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Garner council approves Burnett Crossing annexation over dissent about piecemeal development
Summary
The council approved the voluntary annexation of Burnett Crossing (Ordinance 20255307) by a 3–2 vote after residents questioned traffic and property-value impacts and a council member said the town needs more comprehensive planning.
The Garner Town Council adopted an ordinance on Feb. 18 approving the voluntary satellite annexation of Burnett Crossing (Ordinance 20255307), a rezoning/annexation step that adds just over 45 acres to the town’s satellite area east of Auburn Village.
Council member Vance moved to approve the annexation and Council member Matthews seconded. The measure passed on a roll-call vote, 3–2: Vance — aye; Dellinger — no; Behringer — aye; Singleton — no; Matthews — aye.
Public comment at the hearing came from Greg Kirstein, who identified himself as an Auburn Village resident. Kirstein said he and his wife were “most scared of misinformation” and asked for specifics about the proposed development: numbers of single-family homes, townhomes and apartments; parking and garage arrangements; and whether commercial uses were planned in the so-called Rock Quarry–US 70–Auburn Knightdale triangle. He said the neighborhood includes older residents, that traffic is a concern at the Knightdale Road frontage, and asked for clarity on truck traffic and school-bus routing.
Planning director Jeff Trezenberg responded that council and planning commission had reviewed the project several times and that subdivision plans and plats are nearing completion for the townhome portion. Trezenberg invited Kirstein to make an appointment with the planning office to review maps, elevations and other details.
Council member Dellinger said he would vote no and explained his reasons on the record: he cited the annexation’s proximity to I-540, the failure to comprehensively plan and rezone a larger area in a coordinated way, and concern that piecemeal approvals encourage lower-revenue projects and disjointed infrastructure. Dellinger urged a “more comprehensive approach to development” for the triangle area.
Why this matters: annexation brings properties into the town’s regulatory and service framework and can trigger public-works extensions (water, sewer, roads). Residents raised questions about traffic, phasing and the mix of uses; council members noted those concerns during debate.
Council and staff follow-up: Trezenberg offered to meet with concerned neighbors to review project-level maps and plans; staff will continue processing subdivision plats and coordinate traffic and infrastructure reviews as required by permitting.
