Garner council approves Project Cougar rezoning for 128‑acre site near US‑70

Garner’s Town Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025‑53‑63 during the Sept. 16 meeting, approving Project Cougar (CZ25001), a tier‑1 conditional rezoning request by Jeremy Anderson on behalf of NCTH Holdings LLC.

Planner Tom presented the proposal to rezone approximately 127.98 acres from a mix of commercial mixed‑use, light industrial and heavy industrial conditional districts to a single light industrial conditional district. The site sits in two activity centers and has strong highway access; staff reported recent NCDOT traffic counts and noted the site’s location near South Greenville Parkway and US‑70. Planning staff recommended approval, and the planning commission forwarded a favorable recommendation (6–1).

“Staff analysis does find the request consistent and reasonable and would recommend approval,” the planner said during the presentation. After a council motion and second, the council voted by voice to adopt the ordinance; hearing no nays, the mayor declared the motion passed unanimously.

The applicant offered one written condition placing office headquarters at the project’s northwest corner. Planner comments to council noted neighborhood outreach (a November neighborhood meeting with four attendees) and that 25 of the 44 permitted uses in the proposed light industrial district were being requested. Council discussion at the meeting was limited before the voice vote adopting the ordinance.

The ordinance adoption concludes the council’s legislative action on this rezoning at the Sept. 16 meeting; staff will follow up on any conditions and permitting steps during site development and with the planning commission as appropriate.