for it. I wish I could reference that, but it we whenever

[2:17:36] we do do our due diligence of a of a project, we always submit, we [snorts]

[2:17:40] do our phase one studies, we do everything to make sure that everything

[2:17:43] that we're proposing and we may be tearing apart on site is is in

[2:17:47] accordance to uh everything every national regulation and shipo had

[2:17:51] reported back that they have no interest in any historical features on this site.

[2:17:55] However, we have understood that there is I'm sorry I'm just answering Mr. feel

[2:18:02] free to answer the question. Yes, >> we would like to still coordinate with

[2:18:06] the town's whatever historic organization in town and allow them to

[2:18:10] come and visit. Um I cannot we pro we will not be able to keep the actual full

[2:18:16] structure, but what we would love to do is donate any historical pieces that may

[2:18:20] be found in that barn for any kind of preservation that the town would like to

[2:18:23] keep. Um, and to sum that up, you know, we've been fortunate to work to uh to

[2:18:28] work with a brilliant team of town staff and to mold this project in the best

[2:18:32] case of uh that we believe is the best case use for this land. And you know,

[2:18:37] thank you for your time and ask you for your approval today.

[2:18:39] » Thank you. >> Does has the town received that um

[2:18:43] response from >> Yeah. Well, um I'm not sure that that's

[2:18:47] a formal, but I'd be happy to provide that to Pam and and all of our staff.

[2:18:51] Yeah, absolutely. Um the uh this is just this is me. Um well, I kind

[2:18:59] of gave you some background. I'm sitting here thinking, you know, we we were

[2:19:03] going to we were going to take out people's houses to save a sliver of a

[2:19:09] field on the on the uh south end of this historic district, which blew my mind.

[2:19:16] But here it's like, well, there's nothing there and it doesn't matter. And

[2:19:21] so, you know, you get it. It's like u whatever suits

[2:19:27] » sure >> the for the day. But to me, one of the

[2:19:31] the the north side of or the north side of Terrible Creek that what made that

[2:19:40] unique was that it was a dairy, not that it was a horse farm.

[2:19:45] » Sure. The horse farm really became what it was in my mind after the dairy

[2:19:52] disappeared in the 80s. But the dairy is really what made it I think historic

[2:19:59] that northern part the north of Terrible Creek. um and where this was um in my

[2:20:07] memory that's where the cows were mil. People around here talk about um one of

[2:20:13] the unique things in Fugquway Verina in you know prior to the mid 80s was when

[2:20:21] you went down Sunset Lake Road twice a day the cows crossed the street and they

[2:20:28] the Ballentine subdivision is was the big field where the cows kind

[2:20:34] of spent most of their time. But they would walk them across the street and go

[2:20:38] here and milk them twice a day. And so you'd have to sit there and wait for the

[2:20:43] cows to cross the street. >> Sure.

[2:20:46] » Um which anybody driving up in down Sunset Lake Road today, that's kind of

[2:20:51] hard to believe, but that's the way it was. And the person that started that um

[2:20:56] that uh dairy was in North Carolina history a pretty pretty um significant

[2:21:03] person I think because he was the agriculture commissioner for many years

[2:21:09] before Jim Graham became agriculture commissioner. So to me, um, if there's

[2:21:16] really nothing there to preserve, um, I mean, this is just this is just my

[2:21:22] opinion. I would like to see some nod to the dairy, but that's just me. Um, as

[2:21:30] far as the development goes, um, you know, some something to to um, make note

[2:21:36] of that. But I would love for you to meet with uh some of the uh museums

[2:21:42] folks just to make sure there's nothing that we're missing here.

[2:21:48] » And and uh Commissioner, we we certainly planned on doing that. Like I said

[2:21:52] before, we we want to be good residents of Fwave Arena. We have every intention

[2:21:56] of of trying to preserve any historical features that may be on this site. Mhm.

[2:22:00] » Um, from my understanding, the more historical features are on the northern

[2:22:04] parcel on Miss Caroline Elliot's property. Um,

[2:22:09] » and she has more of the longstanding farmhouse and she has some more. She's

[2:22:15] actually invested in that. I'm not too familiar with

[2:22:17] » her house is not on this on this what we're looking at.

[2:22:20] » No, she she is a part seller of this property. She's selling us essentially

[2:22:25] the top left corner of what you see here, but it's not

[2:22:28] » uh her property. What she's selling us is just barren land. Um what whatever

[2:22:33] historical features that you would see on here would be on the bottom right um

[2:22:37] part of the property here. And like I said, we we we my team internally, we've

[2:22:42] been investigating to see how we can coordinate with historical organizations

[2:22:46] to see. >> I appreciate what you do. I don't have

[2:22:48] any problem with residential development. I like it.

[2:22:51] » But especially when you've got a spot that's in a national historic register.

[2:22:57] I just want to make sure >> we're not overlooking something that we

[2:23:01] would regret. The other thing is um that dairy story is a good story. It's a good

[2:23:07] thing. [laughter] It's a good thing for people talk about Fugquway Vina as being

[2:23:13] unique >> and there's a lot of things that make

[2:23:15] Fugquway Vina unique, but in my mind, one of the things that makes it unique

[2:23:19] is the history of that dairy. Um, and so I would like to have some nod to it one

[2:23:25] way or the other. Um, >> well, you can you can take it from me,

[2:23:29] um, that we're happy we're it's my pleasure to meet with, uh, any

[2:23:34] historical pre preservation group in Fugquway that would be willing to come

[2:23:37] out. I'll meet them on site as well and we can talk through whatever. I, like I

[2:23:41] said, I can't keep the actual farmhouse. Uh, but I'm happy to donate it all if

[2:23:47] they want to take some of that to a museum. We'd love to dedicate maybe a

[2:23:51] plaque or some kind of historical feature along the property to to do that

[2:23:55] and um it would be my pleasure. >> What is the proposed name of the of the

[2:24:01] subdivision? >> Uh right now it's it's we've called it a

[2:24:06] couple things. Galloway Crossing, Sunset Lake. Um my marketing team is eventually

[2:24:11] going to have the final say. Uh but >> you think y'all would be open to

[2:24:15] something that nods to the dairy? >> Yeah, sure. So, just just so you know,

[2:24:22] the the current um use of or the the historical use of this particular piece

[2:24:27] of property was a horse farm. Okay. >> And so we have actually made a

[2:24:32] commitment if you look through the commitments, we are going to be making

[2:24:35] » the milking barn was not on this property. I I personally am not totally

[2:24:40] sure. It's the every historical research that we've gathered is that this was a

[2:24:44] horse barn in a horse pasture. And so we have in our commitments we are

[2:24:49] dedicating um if you look through I'm sorry I can pull it up the last one just

[2:24:55] to be clear. I'm reading this right. Um monumentation at the entrance will

[2:25:00] emphasize a horse theme accent fencing at the entry and common areas will

[2:25:05] include split rail fencing and brick columns. So even our entry monuments

[2:25:08] » do you know why this property was put on the national because I'm I'm not sure I

[2:25:13] know why this little piece here not little but this triangle here. Why was

[2:25:18] it on the national register of historic place?

[2:25:21] » That's a great question. Uh this property has a long long long history.

[2:25:24] It could have been anybody. Um my understanding is it's likely because of

[2:25:29] it the historic the barn that was there if you do visit it there there is an

[2:25:33] asphalt and you can see the barn and you can see where where that used to be and

[2:25:36] that could possibly be it. But as of right now that barn is pretty much in

[2:25:40] ruins. >> Okay. It's probably answer any

[2:25:43] questions. >> It's probably been 40 years since

[2:25:45] » Yeah. >> any dairy activity happened out there.

[2:25:49] » Yeah. But I'm happy to answer any further questions. I'll be around.

[2:25:53] » Thank you very much. We appreciate your taking time to answer the questions.

[2:25:58] Does anyone else wish to speak in favor of the zoning map amendment?

[2:26:05] Does anyone wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[2:26:16] » Good evening. >> Thanks. I'm Wendy Douglas. Um, I was

[2:26:20] here a couple of weeks ago to talk to you about my concern about um, housing

[2:26:25] for the missing middle. And um, this particular reasoning does include the

[2:26:30] language that says you there's no vinyl siding permitted and there are other uh,

[2:26:36] types of uh, wording that would preclude building for that missing middle. And so

[2:26:42] while I'm not opposed to the development of this property, I am opposed to that

[2:26:47] language that would make it unavailable to the missing middle. Thank you for

[2:26:52] your consideration. >> Thank you.

[2:27:01] » Does anyone else wish to speak in opposition to the zoning map amendment?

[2:27:10] If not, the hearing is now closed. Any further discussion or questions by the

[2:27:15] board?

[2:27:20] Mr. Mayor, um I'd be in favor of tableabling this, not

[2:27:26] because I have any um issue with the plot as presented to us, but I would

[2:27:33] just like to make sure we are covering all our bases and I would like for the

[2:27:38] um museums and historic folks to make sure that we're not um missing anything

[2:27:46] here. um that >> we may not be and and I'm I'm fine to

[2:27:52] move forward with it. I just don't want to make a mistake.

[2:27:56] » You Mr. Mayor, I I appreciate that because I mean with these historic

[2:28:00] things sometimes we only we only get one chance and it's gone. So um I I I think

[2:28:06] that would be good to because I this that some of this discussion has been

[2:28:11] covered at our museum board meetings. So I think

[2:28:16] I think with our relationship with the museum that would it would be a good

[2:28:20] thing for us to just be sure. >> Great idea. What is your pleasure?

[2:28:25] » Make a motion to uh table the uh zoning map amendment re 2025-18

[2:28:34] MI homes of Raleigh um 0 6921 and a portion of 6823 Sunset Lake Road uh in

[2:28:43] the pins as stated. Uh I suggest that we um table this until our second meeting

[2:28:49] in September. >> Okay.

[2:28:52] » And the purpose of this is to have the Fugquway Vina Museums give feedback on

[2:28:58] this project. >> You've heard the motion. Is there a

[2:29:01] second? >> Second.

[2:29:05] » All those if there's any other discussion, but what's the time?

[2:29:10] » Second meeting in September. All right.

[2:29:16] Although all those in favor of the motion, let it be known by saying I.

[2:29:20] » I. >> I.

[2:29:21] » Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you.

[2:29:30] The next item is item eight, the consent agenda. What is the board's pleasure on

[2:29:36] the items on the consent agenda? >> Mayor, I move to approve the consent

[2:29:41] agenda. items. Yeah,

[2:29:45] » it's been moved and second that we approve

[2:29:50] the items on the consent agenda. Did you intend to all

[2:29:54] » itemize them, but I don't think that's necessary.

[2:30:00] » You all right? Restate your motion. >> All right. Um, if you don't mind, mayor,

[2:30:07] I move to approve item 8 A, 8 B, 8 C, and 8 D on the consent agenda.

[2:30:12] Okay. All right. Then we have the second.

[2:30:14] » Yes, sir. >> All those in favor of the motion, let it

[2:30:16] be known by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? The eyes have it.

[2:30:25] We have

[2:30:29] Okay, we're moving right along here. Hopefully. I was going to

[2:30:38] Okay, so we can knock this out. Item 10 A,

[2:30:46] public service center phase two, guaranteed maximum price amendment

[2:30:53] 20,145,89.

[2:30:57] Edifice general contractors project ordinance amendment PA2703

[2:31:03] and budget amendment BA2702. More information about this agenda item

[2:31:08] will be presented by public works director Stevenson. Hello. How you

[2:31:12] doing? >> Good evening. Thank you mayor and

[2:31:13] commissioners. Uh we are submitting this agenda item into the record of the town.

[2:31:18] Um as you all are well aware we've been planning for uh phase two improvements

[2:31:24] to the public service center. So, we have um we're bringing to you tonight an

[2:31:29] agenda item that uh amends the guaranteed maximum price agreement that

[2:31:32] we did with Edifice general contractors um back u last year. Uh it, as you know,

[2:31:40] the public service center is a critical operational center. It houses our public

[2:31:42] works, public utilities, and parks, direct maintenance folks. Um pretty much

[2:31:46] any activity that happens out in the community that's involving roads,

[2:31:50] sidewalks, and recreation comes out of that building. Um you guys have

[2:31:55] proactively planned for this expansion and so this is just a moving on of that

[2:31:59] process. Uh we did contract with Wither Ravenell and Tel architects to do our

[2:32:04] space need study and our um and our design. Uh with that we moved on to

[2:32:10] Edifice general contractors for our guaranteed maximum price construction or

[2:32:14] Seymar contract as we refer to those. Uh Edifice selected bid or solicited bids

[2:32:20] on May 5th and May 19th of this year. Uh the guaranteed maximum price that

[2:32:25] resulted from those bids was 20,483,848.

[2:32:31] » Uh this was significantly higher than our previous estimates. Uh so we did a

[2:32:35] lot a good bit of um follow-up work and ground work with Edifice. Um

[2:32:41] basically cost escalation in the construction market had slowed for a

[2:32:46] period and has picked back up. Um, we worked very diligently with Edifice

[2:32:52] after the bid openings to try to look for opportunities. Should we rebid the

[2:32:56] project? Should are there places where we could save money on the project? Um,

[2:33:01] the basic result of that was our analysis with the biders was that a

[2:33:06] rebid was likely going to at at best leave us even and maybe even would even

[2:33:11] leave us with a higher bids the second time around. Um the most of the cost

[2:33:18] increases are general inflation. You know, we we had a conflict with in a

[2:33:23] foreign country pop up about the time we're bidding these projects. Um just a

[2:33:28] lot of um of the continued inflationary pressures that we've been seeing on the

[2:33:31] construction market. Uh, so we did work with Edifice on numerous val value

[2:33:36] engineering options and we were able to at least lower the cost by $338,000 with

[2:33:42] some choices that did not impact our function. Um, there were choices that we

[2:33:47] could have done to get back into uh more into our budget line, but any of those

[2:33:52] were going to come with major programmatic issues. you were going to

[2:33:55] remove a building that was a major function of the site and it was going to

[2:33:59] lead to us being back in five years needing to expand yet again. And so just

[2:34:04] at our determination is that you know the cost and the recency of that would

[2:34:10] just be too high for us to to to recommend that. So with that $338,000

[2:34:16] in value engineering, that brings the the GMP amendment to 20,145,89.

[2:34:24] Um we also have additional soft costs on the town side that include our

[2:34:30] financing, some contingency, uh furniture, our IT upfit. There's some of

[2:34:36] those things that we we rather than contract that out, we kind of manage on

[2:34:39] on our side of the house. Um, we had originally, as our fiscal note, had

[2:34:44] originally budgeted 18.5 million in this budget to to cover this construction.

[2:34:49] So, a part of this action is a budget amendment of $1,645,89

[2:34:56] uh to help cover the GMP cost and then also to cover the $1,371,366

[2:35:03] in the soft cost that I explained. Um our plan from the beginning was to split

[2:35:09] this cost between the general fund and the enterp uh the utility enterprise

[2:35:12] fund by 2/3 to oneird split which we have done and will continue to do. Uh so

[2:35:19] with that the total funding to support this project that we're talking about

[2:35:23] tonight is 21517,175.

[2:35:28] Um I can assure you that we have worked diligently to bring this project in at

[2:35:33] as low a cost as we can. uh we are bringing you a project that meets the

[2:35:38] 10-year need that we intended to um and you know has the elements that um are

[2:35:44] necessary to keep our operations running and there's nothing on this site that's

[2:35:47] going to go wasted or unused. Um, uh, one of the hard parts I I mentioned a

[2:35:52] couple times that, you know, when you're trying to value engineer a facility that

[2:35:56] is really designed for function, there's really not a lot of places to go pull

[2:36:00] things out without impacting the critical function. So,

[2:36:05] with that, town staff recommends this GMP amendment and subsequent budget

[2:36:09] amendment to the project ordinance to support this project. Um, here's a

[2:36:13] overall schematic that you can see where we're adding addition to our current

[2:36:18] admin building. We're adding a second building with office spaces, locker

[2:36:22] spaces, and all that. And then also, uh, lots of covered storage, parking being

[2:36:28] one of the major constraints at this time that, you know, we've been out of

[2:36:31] parking for for essentially a year. Um so the recommended motion um for you

[2:36:37] tonight is this management staff recommendation to approve the guaranteed

[2:36:41] maximum price amendment of 20,145,89

[2:36:47] with Edifice general contractors approve a project ordinance amendment budget

[2:36:51] amendment and authorize the town manager to execute GMP documents for the

[2:36:56] construction of the public service center phase 2 project subject to town

[2:36:59] attorney review as to form and with that be glad to answer any questions. Thank

[2:37:03] you. Thank you. Please forgive me. I misread that that figure as 20,000. I'm

[2:37:08] sorry. >> I wish it was 20,000. [laughter] I think

[2:37:11] we all >> All right, Tracy. I'm just curious. Do

[2:37:16] y'all get many complaints from the neighborhood next door from noise or

[2:37:23] anything like that? >> There was a lot of that discussion when

[2:37:26] the facility was originally built. I don't recall any recent issues that have

[2:37:32] been brought to my attention. >> Seems like like they were concerned

[2:37:35] about lights and lighting. >> Uh originally there were a lot of

[2:37:39] concerns. Um I don't know that I've heard

[2:37:41] » I'm wondering about since it opened and >> No, I I don't I don't recall any

[2:37:46] recently. It it's I I haven't had anybody complain to me directly.

[2:37:54] Well, the um you know was right here close to Holland's Crossroads and this

[2:38:00] was Holland land um because it was bought from um Mr.

[2:38:06] David Holland, Donald's uncle. And um I just remember it was one of these um

[2:38:16] instances where we had a we we had kicked the hornets's nest because the

[2:38:21] neighborhood next door I think thought that we were going to I don't know what

[2:38:26] they thought we were going to be doing next or putting a dump next door to them

[2:38:30] but I've haven't heard anything negative since it opened and so I'm proud of that

[2:38:36] and I think the town has done a good job with it and I've just heard from a a

[2:38:43] neighbor that it's uh that y'all are good neighbors. So, I appreciate that.

[2:38:48] » We do our best. >> Mr. Mayor, I just want to say uh you

[2:38:51] know, thank you uh Director Stevenson for, you know, I I think with every

[2:38:55] project we have now, what we don't want to do is even though, you know, funding

[2:39:00] is limited at times is put it to where we're going to have to go back fixing

[2:39:04] something in five years. I think that's with every big project that we have

[2:39:07] coming up down the pipeline. It's no point of, you know, I would rather put

[2:39:11] money towards that than five years and instead of 10 years down the road, we

[2:39:15] having to go back and fix stuff. That's what, you know, the new fire station,

[2:39:18] new police department, all this stuff. I think that's one of the things. So,

[2:39:21] thank you for and and finance and management and everybody for thinking

[2:39:25] about that when we're looking at all these projects that we don't want to do

[2:39:28] something and then have to go back because as we all know if we go back

[2:39:32] five years down the road we've spent more money we would have spent in the

[2:39:35] first place. So thank you for uh thinking about it and and we and we hope

[2:39:38] that you know even though you had to do some some changes around and nothing is

[2:39:43] you know lack because people know that uh you know one of the backbones of our

[2:39:48] town are the are the employees that come out of that building every day and and

[2:39:52] and they're you know we need them. They're 24-hour on call and everything

[2:39:57] else and up before we are a lot of them asleep right now and be up before we get

[2:40:01] up. So, you know, we we definitely want to make sure that, you know, we're we're

[2:40:04] putting our best foot forward as a board to make sure that u that all the

[2:40:08] employees there have everything they need. And definitely I've seen it on

[2:40:12] those days where everybody's parked on the grass and everything else trying to

[2:40:15] park find a parking spot. So, it'll be good to have a parking lot.

[2:40:20] » Any other comments? Do I hear a motion?

[2:40:25] » So moved, Mr. Mayor, as presented and recommended.

[2:40:27] » Second. All those in favor of the motion as presented, let it be known by saying

[2:40:34] I. >> I.

[2:40:35] » Any opposed? Eyes have it. Thank you. >> Other business. And how we doing? We

[2:40:43] Anybody need a break? We might be able to knock this out in 15 minutes. Uh,

[2:40:49] other business, manager report. >> I'll try to be as brief as I can, mayor.

[2:40:53] I know we're getting long in the tooth. Um do want to just recognize that uh

[2:40:57] Cody Simson in our engineering department has been promoted to the

[2:41:01] assistant engineering director positions. We want to congratulate Cody

[2:41:04] on his career advancement. He holds a bachelor degree in environmental

[2:41:08] engineering, a dual master's degree in business administration and construction

[2:41:12] management. And he's a licensed professional engineer and he's been a

[2:41:16] valuable uh asset to our organization and to the engineering department since

[2:41:21] having been on board for many years now. And so we want to congratulate Cody on

[2:41:25] this welldeserved promotion. Uh staff in the utilities department attended the

[2:41:30] North Carolina rules and regulations update for drinking water and wastewater

[2:41:34] and brought back some good information along uh those lines to uh ensure that

[2:41:39] we are uh upholding our uh standards to the highest standards that state expects

[2:41:44] in terms of rules and regulations. Uh want to recognize a couple of

[2:41:48] professional development related matters in the planning department. Our planning

[2:41:51] director, Pam Davidson, successfully completed the UNCC School of

[2:41:55] Government's public executive leadership academy. So, we want to congratulate Pam

[2:41:59] on her uh completion of that uh important course. I believe she's the

[2:42:04] first department director to have gone through that course with the school of

[2:42:07] government. Planners Slater Knox and Alyssa Hullman attended the annual fall

[2:42:12] certified zoning officials conference in Bowfort this past week and were able to

[2:42:17] network with other planners uh in in their profession as well as um bring

[2:42:22] back some uh good information to our planning department. And our planning

[2:42:27] department staff sincerely appreciates the board prioritizing continuing

[2:42:30] education and providing opportunities for staff to be lifelong learners and

[2:42:34] advance their professional development goals. I also want to mention out of the

[2:42:38] planning department that the citizens planning academy is open for

[2:42:42] registration online through August 28th for the next cohort of that academy. The

[2:42:47] first cohort was extremely successful and we look forward to hosting the next

[2:42:51] group of of learners in our community this October. So anyone who's interested

[2:42:55] is encouraged to register online be by or before August 28th. And we're limited

[2:43:01] in available spots. So it's first come first serve. We encourage encourage that

[2:43:05] registration. Uh downtown development Samantha Darlington has been hired and

[2:43:11] selected as the town's next downtown development manager joining us from the

[2:43:16] North Carolina Main Street program. So, we're excited to have uh someone who is

[2:43:20] familiar with the North Carolina Main Street program and uh the state program

[2:43:24] and national program come and join and be a part of our downtown team and a

[2:43:28] partner with the FEDA. So, we're very excited about her start date, which is

[2:43:32] September 21st. Uh the uh streets department took

[2:43:37] delivery of a new leaf vacuum truck that was budgeted in the fiscal year 27

[2:43:41] budget and is preparing it for the upcoming fall leaf season. And Tim

[2:43:46] Hannon was promoted from sanitation collector 2 to equipment operator in the

[2:43:50] sanitation department, filling one of the new crew positions added in the

[2:43:55] fiscal year 27 budget. his former position and the remainder of the new

[2:43:59] sanitation crew have been filled and they will start on August 24th, allowing

[2:44:03] the new sanitation route to go into service in the near future.

[2:44:08] A national night out against crime is uh planned to be held on Friday, August

[2:44:14] 21st, this Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the parking lot next to Target

[2:44:19] in the Gold Leaf Shopping Center. Backpacks and school supplies will be

[2:44:24] distributed while supplies last. And I do want to just note that we are

[2:44:27] monitoring uh weather to determine if alternative plans are necessary. There

[2:44:32] are some inclement weather projected in the forecast and so we're paying close

[2:44:36] attention to that. Back to school traffic safety uh as it pertains to back

[2:44:41] to school traffic safety. The traditional school calendar uh year

[2:44:44] officially begins this coming Monday, August 24th. So, we do um encourage uh

[2:44:51] drivers and parents to exercise caution when traveling through school zones and

[2:44:55] expect traffic delays during morning drop off and afternoon pickup times at

[2:45:00] least at least initially when the school season starts. And our police department

[2:45:04] officers will be monitoring school zones and conducting traffic enforcement,

[2:45:08] including targeted enforcement of the new no parking zones established near

[2:45:12] Willis Spring High School in the North Lake subdivision.

[2:45:16] Uh Faith Brown is recently joined the parks, recreation, and cultural

[2:45:20] resources team as our newest athletic program specialist. We want to welcome

[2:45:24] Faith to our team. Uh as it pertains to fire department, Scott Naylor completed

[2:45:29] all career ladder requirements and has been promoted to fire from firefighter 2

[2:45:33] to senior firefighter. So, we want to congratulate Scott on his career

[2:45:36] development. And fire engineers Matthew Lee and Robbie Johnson have been

[2:45:40] promoted to fire captain to fill the vacancies by recent retirements. and

[2:45:44] their badge pinning will take place at the September 22nd town board meeting.

[2:45:48] So, we look forward to welcoming them and their families for that badge

[2:45:51] pinning ceremony. Uh nine officers and firefighters attended the South Atlantic

[2:45:57] Fire Rescue Expo at the Raleigh Convention Center this past weekend for

[2:46:00] technical training classes, keynote sessions, and leadership development

[2:46:04] alongside thousands of firefighters from across the southeastern region of the

[2:46:08] United States. And so it was a good learning opportunity for uh those nine

[2:46:13] officers and firefighters. We want to thank them for attending. Um and then

[2:46:17] applications close this Thursday for the three non-certified firefighter

[2:46:22] positions included in the fiscal year budget with more than a 100 applications

[2:46:27] received to date. The new recruits will attend the Wake County Fire Academy

[2:46:31] starting in October and are scheduled to graduate in late May. So everyone wants

[2:46:35] to come work at the Fugquway Arena Fire Department. It's a good place to be.

[2:46:39] Um, Alice uh, Deell Gatano Deatano, excuse

[2:46:46] me, has been hired as our assistant finance director and will start on

[2:46:50] September 8th. So, we're looking forward to Alice coming on board and being a

[2:46:53] part of our finance team. This past weekend featured a successful summer

[2:46:58] showcase for dancers enrolled in summer classes at the art center. Auditions for

[2:47:03] the annual community Nutcracker production are now open and interested

[2:47:06] participants can sign up for the audition time on the arts center

[2:47:10] website. And a rental and special events coordinator Katie Crush and program

[2:47:15] coordinator Jennifer Ranken returned from the leadership exchange in arts and

[2:47:19] disability seminar sponsored by the Kennedy Center. Staff look forward to

[2:47:23] implementing their new ideas to increase and improve program accessibility. and

[2:47:28] registration for fall classes and fall theater offerings is available online

[2:47:32] and in person for the arts center. Uh with that uh mayor and board, I will

[2:47:37] just again draw your attention to National Night Out against Crime this

[2:47:40] Friday 5 to 8:00 p.m. at the Gold Leaf Target parking lot.

[2:47:44] Thursday, September 10th, we will have our first concert of the fall series.

[2:47:48] Follow me to Fugquway concert. The Band of Oz will be here in town performing a

[2:47:52] local favorite and 6 pm to 9:00 p.m. at Centennial Park. The 911 National Day of

[2:47:57] Remembrance will be held on Friday, September 11th at 8:30 a.m. at the

[2:48:01] Fugquway Verina Arts Center. The International Festival will be at the

[2:48:05] Fugway Arena Arts Center on September 12th from 11:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. The

[2:48:09] food truck rodeo will be on Sunday, September 13th

[2:48:14] from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Durm Street parking lot, 801 Durm Street.

[2:48:19] There are some first readings in your agenda materials. a zoning map amendment

[2:48:22] submitted by Josh Swendell of Envision Homes, 7151 Sunset Lake Road. And with

[2:48:29] that, Mr. Mayor and Board, that concludes my remarks for this evening.

[2:48:32] I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have.

[2:48:35] » Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Um, the next item, town board

[2:48:40] member comments. Um, Commissioner Haynes.

[2:48:46] » Yes, sir. I'll keep >> be brief.

[2:48:48] » Yes, sir. Very brief. Uh, it was exciting. I was downtown Raleigh on

[2:48:52] Friday and I was first I was like why am I seeing Fugquway Vina fire department

[2:48:55] trucks down here then I turned the corner I see fire trucks from everywhere

[2:48:58] in the in the state of North Carolina and it took me forever to find parking

[2:49:02] but it was good to see that uh we had some people represented town of freeway

[2:49:05] there. Um, I just want to uh uh send blessings to all of our students who

[2:49:10] have started back school or who are starting back school. All our teachers,

[2:49:14] bus drivers, and everybody and all our college kids who are off to college

[2:49:18] already and probably have just started about to start their first few days of

[2:49:22] college who are residents of Fuqua Arena. So excited about their year and

[2:49:25] see their success. Last thing is I just want to uh I'm honored to be uh um on

[2:49:31] the list of um part of the legislative policy committee for the North Carolina

[2:49:36] League of Municipalities along with our town manager. Uh we are se we are made

[2:49:41] up of 70 elected officials, management and I think attorneys uh across the

[2:49:48] state of North Carolina who'll be working on legislative policies for the

[2:49:51] upcoming sessions for our um North Carolina uh legislator. So, it's uh

[2:49:56] exciting to be a part of that. We'll start our sessions and working to figure

[2:49:59] out over for the f over 500 municipalities in the state of North

[2:50:03] Carolina what legislative policies we need to work towards to make sure we

[2:50:06] have everything we need in our uh municipalities all over the state. So,

[2:50:10] we're sorry about that. >> Congratulations. Thank you.

[2:50:12] » Yeah. Great. Both to you and the town manager. Congratulations. Commissioner

[2:50:17] Adcock, >> no comments tonight.

[2:50:20] » All right. Commissioner Smith, >> really no comments tonight, Mr. Mayor.

[2:50:24] just been busy with a lot of ribbon cutings and groundbreings, but that's a

[2:50:28] great thing to see. So, >> yes, it is. Yes, it is. Commissioner

[2:50:32] Vorren, >> no comments.

[2:50:36] » Mayor Pro Tim Gardner, >> no comments except it was really nice to

[2:50:40] to um that for the publicity we got with the launch for the new DMV in Few Arena.

[2:50:48] It was nice to to see some good positive uh coverage from the media and it was a

[2:50:55] exciting day. It's going to be a great facility going from 14 station 14

[2:51:01] driver's license stations to four to 14. Great point. That's good. I'm glad you

[2:51:06] mentioned that. Thank you. Any other comment? That's it. Uh I have no comment

[2:51:12] tonight. I know that uh we have a close session and uh

[2:51:18] do I hear a motion to go into close session?

[2:51:21] » So move >> second.

[2:51:23] » All those in favor we need to identify why

[2:51:27] » it's it is uh under general statute uh the closed open meetings law general

[2:51:31] statute A3 attorney client privilege. >> Okay.

[2:51:36] » So move. >> Okay. Second. All those in favor of the

[2:51:39] motion let it be known by saying I. I. opposed. All right, we can take a break.

08-18-26 Board of Commissioners Meeting

Transcript