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Annexation Plan Under Scrutiny In Wendell

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WENDELL, N.C. — Another battle is brewing over annexation in Wake County -- this time it is in the town of Wendell, where town leaders want to annex an area of land west of the town.

Monday night, leaders were set to get the town's input, but the town council postponed a public hearing at the last minute.

The annexation would put Wendell closer to the new Highway 64 bypass. When construction is complete, the bypass is expected to spawn an outbreak of development.

"Development is coming whether we like it or not," said Teresa Piner, of the Town of Wendell.

Town planners want more control over that growth and said the best way to get it is to annex land west of town. More than 200 pieces of property and about 700 county residents would become part of Wendell.

Most residents who live in the area are opposed to annexation.

"I'm not thrilled," resident Mary Beal said. "I don't see the benefit, I just see a tax increase. It's going to add $500 to my taxes."

Resident Candace Heath agrees.

"I can't afford to pay more taxes. I'm a single mom and I'm living paycheck to paycheck, so this is not in my best interest," she said.

Supporters said the annexation would offer residents some services that are not available to them now.

Critics of the plan said the town does not have the resources to support that many new residents.

Last month, the town of Cary rescinded annexation plans after a flood of complaints from homeowners. Cary had plans to develop an area between the town and Holly Springs.

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