Brian P Bray

The meeting focused on two primary agenda items requiring recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The first item involved PUD22-01A, an amendment to the Wendell Commerce Center to revise sign regulations, specifically increasing the maximum height of monument signs at entrances from 13' to 20' and changing the monument sign allowance from 1 per street frontage to 1 per site entry. The Board recommended approval for this amendment, noting it aligns with the Innovation District classification of Blueprint Wendell 2030, despite concerns raised by a member of the public regarding precedent. The second item, CD25-03, concerned a request to rezone approximately 8.97 acres from Rural Agriculture (RA) to Neighborhood Center Conditional District (NC-CD) to establish an event venue, Eagle Rock Park, involving renovations to historic structures and the construction of new commercial buildings. The proposal included requests for relief from specific UDO requirements, such as buffer widths and road improvements along Cotton Gin Road. Following significant discussion regarding traffic impact, preservation easements, noise concerns, and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan's land use designation, the Planning Board voted not to recommend approval for this rezoning request. The Director also provided updates on the 2019 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

The meeting commenced with the call to order and recognition of a seventh-grade student from Wendell Middle School, Jaba Wang, for his leadership qualities. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, the agenda was approved. The board then recognized a teacher from Wendell Middle School, Michael Lotsky, for his humble leadership style and positive influence. The meeting proceeded to public hearings. The first hearing involved Annexation Petition A25-11 concerning approximately 1.142 acres at 4931 Drive-In Lane, requested to facilitate connection to Municipal Water and Sewer for a planned daycare facility. This petition was approved. The second item was an evidentiary hearing regarding Special Use Permit SUP 25504 for a 'Retro Arcade and Bar' at 32 North Main Street, proposing an arcade with a bar/tavern use. The town attorney reviewed the quasi-judicial hearing guidelines. The applicant and staff presented evidence addressing criteria related to general development plans, regulatory consistency, health and safety, impact on adjacent properties, lot size, and nuisance potential. Staff recommended approval contingent upon obtaining all applicable building permits and a temporary use of public space permit for construction staging.

The board meeting included discussions regarding the composition of a steering committee for the UDO process, including the typical timeline, which is estimated to be around one year from completion of background work. The board reviewed the fiscal year 2026 monthly financial reports through December 2025. A detailed review of the citizen advisory board appointment process was conducted, outlining recruitment dates (February 1st through May 15th) and details on vacancies across various boards such as the Board of Adjustment, Downtown Development Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, and Appearance Commission. A significant portion of the meeting involved a presentation on the implementation progress of the 2019 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, detailing achievements in facility accessibility (ADA compliance at Hollybrook Park), maintenance standards, walkability initiatives, greenway projects (Buffalo Creek Greenway Phase One construction beginning in 2026), and specific recreational facility upgrades like new pickleball courts, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and updates to Wendell Park, including the planned splash pad and skate park.

The agenda for the regular session included an adjustment and approval of the agenda, followed by a public comment period outlining methods for citizen participation. The consent agenda featured several items, including resolutions to investigate two annexations (A26-01, a non-contiguous 35.45-acre parcel for a proposed elementary school, and A25-03, a contiguous 6.28-acre parcel for mixed-use development phase 2), review of the Wake County Tax Report, and approval of previous meeting minutes from November 10, 2025, November 24, 2025, and December 8, 2025. Recognitions included the acknowledgment of Wendell Middle School Teacher, Michael Lhotsky. Public hearings were scheduled for Annexation Petition A25-11 (1.142 acres for a daycare requiring water/sewer connection), an evidentiary hearing for Special Use Permit SUP25-04 for a Bar/Tavern/Nightclub at 32 N. Main Street, and evidentiary hearings concerning amendments to PUD22-01 Wendell Commerce Center regarding sign regulations (PUD22-01A). Administrative items included approval for a Task Order under the Wendell Brownfield Program for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.

The meeting established a quorum and addressed the agenda. Key new business involved the Halloween/Holiday Decorating Contest, with the Communications Manager expected to be highly involved. The Planning Director provided an update indicating that the mural for Catdaddy's has been completed and reimbursed through the Downtown Improvement Grant, and further noted that the mural for Universal Chevrolet is scheduled to commence shortly.