[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486933,"mediaKeyId","5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9","parentId",5560033,"title","Wendell board approves annexation, festival closure, downtown grant, mural and Chick‑fil‑A fee in lieu","audioSeconds",340,"startMs",3202000,"endMs",3542000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9&start=3202&end=3542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9/thumbnail_3202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486933/Wendell/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wendell-board-approves-annexation-festival-closure-downtown-grant-mural-and-ChickfilA-fee-in-lieu","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486933-c07bbc522ef8d04fab668b98ae0bfdee/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276710&Signature=hbtvDDsbtXVog42sEoJWubhRgP8ecAMP~iexeuFPFGS42c4cllDW~PkXAzMNZYIGNThuY1p1Z80hjHDEChH2KBv~Ds5r8z1jD-dHbw3z~8xSaxVKAQHiUGzea-zQ5TOgFmfAvFtp4702yf3GbWLKcMN-dVV1SloDh6KK9BqcTNIGubLmfVos-5yMMk9vkdFPCa5fNiDVaOF8d-jSzodeZpIqcS9KJAD5PwiK7gt6V97J4A~nZRmq7pOtO1--H2btpjBwNng8hfP0OXwcZ5i-79MVKJrUndCflW620kt6tqh2bPEEgxdw9P1Z~YXPDb0sUPowC1-~r7L5xwKTfvA4kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wendell, NC","date","2025-08-11T15:03:45Z","article","The Wendell Board of Commissioners took multiple formal actions during the meeting, approving an annexation petition, a temporary street closure and cosponsorship for a downtown festival that will include a beer tent, a downtown improvement grant, a mural request and a fee‑in‑lieu payment tied to a Chick‑fil‑A development.

Annexation: The board granted a noncontiguous annexation for an approximately 0.996‑acre parcel (PIN 1774876070) at 1021 Old Oak Tree Road. The applicant, Sarah Markham, submitted plans to construct a single‑family home on a parcel zoned rural residential; rezoning was not required because the parcel is already zoned rural residential and is in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The board opened and closed the public hearing and approved the annexation and an attached ordinance.

International Food and Music Festival: The board approved a temporary closure of South Cypress Street between Second and Third streets and cosponsorship of the International Food and Music Festival scheduled for Sept. 27 with a Sept. 28 rain date. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the town manager said organizers will be responsible for additional police staffing required as part of the event. The approved plan allows a beer tent to operate within a defined ABC permit area inside the downtown social district; the social district will be closed within the ABC permit perimeter for the duration of the tent, and alcohol sold in the tent must remain inside the perimeter.

Downtown improvement grant (31 North Main Street): The board approved a downtown improvement (DIG) grant request for Tannebunk LLC (Rob and Ginger Lee) at 31 N. Main Street. Staff classified the project as Tier 4 with a maximum reimbursement of $50,000. Staff reported total project estimates of approximately $600,000 and grant‑eligible work estimated at $191,000; the applicant requested the $50,000 maximum. The grant requires a reimbursement agreement and permits/inspections; staff noted the town will reimburse after completion and that a future budget amendment will be returned to the board to add funding to the DIG program.

Universal Chevrolet mural (105 N. Main Street): The board approved a 16‑by‑35‑foot mural proposed for a sidewall at 105 N. Main Street. The appearance commission had recommended approval. The mural includes a scenic roadway scene and will include a car emblem; any commercial sign in the upper right would require a separate sign permit and is not part of the mural approval. The applicant is not requesting town funds for the mural.

Fee in lieu for Wendell Falls Parkway intersection improvements (Chick‑fil‑A): The board approved a developer fee in lieu to allow a proposed Chick‑fil‑A to begin construction before the town’s updated traffic impact analysis (TIA) is finalized. Staff said the developer proposed a fee of roughly $122,000 based on staff estimates of the site’s share of future traffic; staff later noted the amount represents about 17–18% of a conservative cost estimate for the two intersections in question. The improvements identified include adding a right‑turn lane on Taylor Road onto eastbound Wendell Falls Parkway and installing a traffic signal at Wendell Falls Parkway and Douglas Falls Drive. Staff recommended acceptance to allow the developer to move forward while the TIA is completed.

Votes and motion records: Each action was moved and approved by voice vote; the meeting transcript does not record a roll‑call tally with names for each vote. Where recorded, staff and the board confirmed outcomes publicly and signed the corresponding ordinances or agreements as required by town procedures.

Next steps: Staff said they will finalize the annexation ordinance paperwork, execute a reimbursement agreement for the downtown improvement grant after work is complete, process the mural sign permit if the applicant requests one, and allocate or amend budgets as necessary to manage DIG reimbursements and transportation projects funded in part by the fee in lieu.

Below are the formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wendell Board Meeting - Aug 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wendell Board of Commissioners approved multiple measures at the meeting, including a noncontiguous annexation and several project‑related approvals that will enable development and events in downtown Wendell.","taxTitle","Wendell, Wake County, North Carolina","taxId",46442,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486938,"Wendell wins $500,000 state grant for Buffalo Creek Greenway phase 1",158,1564000,1722000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9&start=1564&end=1722","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9/thumbnail_1564000.jpg","/articles/6486938/Wendell/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wendell-wins-500000-state-grant-for-Buffalo-Creek-Greenway-phase-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486938-0c4f402a12d46c7690f757bd0a995941/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276710&Signature=Vo3z0Pumh3psfOQMjkP9HlO3yZHGTKbUjR0d6UHR4XduNhle5URRQqS30uO~vty3gtHmXEom37uBKlssIrQALbC4zyV5uerGnIyfqfU439n0bezb27zXeWhoBqt9T7RnTL0wPHTv6NX27q89ouA8M2gDFT0En~hKmxQJ3~RKwYM-Ccpab1UegfkoEbfMkc5v00CJzC5nc45-V-1Kw7QcYeajtsKcxfbmwr~s~6SL5ufttqW-yAgOVk-Q0vVKzctzmeQA8LqWN~FOv0jVHvlJHjn7sXy8g9BF3g7gAEYN8bfg3l4H9Ym3IgviN7rx1RNa-58uSsjrDdCzFILCueLyAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff informed the Board of Commissioners that the town received a $500,000 Great Trails State grant to support Phase 1 of the Buffalo Creek Greenway, a paved connection intended to improve access to Wendell Park and nearby neighborhoods.

The grant is the full maximum award for the program this year, staff said, and will be combined with approximately $2.4 million in town bond funding to reach a Phase 1 budget of roughly $2.9 million. Phase 1 is located inside Wendell Park and will connect to the Wendell Town Park trailhead near existing pickleball and tee‑ball fields; future phases would extend toward Roberts Mill Pond.

Staff said the phase in Wendell Park is roughly eight‑tenths of a mile long and will be paved to improve ADA accessibility of the existing trail system. The greenway concept calls for a trailhead with connections to Carver Elementary, nearby businesses, Wake Tech and adjacent neighborhoods, and staff noted the project will link to the planned Wendell Athletic Field Complex.

Town staff told the board the grant award was recently confirmed and that staff are awaiting resolution of a related town property turnover (referred to as Stone Arbor finalization) that will help the project proceed. Next steps include finalizing design and permitting and moving to construction once property and permitting matters are resolved.

Commissioners congratulated staff on the award and discussed the state program’s future availability; staff said this grant was a one‑time appropriation this year but lawmakers have discussed making the program recurring. Staff invited further questions and said they will return with design and schedule updates as the project advances.","Town staff reported receipt of a $500,000 state Great Trails grant toward a $2.9 million Phase 1 of the Buffalo Creek Greenway, an approximately 0.8‑mile connection through Wendell Park linking to the athletic complex and nearby neighborhoods.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486943,"Wendell previews 5‑field athletic complex; NCFC to fund lighting for turf fields",236,1294000,1530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9&start=1294&end=1530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9/thumbnail_1294000.jpg","/articles/6486943/Wendell/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wendell-previews-5field-athletic-complex-NCFC-to-fund-lighting-for-turf-fields","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486943-4687c30f502a229161bbf92626ccf38a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276710&Signature=DFALoL8ehSKVYyfA4yxkkwTw55zdz~4lPVbDYpHFL9kZVKGWPYC015IPe-2K14piCsI9KVtfBytgzvAxTl3IjmAGmcq7v8LT-Gy-w7iDRMDrxb2pCTpZAq59Y7aLRZgM2lXSQZMaHzi-R3Aj3XyFI5exgchL-dlSo-Bn0EMkaiEZUAKhlFULWxBItyOQ1l3zoI7sxK0UfDp5I5Bquv9OW7EFfcb6Ce1IFC-12xZG8ERFI4nbpe9KYUkO32Yg3G7ONMCSVKT0PnQs6PknrJL83Zn7v2yFsetOuvN8bfdILXlr3UHeFNe8FafCBj9MwIYd4g~s~WGddrrUcKi1RbpYUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and recreation director Jeff Pulaski updated the Board of Commissioners on plans for the Wendell Athletic Field Complex, a multi‑field sports venue the town says will host local and regional tournaments and tie into existing recreational infrastructure.

The project is notable for its scale and potential to draw visitors: the town described a total project budget of about $13 million, including $1.8 million in Wake County tourism funds and $11.2 million in town bond funding approved by voters. The plan calls for five fields — a natural turf football field for the Wendell Rams, a natural practice field, and three synthetic turf multipurpose fields — and a connection to the Buffalo Creek Greenway.

Pulaski said CHA Consulting is preparing construction documents and that the North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) has agreed to pay for lighting the three synthetic turf fields; the town will own the property and infrastructure while NCFC would reimburse the town for lighting expenses under a usage agreement. The town is working to acquire two adjacent tracks of land (referred to as Track 1 and Track 2) from Wake County and anticipates final design bidding in 2025 with construction to begin in early 2026.

Site plans discussed by staff show parking, a storage building and food‑truck connections; staff said NCFC typically prefers food trucks to running concession stands. Pulaski also said the design accommodates storage comparable to what the Wendell Rams have now so teams can avoid storing equipment offsite.

Commissioners asked for clarification about the design and ownership of lighting and storage; Pulaski said the town retains ownership of property and major infrastructure. Staff said permitting and final design are underway and reiterated the anticipated timetable: final design and bidding in 2025 and construction beginning in early 2026.

Pulaski said the complex is intended to host youth and adult sports — soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and football — and to create economic benefit by enabling the town to host larger tournaments. He invited follow‑up questions and said staff will proceed with design refinements and acquisition work with Wake County.","Parks director presented design and funding plans for a five‑field athletic complex adjacent to Wendell Town Park, a $13 million project partially funded by Wake County tourism dollars, town bond funds and a lighting agreement with North Carolina Football Club.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486947,"Wendell outlines $9.6 million plan to renovate historic Carver School into community center",456,815000,1271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9&start=815&end=1271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560033-bd25a966f1ad28b5e12c45afa79b0ed9/thumbnail_815000.jpg","/articles/6486947/Wendell/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wendell-outlines-96-million-plan-to-renovate-historic-Carver-School-into-community-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486947-9def4471c7f02a023702b73c7174f95d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775276710&Signature=ImOMrjrw~pAFQZlyLR2ZUR86Q3q4ydcNoDBZ8chNpfNiKVXKOJf6INjSeQ8o66aGFFKSMouDSevMd~gb47ftbFkk1sg3YZnaxA1dje4PJKh8qtTowmlgbIMNXDPvQ4bKAMU7wnuZP9sEqrw1fl6slGpwife6KEK~QlsW6dOqLfYjvAJxrk4tN966MusjTvdeOSmLh1CVN86enACsYshCZZAgE-MdTA8esosSMGQcKDjjmsp1126WVKw9VhPkzGuBWlezx9BtiPUj3Vbq-bq~mWwn3s85e1k0giAKA6aa1ZI7UIuJn8yP6IFxWOD8Ja6fl01BkFmo~LrGe1rcpKYObg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff updated the Wendell Board of Commissioners on plans to renovate the historic Carver School into the Carver Center at Pleasant Grove, a multipurpose community facility funded with a mix of federal, county and local sources.

The project matters to residents because it reuses a long‑standing community site and delivers space for a food pantry, micro‑school, offices for community groups and a multipurpose assembly area. Town staff said the total project budget is roughly $9.6 million and construction is expected to begin in September or October 2025.

Town staff told commissioners the Carver School site, which served the Pleasant Grove community as a Rosenwald and later Carver School, has been the subject of planning conversations with the town since about 2018. The church purchased the property in the 2007–08 timeframe; redevelopment planning advanced in 2022–23, staff said. Consultants named on the project include Andre Johnson Architects, Withers Ravenel and environmental consultant GeoSyntec. Southway Builders is listed as the contractor expected to perform the renovation.

Funding for the project includes a $2 million HUD appropriation secured through Congresswoman Deborah Ross, $1 million from Wake County social equity funds, about $600,000 of town funds already used for design and engineering, and $6.6 million in town bond funds approved by voters in 2023, staff said. The town has also used approximately $105,000 of an EPA brownfields assessment grant and said it continues to seek additional funds.

Staff said the town has filed a Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds as part of HUD’s environmental review. The 15‑day public comment period was under way and scheduled to close on Aug. 17; staff said the town anticipates HUD’s release of funds and a project kickoff in September or October 2025. Construction was estimated at about an 18‑month duration.

The plan presented to the board envisions renovating the primary Carver building to include a half‑gymnasium, restrooms, a multipurpose room with a stage that can be subdivided, and offices and small business space on the east side. The site plan also includes adjusted parking, a commercial kitchen and landscaping with stormwater improvements. Staff emphasized current onsite uses — a micro‑school, after‑school and summer youth programs, a food pantry, and community space — and said design preserves those functions while adding new community facilities.

Commissioners asked staff questions about partners and timing; staff indicated the project team and community partners have participated in the design process. Staff offered to field follow‑up questions as details of the HUD review and construction schedule are finalized.

If HUD issues its release as anticipated, construction could begin in fall 2025 and run roughly 18 months with Southway Builders as the general contractor. Further funding and design refinements remain subject to ongoing work by town staff and project partners.","Town staff updated the Wendell Board of Commissioners on the Carver Center redevelopment in Pleasant Grove, detailing funding sources, partners and a HUD environmental review with construction expected to start in fall 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wendell board approves annexation, festival closure, downtown grant, mural and Chick‑fil‑A fee in lieu

Wendell wins $500,000 state grant for Buffalo Creek Greenway phase 1

Wendell previews 5‑field athletic complex; NCFC to fund lighting for turf fields

Wendell outlines $9.6 million plan to renovate historic Carver School into community center