Town of Fuquay-Varina

The agenda for the Town Board meeting includes several key items for discussion and action. These include a presentation and resolution concerning the retirement of Police Canine Dash, recognition for the Police Department Law Enforcement Explorers regarding the 2026 Winterfest Competition, and a proclamation for National Procurement Month. The meeting features a public hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment concerning 220 W Academy Street. The consent agenda covers resolutions for Water Meter Procurement via sole sourcing and the disposal of surplus property, alongside multiple budget amendments for recognized donations, insurance proceeds appropriation, and significant sewer line repairs. Other items include conceptual design selection for the Library Park, a utility allocation request and fee-in-lieu discussions for the Arbor Preserve Subdivision, adjustments for the Public Service Center Phase II, and a Condemnation Ordinance for 138 N. West Street. Administrative reports will include the Manager's Report and the Financial Quarterly Report for the 2nd Quarter of FY 2026, as well as scheduling for upcoming community events like the Easter Egg Hunt and the Downtown Candy Hop.

The meeting commenced after initial audio troubleshooting, confirming a quorum was present. The primary business involved the approval of the minutes from the August 11, 2025 board of adjustment meeting. The board then proceeded to consider and adopt the proposed 2026 meeting schedule for the board of adjustment, setting the dates for the January 14, 2026 and March 10, 2026 regular meetings. Discussions also covered the board's quasi-judicial role, noting that meetings are scheduled as needed, and that the January meeting would likely include a special use permit request to expand a daycare and potentially the annual training. The board was informed that the ETJ position appointment would not be finalized in time for the January meeting.

The meeting convened with procedural matters, including the pledge of allegiance. Key agenda items involved public hearings on zoning map amendments and subdivision plats. The board discussed and tabled an amendment (REZ 2025-13) for Penny Allen New Horizon Academy to allow time for a traffic impact analysis update. Following a recusal by one member, the board proceeded to consider the zoning map amendment (REZ 2025-08) for Curry Engineering Group PLC at 1212 Rogers Road, which involved rezoning 11.57 acres from Residential Agricultural to Research Light Industrial Conditional and Corridor Commercial Conditional districts, with staff recommending approval based on consistency with the 2040 community vision land use plan. The board also considered and recommended approval for the preliminary subdivision plat (SubP 2025-03) for Betts Farm Estate Subdivision, proposing 13 single-family lots on over 7.6 acres, with significant open space dedication. Finally, the board recognized a departing member for their dedicated service since 2018, including roles as member, vice chair, and chair.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from the January 13, 2026 planning board meeting. A key agenda item involved the nomination and election of a new planning board vice chair for 2026, resulting in the election of Jeff Stevens. Agenda item 2025-13 was noted as withdrawn. A public hearing was held regarding a rezoning request (RAZ-2025-16) for 0.992 acres from the Downtown Center 1 zoning district to the Office and Institutional Conditional Zoning District, requested by Wayne Malden for a food pantry project; staff recommended approval as it aligns with the 2040 community vision land use plan. Following public comments supporting the rezoning, the board voted to recommend approval for the rezoning request. The meeting concluded with the introduction of the new Assistant Planning Director, Elliot Ward, and a report on the disposition of planning board recommendations to the town board of commissioners since January 13, 2026.

Key discussions included the unanimous appointment of Keith Willis Jr. as the Vice Chair of the PRCRD Advisory Board. Updates were provided on the Teen Council, noting 174 registered teens involved in service projects, and the growth of the Specialized Recreation program with new offerings like Adaptive Martial Arts and Crafting Corner. The board will review design concepts for the South Park Community Center Renovation and the Willow Springs Park Conceptual Design at a future meeting. Progress on FY25 projects was detailed, including the anticipated start of Action Park Parking Lot construction, community feedback received for Library Park Design, wrapping up designs for HNTP Trail Improvements, and ongoing construction for the Alston Ridge Greenway. For FY26 projects, Musco is scheduled to begin work on the Action Park Field #1 & #2 Light Replacement in February 2026, and construction has started on the South Park #3 Dugouts. Staff updates reported a 22 percent increase in youth basketball registrations and a 45.9 percent increase in adult athletic registrations.