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Residents press Fuquay Varina officials to enforce codes after prolonged construction near Pine Acres
Summary
Neighbors and the pastor of Saint Augustine Missionary Baptist Church urged the town to enforce codes and address safety, debris, and potential inequitable treatment after a multi‑lot project near Longfellow and Bridge Street remained exposed to the elements and created hazards.
Residents and a local pastor urged the Fuquay Varina Town Board during public comment to step up enforcement and speed remediation on a stalled construction site near Saint Augustine Missionary Baptist Church in the Pine Acres neighborhood. Reverend Marvin Connolly and resident Chris Coleman described debris, repeated flat tires and long periods with exposed framing at 490 Longfellow Street and nearby parcels.
"It's not just inconvenient. It's dangerous and disrespectful," Reverend Connolly said during the meeting. He described an increase in multifamily construction and said the neighborhood feels ignored, raising concerns about rezoning, enforcement and equity.
Coleman told the board he believed developer Judson Smith acquired the lots with prior knowledge a rezoning to TCR (Town Center Residential) would be granted and said on‑site work had not progressed since a code directive in August 2024. "Nothing has been done. So that's about 7 weeks that nothing has been done," he said. Coleman asked why the site had been left exposed to the weather and why visible framing remained on the first floor.
Town officials and staff described the town's enforcement and permitting actions. The town attorney said he had spoken directly with property owner Judson Smith and that Smith had hired a new general contractor, Vision Homes and Design. The attorney said the contractor submitted a demolition permit to remove the upper framing and trusses; inspections staff completed that demolition work and the contractor is permitted to submit new building permits to continue construction.
"It looks like he has hired a different general contractor to complete the project," the town attorney said. The attorney added that code enforcement had issued fines previously, that officers had cleaned the site at times, and that legal remedies exist but can take time.
Town Manager Adam Mitchell and the inspections director said the remaining wood framing must be certified as suitable by a licensed structural engineer before construction can continue. Mitchell said if a third‑party engineer cannot certify the structure, the developer will be required to remove it and start over. "There is a process in place that state building code drives and our inspections department is going to ensure that Mr. Smith and his now new general contractor adheres to that or else they won't be able to continue advancing the construction of that home," Mitchell said.
Board members acknowledged community frustration. Commissioner Harris said the situation raised concerns about gentrification and equity in approvals for the west side of town and called for swift action if the site posed safety risks. The town attorney and staff urged neighbors to continue reporting code issues and said staff would monitor the site and follow up on permits and enforcement.
Town officials also clarified how zoning and redevelopment rules apply to small lots. Staff and the town attorney said property owners retain certain rights on lots of record — for example, a 25‑foot lot can be developed under current zoning rules — but rezoning to TCR provides a menu of housing types and allows voluntary conditions to seek a higher‑quality product. The town reiterated that land‑use policy adopted by the board in 2022 informs but does not by itself approve any particular development; approvals occur only after specific rezoning or permitting proceedings.
