Wendell board approves updated Wake County fire inspection agreement; tables West End Mixed Use annexation hearing

The Wendell Town Board of Commissioners on March 10 approved an updated interlocal agreement with Wake County that changes how the town pays for county fire inspection services and tabled a requested public hearing on the proposed West End Mixed Use annexation and rezoning.

Under the approved agreement, Wake County and the town will use a three‑year average to set the timing and payment for fire inspection services; the town manager told commissioners the change “deals with the timing and averaging of payment for their services.” The town manager said inspection rates themselves are not changing. The board authorized the town manager to sign the agreement.

The action was taken during the board’s administrative items after staff presented the proposed update to the existing interlocal arrangement for inspections. Town staff described the update as an administrative change intended to smooth payments over time rather than alter inspection rates or service levels.

Earlier in the meeting the board addressed a planned public hearing on an annexation and conditional rezoning request for about 41.43 acres on the north side of Wendell Falls Parkway between Poole Road and Martin Pond Road. Mr. Coates, a town staff member, said, “The applicant for this project has requested that we not hold the public hearing tonight. They wanna reschedule it and come back, and we'll re‑notify neighboring property owners and go through our legal requirements at that time.” The board voted to table the hearing; staff said a new date had not been set.

Commissioner Joiner provided an update from the Wendell Volunteer Fire Department during other business, noting Wake County’s proposed fire commission budget will move through the county process and currently includes a proposed 1.5¢ fire tax increase. Joiner also reported that a new ladder truck had a first inspection in Florida and that a second inspection was being arranged; he described a recent live burn training at Eagle Rock Road involving Wendell firefighters and students from the Wake County Fire Academy.

The meeting also included ceremonial items: the board adopted a proclamation designating March 2025 as Creek Week in Wendell and recognized Christopher Torr as East Wake High School’s 2024–25 teacher of the year. Town leaders invited the public to Creek Week activities, including a litter sweep at Little River with East Wake High School and a Rotary Club cleanup at a town‑owned property.

The board opened the meeting with remarks from Reverend Wallace Johnson of Window United Methodist Church and a Pledge of Allegiance led by East Wake student Colby Claude, and concluded with reminders about upcoming community events including an Arbor Day celebration and a downtown food‑truck rodeo on March 22.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the agenda: approved by voice vote with no opposition (motion recorded; board indicated “Aye”). - Motion to approve the consent agenda: approved by voice vote with no opposition (board indicated “Aye”). - Motion to table the public hearing on annexation/rezoning for the West End Mixed Use Development (approx. 41.43 acres at Wendell Falls Parkway / Richardson Farm Lane): motion carried; public hearing rescheduled (date not specified). Evidence: Mr. Coates requested the delay. - Motion to approve the updated Wake County fire inspection agreement and authorize the town manager to sign: approved by voice vote with no opposition.

The board did not set a new date for the West End Mixed Use public hearing at the March 10 meeting; staff said neighbors will be re‑notified consistent with legal requirements.