The Planning Commission Meeting held on December 20, 2024, in Garner, Wake County, focused on recent council actions, staff updates, and upcoming projects. The meeting began with a report from the planning director, who outlined several annexations approved by the council since the last meeting.

Notable annexations included the Wilmington Industrial Park and the Tryon Station Apartments, a low-income housing project located at the intersection of Creech Road and Future Tryon Road East. The director also mentioned a work session on July 29, where discussions centered on Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) package 24001, which will be presented for public hearing in September. This package addresses amendments related to residential and mixed-use developments as part of the comprehensive plan.

On August 5, additional annexations were approved, including one for a Habitat for Humanity subdivision and another for the Homestead at Bridal Farms subdivision. The council also approved ZTA 25001, which modifies the threshold for special use permits (SUP) for residential developments, allowing those undergoing tier 2 rezoning to bypass the SUP process. This decision passed with a narrow vote of 3 to 2.

The planning director announced that three presentations would be made to the selection panel for the transportation element of the comprehensive plan, with hopes of making a selection recommendation soon. Additionally, the meeting introduced Julian Griffey, a newly hired senior planner, who will focus on transportation planning.

The director highlighted staff promotions, including a planner's recent advancement to Planner 2, and expressed optimism about filling the vacant Planner 1 position, which would fully staff the department for the first time in a while.

In a celebratory note, the planning director shared that Garner had received an award from the North Carolina chapter of the American Planning Association for its public art initiatives. This recognition was attributed to recent efforts, including community involvement in painting downtown crosswalks.

The meeting concluded with a reminder about the upcoming "Celebrate Garner" event on the 28th, aimed at honoring local volunteers. The planning director encouraged attendance, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.

Overall, the meeting underscored ongoing development efforts in Garner, staff achievements, and the town's commitment to enhancing public spaces through art and community involvement.