Wendell News Outlet

In last night’s interview (10/5/07) on Channel 17, where the discussion centered on the Pepper Pointe controversy, Wendell Commissioner Ronald Thompson said "In any small town, everybody doesn't want growth. But you've got to uh, it's coming whether we want it or not". Yes commissioner I agree, it is coming, in waves.

During this same interview, the commissioner also said "You're not gonna get commercial if you don't have housetops. So you gotta have housetops to try to entice business to come in." Again commissioner, we have agreement in principal, but perhaps not in substance.

The following comments are not about the homes in Pepper Pointe, as that was a giant step in the right direction; it was the right development at the right time. No, my concern is that maybe Pepper Pointe has established a monetary criterion for new housing developments in the town instead of being just the beginning of an upward trend in home prices.

We need housetops, but what’s under those housetops is what really counts. Another 1500 housetops built over inexpensive homes, jammed together on small lots, is not going to entice businesses to come to Wendell, at least not the kind of business’ the town wants and needs. Do we really think an upscale restaurant or boutique will be enticed to move to Wendell where the average families’ discretionary income is unable support that type of business? Of course not, business people need to be where customers have the financial ability to buy their products.

In general, people who buy more expensive homes have more discretionary income (but not always). More discretionary income begets more upscale businesses which help to enhance the perception of the town; generates more sales tax revenues which in turn allow for more improvements and services to the town which....well enough said I’m sure you see the point I am trying to make.

In my opinion, the Town of Wendell needs to upscale its housing. We currently have a sufficient amount of inexpensive housing on small plots and now, in order to create the diversity in housing we all want, we need many more expensive houses built on larger plots. Some may question the need for larger plots, but look around Wake County, see how many expensive homes are built on small plots. Perhaps within Raleigh, where the land prices have skyrocketed, you may see expensive homes on small plots, but that is the exception. More expensive homes on larger plots, as will be developed in many parts of Wendell Falls, is the way the town should be heading.

Perhaps I misunderstood the commissioner’s comment that “you gotta have housetops” meant housetops on any size or priced housing. If so, and if he was referring to more expensive housing, he has my full support.