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Wake Forest planning board approves rezoning for 1621 and 1701 Waite Avenue ahead of annexation
Summary
The planning board approved legislative case RZ24-06 to rezone 4.48 acres at 1621 and 1701 Waite Avenue from Wake County Highway District to the town's Rural Holding District; the rezoning will apply only if the property is annexed into the town. A nearby resident voiced concerns about noise and preservation of a tree line and pollinator garden.
The Town of Wake Forest Planning Board voted to approve legislative case RZ24-06, a request to rezone about 4.48 acres at 1621 and 1701 Waite Avenue from Wake County Highway District (HD) to the town's Rural Holding District (RD). The town is the applicant and owner; the rezoning request accompanies an annexation petition so the zoning could be applied if the town annexes the parcels.
Town planning staff presented the application, describing the two parcels as one containing a single-family dwelling and the other vacant. Staff recommended approval, saying the rezoning is consistent with the town's comprehensive plan and in the public interest. No technical conditions or substantial staff objections were cited during the presentation.
A neighbor, Paul Jason Baker Nicholas of 1705 Waite Avenue, spoke during public comment. He said his family lives adjacent to the site and expressed two concerns: potential sound impacts for his autistic son and preserving a tree line on the shared property line, where he plans to establish a native pollinator garden. Planning staff recorded his comments for the record; there was no application change proposed in response at the meeting.
Planning Board member Almquist moved to approve RZ24-06 “as generally consistent with the relevant policy in the comprehensive plan and reasonable and in the public interest.” The motion was seconded by Planning Board member Shepherd and passed unanimously.
Because the rezoning request was filed in conjunction with an annexation petition, the RD zoning would be applied only if the town annexes the parcels. Staff noted the property is inside the town's long-range urban service area and that rezoning is intended to place appropriate town zoning on the property upon annexation.
The board did not request additional studies or conditions at the meeting. The record shows staff will continue to process the rezoning and the parallel annexation petition according to town procedures.
