Wendell News Outlet

Yesterday, Mrs. Piner, Planning Director of the Wendell Planning Department, called me with more good news. Upon hearing of the recent fire in Rolesville, Mrs. Piner took immediate steps to protect the future citizens of Wendell. Apparently the fire in Rolesville caused the siding on the adjoining house to start to melt due to the heat and close proximately of the homes; within 10 feet of each other. Contacting Mercury Development, the developers of Wendell Falls, she questioned the impending use of vinyl, plastic or aluminum siding on houses to be built in that development. After further discussion, Mercury Development agreed that the minimum siding on any house to be built in Wendell Falls would have to be Hardie-Plank, which is non-combustible fiber-cement product.

Although the optimum conclusion to this situation would be to have the houses built on larger lots and further apart, at least someone had the presence of mind to step up to the plate and act. Thanks to the Wendell Planning Department for their pro-active stance in this situation. Good job, well done!

Mrs. Piner also told me that Pulte Homes, which was originally going to build all the homes in Wendell Falls, is now going to have other builders involved. This means we will get a more diverse selection of home styles and prices. Maybe Wendell Falls, which started out as an ugly duckling will turn into a beautiful swan we can all be proud of.

On another issue; in my estimation the Wendell Planning Dept. is seriously understaffed. There are three members of this unit handling a dozen current sub-divisions; a new hospital and a potential new airport. In addition they attend meeting after meeting, both during the day and in the evenings, as well as researching materials for the Planning Board and the Town Commissioners. When asked, Mrs. Piner declined to comment on whether or not her staffing was adequate, but just the obvious sheer volume of their workload says it all.