[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6355591,"mediaKeyId","2218112-0243d0d31d2b781af1a00d7fafcf7848","parentId",2218112,"title","Fuquay Varina board approves sidewalk funding, library park design and downtown land purchase; school road closure OK'd","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4574000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218112-0243d0d31d2b781af1a00d7fafcf7848&start=4574&end=4574","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218112-0243d0d31d2b781af1a00d7fafcf7848/thumbnail_4574000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355591/North-Carolina/Fuquay-Varina-board-approves-sidewalk-funding-library-park-design-and-downtown-land-purchase-school-road-closure-OKd","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355591-e7dc8943be6362a08ae0c51e0ff389b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633440&Signature=C5i8Kzwz8nlT3rBRnSrlzMr3m-i3iCKyTk2y40uS~g2K8bU9nccJEGwH0TAoEJNPt60I5gQkf4QVtwB0NAx56bnYL6fSYe7lpuZ68UQdfZ9GG1do0DMPNl4i-7srKoU9m-wprBYergN75BZP0CzD5raQOp~FYWASA6YaiPd3tQOF9WmLIzsxj8EUqUQi8hfUv1rgH847cLzhYiZajWBIrMxwFZDIkNKD1DLvRRhT0cv7Mf9DMLFs70TWMih7yEDMIfMHNEedq7hUw09LPv76vTzZNXyAFncRn6URJK~CJ~LYh8dc2hksgnxAYVtt95VHYaYA9hotFIVRDq0PTcn27w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-04T01:53:50Z","article","Fuquay Varina's Town Board on Feb. 3 approved several capital and land actions aimed at downtown improvements and pedestrian connections, and adopted a resolution to close part of Sunset Drive to support a Wake County Public School System project.

In a series of motions taken during the regular board meeting, commissioners authorized supplemental funding agreements with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for two sidewalk projects, approved design services for Library Park, accepted a preliminary subdivision plat, and agreed to buy 101 North Main Street to help assemble property envisioned in the town's downtown Pineywoods Park public-space plan.

Key votes and decisions

- Abandonment of Sunset Drive (SC-2024-3): The board adopted a resolution ordering the closure of roughly 860 linear feet of Sunset Drive after Wake County Public School System said the abandonment would clean up title for the school's planned expansion. Betty Parker, representing Wake County Public Schools, said adjacent property owners had signed the petition and supported the closure. A motion to adopt the resolution carried on a voice vote.

- True Love Farm preliminary subdivision (SUBPR-2024-08): The board approved the 50-lot preliminary plat for True Love Farm (7650 Trulove Road). Planning Director Pam Davison told the board the 23.84-acre SUBPR would use the town's lot-line standards (minimum 50-foot lot widths) and proposed 13.66 acres of open space (57.29% of site). The motion carried.

- Library Park design agreement: The board awarded a design contract to Site Collaborative for library park design services at a fee of $214,000, subject to town attorney review. Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Cox said the design contract covers schematic design, construction documentation, permitting, bidding services and construction management. Staff noted FY25 includes $1,000,000 in initial funding for the Library Park project and that additional construction funding will be required.

- Southeast Judd Parkway improvements (BL0054): The board approved a municipal supplemental funding agreement with NCDOT that adds $50,000 in grant funds (a 50/50 match with the town) to cover project overages, bringing the project total to approximately $823,960. Engineering Director Matt Polin said the project is expected to begin in March 2025 and run about 12 months.

- Jones Street sidewalk project (BL0038): The board approved a supplemental funding agreement adding $150,000 in grant funds (80/20 match noted in staff materials) toward a total project cost of about $1,206,300 for roughly 1,200 linear feet of sidewalk, curb, gutter and drainage connecting Main Street to the former elementary school site. Construction is expected to begin in March 2025.

- Purchase of 101 North Main Street: The board voted to approve an agreement to purchase 101 North Main Street for $1,500,000 and to approve budget amendment BA-25-14 related to that acquisition. Town Manager Adam Mitchell said the property lies inside the Pineywoods Park concept area in the town's recently adopted downtown generational plan; the 90-day examination period in the purchase agreement was noted. Manager Mitchell and several commissioners said existing businesses on adjacent parcels may continue to operate.

Board members and staff said the combination of design work, right-of-way actions and land acquisition furthers the town's longstanding goals for downtown public space, pedestrian safety and longer-term placemaking.

Implementation notes and next steps

Staff noted that the Library Park contract is subject to town attorney review to form and that additional construction funding will be needed. The two sidewalk projects are scheduled to begin construction in March 2025; funding agreements with NCDOT were approved to cover supplemental costs. The town attorney confirmed that the Sunset Drive closure followed state statutory notice and notification requirements and that adjacent landowners had been notified.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution ordering closure of Sunset Drive (SC-2024-3): Adopted (voice vote). Motion moved and seconded; board voice vote recorded as \"Aye\" and \"Motion carries.\"
- True Love Farm Subdivision preliminary plat (SUBPR-2024-08): Approved (motion carried by voice vote).
- Library Park design contract (Site Collaborative): Approved; authorized town manager to execute, subject to attorney review (motion carried by voice vote). Fee: $214,000.
- Southeast Judd Parkway (BL0054) supplemental funding agreement: Approved; $50,000 supplemental grant and 50/50 match; total project ~ $823,960.
- Jones Street sidewalk (BL0038) supplemental funding agreement: Approved; $300,000 supplemental grant (town match $150,000) bringing total project ~ $1,206,300.
- Purchase and sale of 101 North Main Street: Approved; purchase price $1,500,000; budget amendment BA-25-14 approved.

What this means for residents

Officials said the approved sidewalk and park design work aims to improve pedestrian connectivity and downtown public space over the next two years. The two sidewalk projects are due to begin in March 2025, and staff estimated about a year for construction on Judd Parkway and 9-10 months on Jones Street. The Library Park design phase is expected to take roughly nine months followed by bidding and construction, meaning construction start is likely a year out. Purchase of 101 North Main Street begins land assembly for a future town square concept that town leadership described as a long-range, multi-year effort.

Board members praised staff for advancing grant applications and for preparatory design work that made the projects more competitive for regional funding; Wake County and NCDOT programs were cited as funding partners throughout the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02-03-25 Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Fuquay Varina Town Board on Feb. 3 approved funding supplements for two sidewalk projects, awarded the Library Park design contract, adopted a resolution abandoning part of Sunset Drive for Wake County Public Schools, and authorized purchase of 101 North Main Street for future downtown public space.","taxTitle","Fuquay Varina, Wake County, North Carolina","taxId",52889,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6355596,"Fuquay Varina board debates rezoning on Longfellow Street; no decision reached",1702,1633000,3335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2218112-0243d0d31d2b781af1a00d7fafcf7848&start=1633&end=3335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2218112-0243d0d31d2b781af1a00d7fafcf7848/thumbnail_1633000.jpg","/articles/6355596/North-Carolina/Fuquay-Varina-board-debates-rezoning-on-Longfellow-Street-no-decision-reached","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355596-a9a719d4853196cf35e4fc22d7b1d4ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775633440&Signature=g~aJV-4QQEoihGiCQ9af5OvtHqGhv9PmqgYAe0rb~Hdnes6rrLxBaBmiubE~KIXfP414q0RN~TbDETCogT6yZFvAgVJ7JE4WxtCnRHQlAV7QXpMXaJ1biPdwwNSCYfl7A-q9zEYnJY9BexXf6VI1BJd1be4RQKKVg5-hJL5Mib6sNvtauqvzgGtBT59XO3XY1V4W~UTK-KYLmhSvdbbMXoJcSY6q6ne5E1OTL5uWQS0EgsYMvC6htNLJ4JkoBq0At1lgJJ2exCuWkiAMfDZtR6Jmhr68vE53R5S-Z1JqcvC1iCF4qc-RNWM2ZNyIhhHh4XKb6hCK5670O8QZFEtrQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fuquay Varina Town Board heard more than an hour of public comment and commissioner remarks on a request to rezone two 0.169-acre parcels at 426 and 428 Longfellow Street but did not approve the petition Thursday night. The petitioner sought a map amendment from Residential Low Density to Town Center Residential to allow a two-unit townhouse-style development with voluntary aesthetic conditions.

The request was presented by Planning Director Pam Davison, who told the board the properties are two lots of record from the Lincoln Heights subdivision and that TCR zoning would \"bring the properties into compliance with the current codes and standards and incorporate zoning conditions which require specific facade elements, including a covered entry or front porch, glazing on the front door, and no vinyl siding.\" Davison said the planning board had unanimously recommended approval.

The item drew several neighbors to the podium. Resident Danielle Caro told the board she and other neighbors had filed more than 50 complaints about an unfinished townhome on Longfellow and said the current project had produced \"a half done, moldy townhome\" and that neighbors were \"sick of it.\" Caro pressed the board to take action to prevent similar problems in future developments.

Petitioner Mohammed Kagali (listed in meeting materials as the applicant) addressed the board and said he is a licensed general contractor and real estate agent and \"I'm committed actually to keep this site clean and bond to the rules and regulation,\" adding that he would send neighbors contact information and perform daily cleanup. He also said he did not want his commitment recorded as a binding condition on the rezoning application.

Town Attorney James (as identified in the hearing) and staff clarified legal constraints: because the two parcels are recorded lots of record, \"under the code, they could build two single family homes that fit within the setbacks on those two lots,\" meaning two dwelling units could be constructed regardless of rezoning. The attorney told the board the town has \"no legal remedy to correct small lot recordings from the 1940s\" and that prohibiting construction on such lots would raise takings issues.

Commissioner Hank Harris and other board members framed the debate largely as one of neighborhood character and equity. Harris said the lots'history and small dimensions had produced development outcomes the board must confront and said the town should have a broader discussion about how to treat older, smaller recorded lots going forward. Other board members expressed sympathy for neighbors and said voluntary zoning conditions offered a path to higher-quality materials and improved site maintenance where the town has limited regulatory levers.

When a motion to approve REZ-2024-14 was moved, no member seconded the motion and it died. The town attorney confirmed that because no affirmative decision was made the property remains under its existing Residential Low Density zoning. The board did not vote to deny, and no alternative motion was passed; the item remains undecided for future action by the property owner or the board.

The Longfellow hearing combined a factual zoning question (what the code allows on lots of record), citizen complaints about construction-site maintenance, and broader policy concerns about the character and equity of older neighborhoods. Residents who raised maintenance and nuisance concerns were told that the town's code compliance process is the primary available enforcement tool when builders fail to keep sites orderly.

Board members and staff said the issue is likely to recur at other locations with small lots of record and that it will require a longer-term policy discussion during future planning sessions.

No formal vote to rezone was recorded; the petitioner remains free under current law to pursue development that meets existing setback and lot-of-record standards.","After extended public comment and a lengthy board discussion about neighborhood character and small historic lots, the Fuquay Varina Town Board took no final action on a petitioner's request to rezone two Longfellow Street lots to Town Center Residential (REZ-2024-14).","actionData","errors"]

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Fuquay Varina board approves sidewalk funding, library park design and downtown land purchase; school road closure OK'd

Fuquay Varina board debates rezoning on Longfellow Street; no decision reached