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Town Council Work Session

Town of Garner · Town Council Work Session
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 6:00 pm · Ronnie S. Williams Council Chambers Garner Town Hall 900 7th Avenue | Garner, NC 27529

Work session Housing and affordabilityLand conversion and large developmentRezoningBonds and debtBudget and appropriationsIntergovernmental agreementsParks and recreationPolice and public safetyState legislative agendaSubdivision and site plans

Agenda document Meeting page Watch

What's on this agenda

Garner's council spends most of this work session on housing and land use. Back for a third time (after being deferred in January and March), a resolution consenting to Wake County Housing Authority bonds for the 171-unit Bennett North Apartments is up again; the developer now plans 170 of 171 units at 60% of area median income and wants the project exempt from property tax, a shift from the original special-use permit's affordability terms. Two development previews give council an early look at rezoning requests: a 28.5-acre tract at 7615 Ten Ten Road proposed for age-restricted senior living, apartments and retail (500 total units), and a rezoning of three parcels on Auburn Church Road for a 226-home mixed subdivision (Village at Big Branch) near an employment center.

The rest of the agenda is informational: a legislative agenda update ahead of the town finalizing its 2026 state legislative priorities, an early look at FY27 budget priorities following council's February retreat, proposed Chapter 3 animal control ordinance amendments to align with Wake County's shelter agreement, and routine manager reports (development activity map, April's pending agenda). No votes are recorded; a closed session is also listed with no subject given in the posted agenda.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Speaking at this meeting

Town of Garner's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Agenda items (9)

Discussion item · 5Staff or committee report · 2Resolution · 1Closed session · 1
  1. D.1 Bennett North Apartments – Resolution Authorizing Affordable Housing Bond Issuance
    Resolution Bonds and debtHousing and affordabilityLand conversion and large development
    Wake County Housing Authority is seeking a town resolution consenting to multifamily housing revenue bonds for a 171-unit apartment project in Garner; the developer now proposes 170 units at 60% AMI, a change from the special-use permit's original affordability mix, and a property-tax exemption. This is the item's third appearance, after being deferred at the January 20 and March 3 meetings.
  2. D.2 Legislative Agenda Update
    Discussion item State legislative agenda
    The town's lobbyist and staff present recommendations for Garner's 2026 state legislative agenda ahead of the upcoming General Assembly session; staff propose adding a final version to the April 7 consent agenda.
  3. D.3 Update for the FY27 Budget Development
    Discussion item Budget and appropriations
    Budget staff update council on FY27 budget development requested at the February retreat and share public comments submitted through the town's budget portal, seeking council input on priorities.
  4. D.4 Code Revision Project Update - Animal Control Ordinance Amendments
    Discussion item Intergovernmental agreementsPolice and public safety
    Legal and police staff present proposed revisions to the town's animal control ordinance (Chapter 3) to align with Wake County's animal control ordinance and a new interlocal shelter agreement, covering leash rules, impoundment timelines, civil penalties, and dangerous-animal hearing procedures. Council is asked whether to proceed to a public hearing.
  5. D.5.1 Development Preview – 7615 Ten Ten Rd.
    Discussion item Housing and affordabilityLand conversion and large developmentRezoning
    Early council preview of a Tier 1 conditional rezoning of a 28.5-acre tract from Rural Agricultural to Commercial Mixed Use, proposed for age-restricted independent senior living plus 40 townhomes and 450 apartments, and up to 38,000 square feet of commercial space.
  6. D.5.2 Development Preview - Village at Big Branch
    Discussion item Housing and affordabilityLand conversion and large developmentParks and recreationRezoningSubdivision and site plans
    Early council preview of rezoning three parcels on Auburn Church Road to R8-CZ for a mixed-housing subdivision (up to 226 homes: single-family, duplex, and townhouse) near an Employment Activity Center, with an amenity area and open space.
  7. E.1.1 Development Activity Map Update
    Staff or committee report
    Monthly update on the town's online Development Activity Map; this month adds two applications in progress and two under review.
  8. E.1.2 April 2026 Pending Agenda Report
    Staff or committee report
    Draft agendas for the town's April meetings, provided for council's advance review.
  9. F Closed Session
    Closed session
    A closed session is listed on the agenda; the posted materials do not state its subject or statutory basis.

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