In a reverse vote, the Wake Forest Town Board Tuesday night voted two to three on a motion to deny approval of the rezoning of the Joyner property, the one-time Wake Forest Country Club. Voting for Commissioner Nick Sliwinski’s motion to deny were Commissioner Adam Wright and Sliwinski. Voting no were Commissioners Chad Sary, Keith Shackleford and Jim Dyer.
There seemed to be agreement that the single vote was sufficient and there was no further vote on the rezoning.
However, Sliwinski made a motion to table the proposal until such time as there was soil testing because the land has been designated a watershed for Falls Lake. Horse Creek flows south through the 124.68 acres and into the lake near the intake for the Raleigh Water system, which serves all the eastern Wake County towns, including Wake Forest. The vote of that was unanimous to approve, and, after a discussion it was decided to revisit the rezoning proposal at their November work session.
In making his first motion, Sliwinski said that if it is going to be developed it should be consistent with the Community Plan. Wright later said that the developer should pay the $1,900 fines “for items that are not consistent with the Community Plan.”
Both the planning board and the town planning department had recommended the town board reject the rezoning.
Earlier in the evening, during the public hearing about the rezoning, several people also strongly objected to the plan.
Richard Ostergard, who has led a years-long opposition group of Wake Forest residents, said the ideal plan for the land, which has become park-like with mature trees and wildlife, should “be tolerable for everyone,” and said the owner, Green Timber Foundation (E. Carroll Joyner and his son), and developer, The McAdams Company, have not been transparent.
Marcus Potter, a neighbor, said the requested zoning is much denser than that in nearby neighborhoods. Also, he said the land along Capital Boulevard should have been kept undeveloped so it would be available for commercial use.
Richard Mayo, another neighbor, said questions about the traffic around the project have not been resolved. He said Joyner was able to buy the land for $325,000 because the special use zoning and the then-watershed designation made it undevelopable. The question, he said, is what is best for Wake Forest. With all of the already approved plans about to be built, the town will have a population of 70,000 or more in three to five years.
Janice Davis said the property has been zoned R3 but it should still have its watershed zoning, which is one house per acre. The UDO, the Unified Development Ordinance, has been undergoing changes and somehow GR3 zoning can become GR10.
Before any voting Senior Planner Patrick Reidy fielded questions from the commissioners about the Joyner plan.
Sary wanted to know what the planning staff would consider dense development, and Reidy said R10.
Sliwinski asked if road building within the 100-foot boundary around the three connected ponds with dams would be considered development, and Reidy said yes. He had the same answer when Wright asked if draining the ponds would be considered development.
The ponds block access to some land south of them. Reidy said if the ponds are disturbed or drained the town will have to issue a notice of violation and a stop work order and if work continues the fines would increase. “It’s more than a slap on the wrist.”
Dyer had another problem, saying that when he made an appointment with the developer, at that time the late Jim Adams, he would find Sliwinski and Wright already there. Because more than two commissioners together made a quorum, Dyer would have to leave.
Also, he said that people went onto the property that was posted with No Trespassing signs and picked up the soil. He called it “borderline criminal,” and said, “It was offensive to me what they were doing.”
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In other action Tuesday night:
— Two out of more than 30 applicants were selected as new planning board members, Elaine Shepard and Matt Davis. The commissioners also re-elected Rick Porter to the board of adjustment.
— The board voted for a new ordinance prohibiting smoking and the use of tobacco products and vapor products in town buildings, vehicles and on town grounds.
— The board approved an increase in the fire protection impact fees from the 2017 fee structure as follows: the fee for a single-family house was increased from $337 to $780, the fee for a multi-family unit increased from $253 to $681, the fee for 1,000 square feet of commercial and institutional from $569 to $1,015, and for industrial and manufacturing from $197 to $762. The fees are for new construction.
— The town and FUNGO are partnering to enhance Flaherty Park Field #2, and agreements between the two result in higher costs for those enhancements to the seating areas, bullpens, turf mounds, fencing and electrical service mean the original cost estimate has risen from $603,220 to $837,375. The board approved paying the town’s half the cost at $418,687.50.
— The town has received a grant of $2,175,000 from the federal government for the Smith Creek Reservoir Dam Mitigation Project, and the board approved naming the town manager and the chief financial officer as the agents.
–The town and the RP HV Lakeside LLC have agreed on the need for more signs and enhancements at the South Franklin Street-NC 98 Bypass intersection. The two entities will split the $399,300 cost.
— The town and RP HV Lakeside LLC, the current developer at Holding Village, have agreed on the need to widen South Franklin Street from Holding Village to near Rogers Road. The town has determined that the cost to the town in reimbursing the developer for the design and construction of that street portion the town is responsible for would cost less than if the town were to hire a contractor for the same work. The current cost estimate is $5,414,319 and the estimate of the town’s portion is $3,464,309. The numbers will be adjusted according to the actual bid.
— The town has received a grant from Electricities of $10,000 toward the current downtown renewal project, and the money will be provided to Firebox Theater.
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6 Responses
A vote for Jim Thompson is more of the dyer/sary/Shackleford line.
Same with the hardware store guy.
Every person that lives in Wake Forest should watch the replay of the BOC meeting last Tuesday. That meeting reflects how YOUR elected officials feel about WF citizens opinions. A big HUGE THANK YOU to Adam Wright AND Nick Sliwinski for asking the tough questions, supporting the citizens, caring about our drinking water, recognizing the need to solve some traffic issues before we continue to build and not giving in to the deep pockets of developers who don’t even live in Wake Forest. Sary and Dyer just wanted to lecture the attendees and the Mayor…well…watch the replay for yourselves. God Bless the group of Wake Forest Citizens who have worked tirelessly over the last 2 years to keep environmental impacts, traffic and open space at the forefront. You are recognized and appreciated. Im sorry that the Mayor, Sary, Dyer and Shakleford have little value for your time, detailed analysis, thoughts and opinions.
The Town government generally holds the view that all and more development is desirable. The incentive is tax base not quality of life. Developers hold the same view–no surprise–more money. The residents of this Town need to elect commissioners and mayor that reflect what you think is desirable for Wake Forest. Politicians are not demi-gods blessed with wisdom and charity. If you really want to live in ever decreasing sized housing that costs more. Vote for that politician. If you want to ride a bus or a bicycle instead of owning a car, vote for the politician promoting that idea. You–yes YOU– must be personally involved, educated and have an INFORMED opinion. Express that opinion logically and elect commissioners to represent your opinion. Anyone who has talked to me more than 5 minutes knows where I stand. Our little band has been fighting tirelessly to preserve open space in Wake Forest to preserve the environment and the quality of life. Citizens deserve the type of government they elect. At the hearing we heard from several planning board applicants who echo “walkability” (=no car) and mixed residential. To say the have an inherent bias is no more than stating the fact that we all have an opinion. We like to associate with people who agree with us. I like a Town that is approximately 20-40% open space. That gives everyone room for peaceful enjoyment, room for recreation, a clean environment, low crime, low pollution, driveable streets and manageable school populations. The community plan was contracted by the Town to express their vision and the limited participation of residents marginally affected the final product. That plan drives the UDO CHANGES. With that thought in mind remember that the Board of Commissioners sets the tone for all plans. The plans don’t fall from heaven written by the finger of God on stone tablets. If the UDO and community plans do not reflect the will of the residents–change them! You are in charge — don’t let the bureaucrats forget it.
Why are development decisions that have a regional impact on cities, counties and statewide commerce and travel be decided by a small town administration? It is time we start looking at these plans in a long term, big picture fashion. Then the developers can’t threaten a town council with a lawsuit. Now…about the Wake Forest electricity monopoly…!…?
Is anyone really surprised that the Joyner rezoning worked out this way, ignoring the neighbors’ concerns and the recommendations of Planning Board and professionals in the Planning Department? Sad that Wake Forest goes down the same path as other Triangle suburbs.