Garner council approves annexation for Duke Health medical site

The Town of Garner on Nov. 18 voted unanimously to approve a voluntary contiguous annexation (case ANX2517) for the Duke Health medical site, bringing the balance of the development parcel—approximately 23.03 acres plus nearly 4 acres of right‑of‑way—into town limits.

Planning director Jeff Trezenberg told council the site had an approved site plan (SP2118) from Nov. 15, 2022, and that groundwork had resumed but the buildings had not gone vertical. Council asked about construction timeline and access; Trezenberg estimated roughly an 18‑month build timeline for the initial phases and said cross‑access from adjacent parcels is expected to serve connections as development proceeds. He said the Traffic Impact Analysis for the site did not appear to close the warrant for a traffic signal at Evolve and 50, but that frontage improvements at the Benson‑Timber Drive intersection had been contemplated through state project offsets.

No members of the public had signed up to speak specifically on the annexation. Following staff presentation and brief council comment, Councilmember Vance moved to approve the ordinance; the council adopted the annexation by voice vote.

The annexation is the last step before the applicant may proceed to site plan and permitting for the first building. Staff noted that any subsequent phases or building permits will still require necessary engineering approvals, fee payments, and interagency coordination (City of Raleigh water/sewer connections where applicable).