[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6478601,"mediaKeyId","5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c","parentId",5708674,"title","Garner council approves two voluntary annexations; one ordinance passes 4‑1","audioSeconds",926,"startMs",3684000,"endMs",4610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c&start=3684&end=4610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c/thumbnail_3684000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478601/Garner/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Garner-council-approves-two-voluntary-annexations-one-ordinance-passes-41","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478601-7cdf4120213e4c9e5c636b4e440bd585/orig.mp4?Expires=1774821073&Signature=gWwmayNWiiFdEWnmO26tVeRFdA~8-N4pFW9wnwcUgkvJ8RgCHmnKCRvCrYTnNdUUpN4b7ST8-2oZWdJztiNgj18qVP9Dgkjp1WbC1W8Cz-XhpFf4oPknlgx0qa8RT1~KBFkOxDO5Nhjj~w0ln9IUDtk4~OxEeAT8W1ODd1RPIMFIq7KCjW8glC9Z~Nh3WSNcmC4DpUfn8JP9UimzeVj3o2ej6XEN4w2o7K4LCojnKyl0kxih6ZARqO37BTExsgFv5~TVG-LO5U1VDSAzvAK6jp8aPSm5WD2ZlRcrFWXZi~W17yVW~ctoiqshn-NP2ESR9fQBf52fG3BlFyPdUBdwnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garner","date","2025-09-02T23:33:27.67Z","article","The Town of Garner Council approved two voluntary, contiguous annexations at its Sept. 2 meeting.

The council unanimously adopted ordinance number 20 25 53 60, annexing the property at 5021 Vanessa Drive (case ANX25O14). Planning staff described the lot as just under a half acre, contiguous to Garner municipal limits by virtue of adjacent Smith Elementary School (a unit of county/local government), and intended for a single‑family home to connect to existing water. The applicant’s representative was Rob Baumgart. Planning director Jeff Trezenberg told the council the house to be sited there was moved from 5005 Old Stage Road.

The council also adopted ordinance number 20 25 53 61 to annex 1214 and 1216 Buffalo Road (case ANX25O15). The petition was submitted by Kaye Walker of Future Ground Ventures and Trevor Miller was present as a representative. Planning staff said the two vacant residential lots total about 1.43 acres, have water and sewer available in Buffalo Road, and are directly across from the Lakemore subdivision. Council member Elmo Vance moved approval and Council member John Matthews seconded. The motion carried 4–1; Council member Dellinger recorded a \"no\" vote while the remote member, Council member Singleton, voted aye. The ordinance record indicates the town will allow the properties to connect to town water and sewer.

Council members asked about site layout, utility easements and driveway safety at the curve on Buffalo Road. Applicants and staff said a sewer easement runs between the two Buffalo Road lots; the easement allows vehicle access and will remain in place. Applicants indicated typical single‑family setbacks will be met and that home orientations will be toward the road; staff said setbacks and easements make the proposed lots buildable. No other conditions or changes were imposed by the council when adopting the ordinances.

Votes at a glance

- ANX25O14 (5021 Vanessa Drive) — Ordinance number 20 25 53 60. Motion to adopt made by John Matthews, seconded by Ms. Behringer; outcome: approved unanimously (voice vote).

- ANX25O15 (1214 & 1216 Buffalo Road) — Ordinance number 20 25 53 61. Motion to adopt made by Elmo Vance, seconded by John Matthews; outcome: approved 4–1 (Dellinger: no; Singleton: aye remotely; others: aye).

(All vote tallies and motions recorded from the meeting transcript. Quotes and descriptions are based on staff presentations and applicant statements from the public hearing.)

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting for September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Town Council adopted two voluntary annexation ordinances on Sept. 2 for vacant lots at 5021 Vanessa Drive and 1214–1216 Buffalo Road. The Vanessa Drive annexation passed unanimously; the Buffalo Road annexation passed 4–1 with Council member Dellinger voting no.","taxTitle","Garner, Wake County, North Carolina","taxId",55441,"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},6478607,"Garner public commenters urge broader affordable‑housing definition and more units",497,1069000,1566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c&start=1069&end=1566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c/thumbnail_1069000.jpg","/articles/6478607/Garner/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Garner-public-commenters-urge-broader-affordablehousing-definition-and-more-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478607-df8a737a70b6337f26a698ea7b9f6f0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774821073&Signature=TWhKg1WwYuYD3cHyEDB-wfLRxIhNcI~5RKWIEuncQr7XpjBC7izrH8Gd7FCG0Un-0TQR7b4ejEA6g1u4JVYakY8xiiOaunXZ05CT381jjCcxCzL4Sb2BMKgULTBR20N66NXyvzbsTX3nXDr-kBe39zIEAouiIf1FHiqLj4XUJ7tEfcyS7AD2rEO0FMAUDvP-30KPpUV-7FC-1x0ekfDL7mMCjixOnYlRDvsF1cagt8W4bDvQ3SwimOGAlqE4v8Gf50uDzOB07THCYMUvG-1qvyw3subC9sSgYoDhbp6vZWxOhNq5HwCuiTgCkOeaiJDm-o1473xnpITusT7OBt4~-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three people who told the council they represent new and recently arrived residents urged Garner officials on Tuesday to reexamine how the town defines and plans for affordable housing and to expand the supply of units for residents making far less than the regional median.

Sarah Mala, who said she represents a local community group that recently moved to Garner, thanked the mayor and council for attending a Ganesh festival and said newcomers want to be part of Garner’s civic life. \"You have given that positive spirit and encouragement,\" Mala said, adding the community wants to collaborate on civic and cultural activities.

A second speaker, Adarsh(a) Adepali, also described feeling welcomed by the town and said about 1,000 families had moved into the area in the past two to three years. He offered volunteer help and encouraged sustained collaboration between newcomers and town staff.

Terrica Lewis, who identified herself as a mother, veteran and recent college graduate, focused her comments on housing policy. She told the council there is \"a documented shortage of 766 affordable units in Garner for households under 60% of the area median income,\" and said that a statistic presented at a recent meeting — that Garner's responsibility is roughly 16.5 units per year — felt “deeply out of touch.” Lewis said a family like hers could wait decades at the current pace for relief. She also said Garner’s median income is approximately $77,000 but that the town currently uses a regional income figure of about $132,000 when defining affordability, which she said makes households earning over $100,000 eligible under the town’s current standard while lower‑earning residents remain at risk of homelessness. \"Will Garner continue to define affordable housing in a way that helps households making $100,000 per year? Or will it build a future where veterans like me, teachers, bus drivers, parents can raise their children in the community that they love?\" Lewis asked.

Council members and the mayor offered brief thanks for the speakers’ comments. No formal action or policy change was taken at Tuesday’s meeting; council members and staff noted public comments could be referred to appropriate staff for follow‑up or scheduled for a future agenda item, per standard practice for petitions and comments.

(Speakers quoted and paraphrased from the meeting record.)

","Three residents told the Town Council their families and recent arrivals need a different approach to local affordable‑housing metrics and urged town leaders to prioritize units affordable to households earning far less than the regional median.",{"_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},6478612,"Turnpike Authority briefs Garner council on NC 540 Phase 2 construction, schedule and noise-policy rules",1300,1750000,3050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c&start=1750&end=3050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708674-2a8cd0804500a9e4841114d25ee64a9c/thumbnail_1750000.jpg","/articles/6478612/Garner/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Turnpike-Authority-briefs-Garner-council-on-NC-540-Phase-2-construction-schedule-and-noise-policy-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478612-5aef04555e9cfa9b5c5394d84e6b8fad/orig.mp4?Expires=1774821073&Signature=hi3PI01Oo7~c5x2aukGAKG3UWWMyqTPl-tfmNr4nai8l0yf3tGAQZSpyd05kjY9BMpaicRJ5o8kLtA7QmacAjcoOn~6rvjRuToyEVaGZa1ekxZ2KYvN~mD2d~Ng2pLN7mqtaTWj9L98y29cJmapIUywOTQUVFv3hJ4EAbmQjDKEbyZcZC-p9EM2UWmDjmiA7~OS0EaznnQwUaxhDkhX-Yp239TeC9wElzaG9ZbgZeZGaOtfqn0mwxg8eEeL12lJestCi2iAWx7yhg4YLRo5~fk2qLMT4Q8TrFx~JXIxWWgt8cQXIwnvRCvG91pt3XpilEBGxXyvhsgw7rlYKEClpPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Carolina Turnpike Authority updated the Town of Garner Council Tuesday on construction and design for Phase 2 of the NC 540 Outer Loop and answered council questions about costs, traffic detours and community impacts.

The Turnpike Authority said that 86% of the Outer Loop lane miles are open and that crews are building the final 10 miles on the eastern side of the project. Alan Shapiro, identified in the meeting as chief engineer for the Turnpike Authority, told council members the agency still expects the remaining work to be completed in “late calendar year 2028.” He said the phase 2 projects were awarded more recently and reflect higher construction prices: \"You get 10 miles of construction for about $740,000,000,\" Shapiro said, contrasting that with the earlier southern section where three contracted projects (about 16–18 miles) originally bid at roughly $750 million.

The presentation outlined several design changes and traffic impacts that affect Garner. Shapiro said engineers realigned East Garner Road to eliminate a second set of high bridges and reduce long‑term maintenance costs; he said the contract allows the contractor to close East Garner Road for a short, defined period and detour traffic during tie‑in work. \"The contractor is only allowed to close East Garner Road and detour for 90 days,\" he said. Shapiro also reviewed interchange concepts planned near Garner, including a reduced‑conflict interchange at U.S. 70 designed to limit left‑turn movements and a combined “flyover/fly‑under” — the design team’s so‑called “flunder” — at I‑87 to balance earthwork and reduce the number of bridge spans.

Shapiro described how the Turnpike Authority plans and coordinates multimodal accommodations such as shared bike lanes, separated bike lanes and multi‑use paths. He said bridges were widened and earth berms constructed to allow future municipal additions without demolition. The authority also reviewed its noise‑abatement process: the critical reference is the “date of public knowledge” tied to the project’s final environmental document. \"That date is June 6, 2018,\" Shapiro said; under USDOT and NCDOT policy, dwellings with building permits issued after that date are generally not eligible for a federal noise‑abatement evaluation. He explained that even when a receptor is evaluated there are two additional tests — feasibility and reasonableness — and that the agency is limited to building 2,500 square feet of wall per receptor under federal policy. If a wall is found feasible and reasonable, the impacted property owners are balloted and may reject the wall.

Shapiro described ongoing outreach on Phase 2 and said the authority will continue the public engagement approach used for Phase 1: more than 130 presentations, roughly 7,000 participants, over 90 press releases, targeted postcards labeled “Dear Neighbors,” and a project hotline that logged more than 2,500 emails and 1,500 calls, according to his slides. He also noted two neighborhood meetings scheduled for September to review Phase 2 plans and answer resident questions, and pointed council and residents to the project website with an interactive map and a toll‑free hotline.

Council members pressed the Turnpike Authority on cost trends and coordination with local utilities and development. Mayor Pro Tem Elmo Vance thanked the presenter for responding to the council’s request for an early briefing. Council member John Matthews asked whether the authority installs sleeves (encasements) for future water and sewer when building interchanges; Shapiro said the authority had added encasement pipes at multiple locations on Phase 1 and that, where feasible, it seeks to add such conduits during construction. If not installed during construction, municipal or developer requests can be accommodated later but typically require jack‑and‑bore under the highway right of way and coordination with the DOT district office.

Shapiro said the Phase 2 segments will open together from I‑40 to I‑87, like Phase 1, because intermediate interchanges cannot serve as full traffic exits on their own. \"None of our intermediate interchanges can serve as an all‑traffic exit. So we need to open from I‑40 to I‑87 at the exact same time,\" he said.

Council members thanked the Turnpike Authority for the briefing and said they appreciated the agency’s outreach. The presentation and related materials were included in the council’s agenda packet, and staff said the Turnpike Authority will return with more progress updates and additional photos as construction continues.

(Quotes attributed to speakers as recorded in the meeting transcript.)

","The North Carolina Turnpike Authority told the Town of Garner on Sept. 2 that construction on the remaining 10 miles of the NC 540 Outer Loop is under way, that the corridor is on track to open in late 2028, and explained how federal noise‑abatement rules and local outreach will affect nearby neighbors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Garner council approves two voluntary annexations; one ordinance passes 4‑1

Garner public commenters urge broader affordable‑housing definition and more units

Turnpike Authority briefs Garner council on NC 540 Phase 2 construction, schedule and noise-policy rules