HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93010_0097Family District; and CU -NB, Conditional Use -Neighborhood Business District. The property
is located in the Hwy 70 east area—Bell Farm Road to Buckbee Road.) Chairman Tice
requested that all audience members desiring to speak, either for or against the requests, to come
forward for the purpose of being sworn in prior to giving comments.
County Planner Hobbs said the proposed use was for a planned, unit site built, housing
complex with mixed use, along with attached single-family housing and multi -family housing. The
pin numbers for the 267 acres are: 4763-57-2856, 4773-17-0666, 4763-57-1788, 4763-57-1700,
4763-57-0613, 4773-47-8565, 4763-57-5313, and a portion of 4763-78-1033. Existing land use is
vacant farmland. The surrounding land use is residential, industrial, vacant, and the City of
Statesville has a sewer treatment plant in the vicinity. Hobbs said the property was in both
residential and industrial nodes as identified by the county's land development plan. The industrial
use of the land has been compromised because Norfork Southern Railway will not allow grade
crossing improvements at John Long Road to allow tractor trailer rigs to use the only access
available to the property. The planned, unit -development rezoning, allows the developer flexibility
of mixed uses and clustering densities, which are offset with higher requirements for recreational
open space. Hobbs said this type of strategy helped to reduce suburban sprawl and provided the
housing market with a wide range of house prices and life-style options. The proposed development
provides shopping sites, parks and playgrounds, and land for a school. The pedestrian design of
the neighborhood reduces the reliance on cars and provides easier access to services and a safer
neighborhood for the young and elderly. On April 5, 2000, the planning board recommended
approval in an 8-1 vote.
Commissioner Bowles asked Mr. Hobbs what other uses could occur on the property under
the present rezoning.
Hobbs said that with the loss of the flexibility in terms of industrial development, and under
the current RA zoning, that "by right" the owners could build 500 houses- - consisting of both single
wide mobile homes and stick built. He said that any other type of development would probably be
limited, due to the access problems to U.S. 70.
Commissioner Stewart asked the school officials in attendance, what was the smallest tract
of land that could be used for an elementary and middle school.
After being sworn in, Dr. Buddy Coleman, Supt. of the Iredell-Statesville School System.
said a minimum of 18 acres was needed for an elementary school and for a middle school it would
be a minimum of 25 acres with 30 being preferable, due to the athletics.
Ham Tsumas, who was sworn in earlier, said he had been working with Brian Jenest, a
planner for over a year on the project.
Brian Jenest, who also was sworn in at the beginning of the public hearing, said he was
affiliated with Cole Jenest & Stone, PA, and he was a landscape architect and planner from
Davidson, N.C. He said that initially, the site was reviewed for a manufactured -housing
development. Jenest said the acreage would have allowed 534 homes. Later, the option of
developing the land with variety and diversity was discussed. Jenest said the development being
proposed was classified as a "TND" or a tradional neighborhood development. He said this
neighborhood called for single-family attached, single-family detached, residential and non-
residential uses. In addition, the plans call for a community center or swim club, a day-care center
and a series of neighborhood shops (dry cleaner, etc.). The proposed development will be pedestrian
oriented and have curb and guttering. Jenest also said that land had been set aside for a school.
He said green space would be included, and that houses fronting this type of space were more
valuable.
Commissioner Bowles asked who would maintain the green spaces.
Jenest said there would be a homeowners association. He said there would be restrictive
covenants in the property deeds. Mr. Jenest said the homes would range in price from $100,000 to