Garner UDO Re-Write Virtual Meeting Scheduled for April 15

The Town of Garner is updating its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which governs land use and development regulations in the Town’s jurisdiction. The UDO update will be guided by the Garner Forward Comprehensive Plan.

Public input is an important part of the UDO update, and members of the public are invited to attend a first public meeting--an online forum--to learn about the update process and timeline. This virtual meeting will be hosted by our consulting team from Stewart, Inc., and will be held on April 15 at 2 p.m. We will live stream it on our Facebook page, facebook.com/townofgarner. You can ask questions and offer input during the forum by posting comments on Facebook. We will also put the videotaped presentation on our website so residents can view it after the forum. This will not be your only opportunity to weigh in on the UDO update.

We will soon have more specifics here on the Town website concerning pre-meeting materials. Please also check the UDO Re-Write page for more general project information.

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In late 2019, the Town of Garner contracted with Stewart, Inc.'s Municipal Planning & Mobility team to undertake a re-write of the Town's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). It is anticipated that this will be a 2-year project. Bookmark or subscribe to this page for updates.

What is a UDO, and what does a re-write project entail?

A UDO is a regulatory document that combines traditional zoning and subdivision regulations along with other desired regulations such as design guidelines, sign regulations, and floodplain and stormwater management into a single easy-to-read reference document. A UDO is intended to eliminate redundant or conflicting codes provisions, help streamline the development review and approval process, and clarify the procedures and requirements with clear illustrations and language.

The Garner UDO update process will:

• Update existing regulations and provide new standards for existing land development codes

• Implement the applicable vision and goals of the Garner Forward Comprehensive & Transportation plans

• Introduce form- or design-based code elements where applicable - including transit-oriented development requirements supportive of the Wake Transit Plan

• Standardize and streamline definitions, procedures, and enforcement processes

• Create a document that is easier to use, understand, administer, and enforce

• Assure the document is consistent with the latest federal law and North Carolina General Statutes, including the state’s new enabling legislation for municipalities: Chapter 160D

• Update street, access & connectivity standards

• Provide a standardized use table (LBCS with local amendments) - including guidance for interpretation and clarification on allowances for accessory/secondary/multiple use

• Clearly define home occupation standards that are observable, enforceable and defensible

• Modify existing zoning districts and introduce potential new base and/or overlay districts

• Simplify the conditional district rezoning process

• Be consistent with City of Raleigh Public Utility Standards

• Revise or add graphics and charts that clearly illustrate the intent of the UDO

Jones Sausage Road Construction Under Way

A big part of the Amazon fulfillment center project on Jones Sausage Road is road improvements at the I-40 interchange, in front of the Amazon facility and at the intersection of Jones Sausage and East Garner Roads. Roadwork has begun and will continue for several months. Motorists should expect delays and avoid Jones Sausage north of East Garner Road when possible.

Bus Rapid Transit is coming! What is Bus Rapid Transit? Find out March 3rd.

Garner to Connect to Wake Bus Rapid Transit

The Southern Corridor of the Wake Bus Rapid Transit Plan will connect Garner to improved public transport as one of four new routes that will radiate out of downtown Raleigh.

Transit planners from Garner and Raleigh outlined six possible routes for the Southern Corridor, projected to be chosen by this summer, at the Town Council Meeting on Feb 18. The routes all extend to Garner Station Blvd. and Wal-mart on Fayetteville Rd.

Bus Rapid Transit differs from regular bus service, using a dedicated bus lane and allowing for more efficiency. Stations at intersections, rather than traditional bus stops, have raised platforms that align with the buses for better accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers and ticket vending machines allow for prepaying bus fares.

The Wake BRT will provide service every ten minutes during peak hours, and every 20 minutes on the weekend, with longer service from 4 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 5:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekends. 

Transit planners will work with elected officials and go through a public comment process to identify a preferred route.

The public is invited to get information and give feedback at The Wake BRT: Southern Corridor Kickoff Meeting on March 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Garner Senior Center.

Considerations for evaluating routes are traffic volume, potential bike and pedestrian connections, needs for additional right of way for stations, potential ridership, construction costs, implementation timeline, economic development opportunities, and public feedback.

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Garner Parks and Recreation & Cultural Resources Unveils Ten Year Comprehensive Plan

The Town of Garner unanimously approved the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department’s Comprehensive Plan in January.

The plan outlines the department’s priorities for the next ten years and is a culmination of nearly two years of study which involved community input through focus groups and surveys.

“It’s been about a two year process from start to finish,” said Sonya Shaw, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, in remarks at the Town Council meeting on January 21.

The department will build between 33 – 42 miles of greenway in accordance with the Greenway Network Plan and two new parks, being referred to as Meadowbrook and Yeargan. Long term goals include nearly 100 miles of greenway in total, acquiring land for a third new park and working towards a second indoor recreation center.

“I think it’s always important for us to really see our comprehensive plan as a community plan. It’s certainly one that involved a number of community agencies and groups. Roughly about 35 different community groups have been involved in this process,” Shaw said.

The plan also outlines the need for increasing programs focusing on health and wellness and cultural resources, particularly serving the teenaged and senior populations, and addresses staffing needs, funding needs and maintenance.

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U.S. 70 Ramp onto I-40 Westbound to Close Permanently

Here is some important information from NCDOT.

The eastbound U.S. 70 loop onto I-40 westbound in Garner (near White Oak shopping center) will be closing on Sunday night, sometime Nov. 3 or into the morning of Nov. 4, permanently.

The detour route (see image below) will be to continue eastbound to Greenfield Parkway and turn around back to U.S. 70 west to take the ramp onto I-40 westbound.

NCDOT says a new permanent traffic pattern will be complete by Jan. 1, 2020. It will provide a signalized intersection for a left-turn movement from U.S. 70 east onto the ramp for I-40 westbound.

Via the Town of Garner.