Mayor breaks tie, votes for townhouses

After the Wake Forest commissioners split two to two on a motion to approve rezoning for 40 North Main townhouses – Commissioner Anne Reeve was absent because of the death of her uncle – Mayor Vivian Jones, who rarely gets to vote, said people have to look at the long-range plan and effect. The town’s growth plan says infill projects should be more compact and a mix of types and costs, she said. “I believe infill should be more dense.” She added the townhouses will not affect nearby property values and the town needs more affordable housing. “I vote in favor of the motion.

Commissioners Liz Simpers and Bridget Wall-Lennon voted yes; Commissioners Greg Harrington and Brian Pate voted no. All gave statements before the vote.

Simpers had a written statement where she quoted from some of the email messages she received:

“Instead of being a community where we can enjoy living with our neighbors we are being crammed together like sardines because of poor planning and allowing greed to be what dictates.

“We plan to actively campaign and vote for only those commissioners who are against rezoning, for every election cycle.”

“You probably got paid for your votes.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if you’re all getting kickbacks from the developer to change the zoning.”

Simpers said she “can’t just take my facts from emails and Facebook. I have to trust the professionals and engineers who come in front of this board for each case.” Last week, she said, there were 521 homes for sale in Wake Forest but only 22 listed at under $250,000. “We need more quality affordable homes.”

“Do not question my integrity,” Harrington said, and people may disagree with him and his fellow commissioners, “But to question our integrity is absurd.” He talked about his 44 years as a public servant ending as the town’s police chief, said he had spoken to many people about the project, including people who have horses. He then said of the Williams family, to “besmirch their name is totally unnecessary.” At the end, “Whoever wrote these nasty emails should go back and think about this.”

Wall-Lennon also talked about spending many hours considering the project, speaking to people, walking around the property. As for the emails, “I was miffed and very disappointed and disheartened by the messages we received.” When people who oppose a project become belligerent and disrespectful, it can make you want to vote against their views. She heard people were fearful a townhouse owner would rent to college students. “This is a seminary.” She held up the printed emails, half a ream of paper.

Pate said, “If an owner of a property wants to sell it and someone wants to buy it, they have that right.” Emotions get involved when there is a rezoning. “I’ve had very nasty emails from people who have been friends of mine for twenty years.” Also, If you can get four hundred signatures on a petition, then have them put up a thousand dollars apiece and buy the property.” And, “I’m disappointed that people think they can scream and make a lot of noise and get their way.”

Wall-Lennon seconded Simper’s motion to approve.

Every seat was filled in the board chamber and people stood along the walls as well as outside in the hall and in the adjoining lobby where a television screen showed the action in the meeting room. As soon as the townhouse voting was over, about half the people in the board chamber left. There were at least seven police officers in the room and just outside, including Chief Jeff Leonard, all in uniform.

The commissioners approved the other three planning items: A unanimous vote for rezoning the Bridges-Pace properties to conditional mixed use residential for senior housing; a three to one vote with Harrington voting no to approve the rezoning at 218 South Main Street to conditional mixed use residential; and a unanimous vote to amend the Uniform Development Ordinance to give residents on private streets a way to ask for town ownership and maintenance.

It had appeared Tuesday night’s meeting might be a long one with 11 proclamations, two presentations and three public hearings before the action agenda. However, the mayor said several of them would be read at the events or sent to the organization’s headquarters. She did recognize the two youth basketball teams which just won their state championships, the Girls 10 & Under All-Star team and the Boys 18 & Under All-Star team and their coaches.

Brandon White with Kimley Horn Associates explained how they plan to extend the South White Street streetscape south to East Holding Avenue and improve East Owen between Brooks and South White. They will use the existing right-of-way but add street trees, street furniture (benches, trash bins), widen sidewalks, improve driveways and put all utilities underground. There will be four brick-like crosswalks at the intersections. White also talked about the possibility of either angled or parallel street parking on South White and which type of barriers to use on Owen when it is used for festivals.

During the public hearing about the financing for the purchase of the former SunTrust Bank at 353 South White, Matthew Reck said he was concerned the town was getting into commercial real estate and the money “should already be available.” Mayor Jones said the town has not signed the purchase check yet.

Bill Harrison, who operates a real estate business downtown with his wife, Hilda Parler, and is on the boards of Wake Forest Downtown and Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, said he and his wife are advocates of a strong Wake Forest. He wants to see the people living near downtown to be able to walk to South White Street and not get in their cars and drive to Raleigh for entertainment.

The board authorized two bond orders, $600,000 for greenway improvements and $230,000 for streets and sidewalks. The bonds were approved in the 2014 referendum.

Reck spoke again during the citizen comment section, asking why the town is paying for a new garbage truck for Republic to use in the narrow alleys being built in some new developments. “Didn’t anyone from the town or somebody else see if the garbage trucks could get through the alleys?”

Cat Redd, who with her husband, Russ, began and continue to organize the Gobblers Run held the morning of Thanksgiving to raise money for the Wake Forest Boys and Girls Club, ask that the town allow temporary road closings for the route which runs from the club and through downtown. She said the race has raised more than $375,000 since it began in 2005. Jones called it “a marvelous event” and the vote to approve road closings was approved unanimously.

At the end of the meeting the commissioners, town attorney and town manager went into a closed session to talk about matters which appear to be involved with the planned purchase of the former SunTrust Bank. They took no action when they returned from closed session to adjourn.