Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Wendell approves annexation and rezoning for new Lightbridge Academy daycare
Loading...
Summary
The Wendell Town Board approved annexation and conditional rezoning of 2.82 acres at 729 Eagle Rock Road for a Lightbridge Academy child-care center expected to serve roughly 185–190 children and employ about 60 people; staff and the planning board recommended approval.
Wendell — The Wendell Town Board on Wednesday approved annexation and rezoning of roughly 2.82 acres for a Lightbridge Academy child-care facility at 729 Eagle Rock Road.
Planning staff described the proposal as a roughly 12,600-square-foot center with a roughly 7,000-square-foot playground; developers asked for a reduction in a type B buffer width to allow a narrower planting area while maintaining required planting counts, and sought limited relief from a maximum setback due to topography. Staff recommended approval, noting the project would provide much-needed child-care capacity, and the planning board had unanimously recommended the rezoning.
The applicant and developer said the facility would be designed to meet state and franchise requirements, accommodate approximately 185–190 children and employ about 60 staff. "We can accommodate about 190 kids," the franchisee said, explaining the large playground and staffing numbers are driven by state rules and franchise standards. The applicant also described ongoing coordination on stormwater and required county and federal permits.
Commissioners asked questions about buffer treatments, the jurisdictional stream and riparian buffer on the site's north side, and connectivity to surrounding road projects. Staff and the applicant explained that the parcel had topographic constraints and that the proposed design had been through the town's technical review committee. The applicant said construction drawings and permit-ready materials are near completion and they plan to submit for permits once the board approved annexation and zoning.
The board voted to approve the annexation and rezoning by voice vote. Town staff noted additional site-specific permits will be required, including stormwater approval from Wake County and any wetlands or Corps approvals for impacts to jurisdictional areas.
What happens next: the applicant will proceed with final construction drawings and permit applications, including stormwater and any federal/state environmental permits; staff will work with the applicant during site-plan review to ensure buffer, setback and traffic/staging measures meet town and state requirements.
