Fuquay-Varina (NC) Commissioners Meeting Recap: Downtown Rezoning, Library Park Debate, and Police Honors
Board addresses downtown land use, park planning, and recreation demand while honoring a retiring police K-9 and youth law-enforcement program.
Fuquay-Varina, Mar. 13, 2026 — Downtown development, future park planning, and community recognitions were among the highlights of the Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners meeting on March 9th.
The meeting included a mix of policy decisions and ceremonial recognitions, such as the retirement of one of the town’s police K-9s, recognition of local youth law-enforcement participants, and several discussions related to parks and downtown planning.
Taken together, the agenda offered a snapshot of how Fuquay-Varina is balancing rapid growth with community amenities and long-term planning.
Downtown Rezoning Approved for Food Pantry Property
Commissioners approved a rezoning request affecting about 1.0 acres at 220 W. Academy Street, a parcel associated with the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry.
The board voted to change the property’s zoning from Downtown Center-1 (DC-1) to Office and Institutional Conditional Zoning (O&I-CZD), a designation intended to support institutional and civic uses.
Planning staff said the request aligns with the town’s 2040 Community Vision Land Use Plan, which encourages redevelopment and infill projects within existing town limits and promotes growth in the downtown district.
The property sits along W. Academy Street near the railroad and is currently mostly wooded, though a portion of the site is already used for parking and a drive-through connected to the food pantry’s operations.
Town planners said the rezoning would allow institutional uses such as nonprofit facilities, schools, or medical offices while maintaining compatibility with surrounding downtown development.
The Planning Board reviewed the request earlier this year and unanimously recommended approval before forwarding the proposal to commissioners.
Several conditions were also included with the rezoning to prohibit certain uses on the property, including parking decks, recycling centers, and wastewater treatment facilities.
Library Park Decision Delayed
Commissioners also discussed the future of Library Park, a small downtown green space that town leaders have been considering for improvements.
Town staff presented a proposal that could significantly upgrade the park with new amenities while incorporating a potential Armed Services Memorial honoring military veterans.
The town has already set aside $1 million for design and planning, with approximately $214,000 spent so far developing the concept.
Construction of the project could require an additional $1.2 million, according to estimates presented during the meeting.
However, several commissioners said they were not yet ready to commit to the full project.
“I think we want something there,” one commissioner said during the discussion. “But I don’t think we are right now ready to decide fully what needs to go there.”
Town Manager Adam Mitchell told the board that the Library Park proposal was originally developed before the town finalized its broader downtown planning strategy.
“Library Park came forward as a concept from management and staff while the downtown generational plan was still under development,” Mitchell said.
Since then, the town has begun evaluating the possibility of creating a larger downtown park at Piney Woods Park, which could serve as a more significant gathering space.
Mitchell also noted that upcoming redevelopment projects could temporarily close nearby Centennial Park, forcing the town to find a new location for its popular “Follow Me to Fuquay” concert series.
Commissioners ultimately agreed to delay a decision on Library Park while they evaluate how it fits into the town’s broader downtown park strategy.
South Park Community Center Renovation Moves Forward
Another parks-related item involved the South Park Community Center, where commissioners approved a conceptual design that will guide future renovations.
Town staff worked with an architectural firm to develop two potential design concepts for the facility located at 820 South Main Street.
Public feedback strongly favored one option.
According to town survey results, about 74 percent of respondents supported Concept 2, which includes improvements such as:
A redesigned building entrance
Expanded fitness areas
Better acoustic design
Additional recreation and programming space
Both the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board and the Fuquay-Varina Teen Council Executive Board unanimously recommended the same concept.
Commissioners agreed and approved the design, allowing staff to move forward with detailed architectural plans.
The town has already allocated $200,000 in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for design work, with about $44,900 spent so far.
Construction funding for the project is expected to be considered during the FY 2027 budget process.
Police K-9 Dash Retires
The meeting also included a ceremony recognizing the retirement of K-9 Dash, a German shepherd who served with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department for more than eight years.
Dash was the department’s first police K-9, helping establish the town’s K-9 program when it launched in 2017.
During his career, Dash:
Responded to more than 360 incidents
Completed over 940 hours of training
Assisted other agencies on more than 30 calls
Participated in dozens of community demonstrations
Corporal Matthew Jeslis, Dash’s handler, told commissioners that the presence of a K-9 often prevents dangerous situations before they escalate.
“But then they see that car with a K-9 sticker on it, or they hear that K-9 bark from the back seat, and they change their mind,” Jeslis said. “They say, I’m not going to take my chance tonight… and to me and my family that means the world. It’s worth its weight in gold.”
Commissioners approved a resolution transferring Dash to Jeslis for $1, a symbolic fee allowed under North Carolina law for retired police service animals.
Dash will now live with Jeslis and his family in retirement.
Police Explorers Recognized for National Competition
Commissioners also recognized members of the Fuquay-Varina Police Department’s Law Enforcement Explorer program for their performance at a national competition earlier this year.
The team traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to compete in the Winterfest Competition, where Explorer programs from across the country participate in simulated law-enforcement scenarios and physical challenges.
Fuquay-Varina participants earned strong results, finishing second in both Accident Investigation and Crisis Negotiations.
The program provides training and leadership experience for young people interested in law enforcement careers.
Police officials said the Explorer program has also served as a recruiting pipeline for the department.
According to the department, seven current Fuquay-Varina police officers previously participated in the Explorer program before joining the force.
Recreation Programs Filling Quickly
Town Manager Adam Mitchell also provided updates on community programs and upcoming events.
One statistic stood out.
Registration for the town’s summer recreation camps opened February 21, and all nine weeks of camp at both the South Park Community Center and Hilltop Needmore Town Park Community Center filled in less than two hours.
The programs will serve 648 participants, with some families reportedly lining up hours before registration opened to secure spots.
Commissioners joked about the demand.
“It’s like Christmas shopping,” one commissioner said.
Mitchell also highlighted recent programming successes, including a statewide Teen Council leadership conference hosted in Fuquay-Varina that brought together nearly 100 students from communities across North Carolina.
What’s Next
The Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners will revisit several items discussed during the meeting in the upcoming months.
Key issues expected to return to the board include:
Future funding decisions for the South Park Community Center renovation
Continued evaluation of the Library Park proposal
Additional planning tied to downtown parks and redevelopment
Town officials are also preparing for several community events scheduled later this month, including the Easter Egg Hunt at Fleming Loop Park and the Downtown Candy Hop on March 28th.