Wendell approves annexation, rezoning for 535-unit West End mixed-use development with park dedication and timeline change for amenities

The Wendell Board of Commissioners voted 4–1 to approve annexation and rezoning of roughly 41.43 acres along Wendell Falls Parkway to create the West End Mixed Use Development, a project that would allow up to 384 multifamily units, 151 townhomes and about 20,000 square feet of nonresidential space plus a town-dedicated park.

Planning staff told the board the conditional district plan calls for a mix of commercial at the parkway frontage, multifamily buildings and townhomes, a 4.43-acre public park to be dedicated in phase 1, a 10-foot multiuse path to connect into the site and specific architectural, setback and buffering standards intended to protect adjacent Wylie Oaks homes. The proposal showed 535 maximum dwelling units overall and an overall density of about 12.91 units per acre.

The board’s approval included two changes to staff-recommended conditions. The board extended the deadline in condition 16 (originally 2 years) to 4 years for the town to commence construction of playground and pavilion facilities in the dedicated park after the land is conveyed, and it added language to ensure…