Citizens speak out on proposed Wallace annexation; New WPD officer sworn in

Numerous residents of a community near the Pender County line packed Wallace’s town hall on Thursday night, Jan. 11, to participate in a public hearing on the proposed voluntary annexation of 150 acres along US Hwy. 117.

Ann Autry spoke first during the public hearing, saying she wanted to get more information on the rezoning and annexation. “How can Wallace take from Pender County?” she asked. “I don’t understand how all this works.”

Planning director Rod Fritz explained that the N.C. general statute allows for land to be annexed within three miles of the town limits, and added that the town doesn’t yet know what the 150 acres will be used for, or what type of rezoning applicants Keith Spalding-Robbins and Tony Davis will request. “It’s an opportunity for economic development for the town of Wallace,” Fritz said. “I’m sure it’s going to be, if history is anything to go by, a mix of housing and retail, but as far as what zoning will be or how many houses, we can’t discuss that. However, it will be discussed in public hearings in the next couple of months.”

Those who spoke during the public hearing were not in favor of the annexation, it’s safe to say.

“I moved out there because of basically, the scenery,” said resident Lawrence Sawyer. “I walk out now, all I hear is the birds, the crickets, a few cars every now and then. I’m not against change. I just want y’all to realize you’re affecting … how we live right now. I just don’t want it to be turned into a suburban area. That’s not what it should be.”

Marcella Davis agreed. “We’ve got a peaceful little community,” she said. “[With] retail and houses, it won’t be peaceful anymore. I’m not against development, but be considerate of the people that live there.”

After the public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve the annexation ordinance. “This vote is only to consider annexation of the land,” Mayor Jason Wells pointed out. “As Rod stated earlier, when we get past the annexation, we can get into the details when we have other public hearings on what the project could look like. I think it’s also important to note that this project could potentially happen, whether it’s part of the town of Wallace or not.”

In other business at the Jan. 11 Wallace Town Council meeting:

• Mayor Wells swore in a new police officer, Noah Locklear, who was born and raised in Pembroke. After earning his BLET certificate from Sandhills Community College, Locklear began working with the Fayetteville Police Department, before relocating to Duplin County.
• Duplin County Economic Development director Scotty Summerlin made a presentation to the council, sharing details on a strategic plan for economic development that he said he’ll be sharing with county commissioners in February.
• ABC board chairperson Chad Wilson presented the board with a check, and explained that the new store “is knocking down its debt” and should be paid for within 10 years.
• The council unanimously approved a Jake brake ordinance, prohibiting the use of “unmuffled engine braking” within town limits. Signs will be posted at the town limits to ensure that tractor trailer drivers are aware of the new ordinance. The police department will enforce the new ordinance and will issue citations to violators.
• A public hearing was scheduled for the annexation of 33 acres at 4027 S. NC 11 Hwy. The hearing will be held at the Feb. 8 meeting of the town council.
• The Wallace Depot Commission’s lease of the depot property was renewed for one more year, ending in January 2025.
• A public hearing was scheduled for Feb. 8 to consider the rezoning of .4 acres of property on Old Highway 41, behind the Walgreen’s. The requested rezoning is from R6-MH to HB, highly business. Fritz said the applicant plans to put a drive-thru restaurant on the property.
• A third public hearing for the Feb. 8 meeting was scheduled, this one to consider a rezoning request for 8 acres on Highway 11 to be rezoned from residential to highway business.
• Council members Frank Brinkley and Penny Thorne were appointed to serve on the town’s budget committee.
• The council created a capital project ordinance for $5 million that the airport recently received in state funding, per Town Manager Rob Taylor. The $5 million is part of a total $10 million that will go toward construction of a new terminal and other improvements.
• Councilman Jason Davis proposed that the town consider moving its meetings to the Wallace Women’s Club, where the December meeting was held.
• The council agreed to continue the meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 at town hall.