Garner council approves commercial mixed‑use rezoning at Benson Road and Evolve Drive

The Town Council unanimously approved a Tier 2 conditional rezoning (CZMP25002) on Feb. 17 to allow a commercial mixed‑use development at the southeast corner of Benson Road (NC 50) and Evolve Drive.

Senior planner Julian Griffey described the site plan for roughly 5.76 acres, noting two commercial buildings (a convenience store with a fuel canopy and a secondary commercial structure), three points of vehicular access (including a right‑in/right‑out on NC 50 and a full‑movement at the Evolve Drive bulb), and stormwater controls including an underground stormwater control measure. The applicant proffered a greenway easement and a bus shelter at the bulb out, and agreed to a minimum 5,000‑square‑foot dog park after planning commission input.

Traffic analysis submitted by the applicant was reviewed by NCDOT; the planner told council most weekday trips were expected to be pass‑by traffic. Council members asked about tree protection and buffering; applicant representative Sarah Van Every said a tree survey had been completed and that the design team will protect qualifying trees during site‑plan review.

Council member Matthews moved and Mr. Vance seconded the motion to accept the planning commission’s consistency statement and adopt ordinance number 20265377 approving CZMP25002. The council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.