Public hearing resumes Tues. on N.C. 73 zoning

Email This Post

Public hearing resumes Tues. on N.C. 73 zoning

Posted on 07 March 2011.

Also Tuesday, board seeks comment and plans vote on new fence standards

Davidson’s Town Board will resume a public hearing Tuesday, March 8, on proposed changes in the town planning ordinance and planning maps that would include a rezoning of the former Davidson East site on N.C. 73. The town said the proposals have been revised since the February meeting.

A second public hearing is also planned at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, on a proposed changes in the planning ordinance section on fence. And the board plans a discussion of drive-through windows at commercial developments.

N.C. 73 ISSUE

The board began a hearing Feb. 8 on the changes, which town officials have proposed in hopes of spurring development of the former Davidson East site. The new rules would make it easier for developers to propose corporate and industrial parks in the area.

Developer Frank Jacobus won approval in 2007 for a mixed-use project of shops, offices and nearly 500 residences on the 180-acre site. But that project failed, and the property now is owned by Community One Bank of Asheboro, which foreclosed in December 2009.

Town officials have said that making the site more attractive for a corporate or industrial park is in keeping with the town’s goals of boosting economic development and job growth. The ordinance changes were recommended in part in a site-readiness study prepared with the help of Duke Energy a year ago.

At last month’s meeting, Davidson lawyer Susan Irvin spoke on behalf of the bank, complaining that the rezoning proposal came as a surprise to her clients. She had asked the board to continue the hearing until May.

Meanwhile, other speakers on Feb. 8 wondered whether a corporate or industrial park was in keeping with the town’s goals as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan adopted last year.

The map amendments would delete the N.C. 73 Planning Area and revise the boundaries and text descriptions of the ordinance’s Employment Campus, Neighborhood Center, Neighborhood General and Neighborhood Edge planning areas.

Planning Manager Lauren Blackburn said in February that the proposed changes to the ordinance would “strategically align the town’s zoning policies with its economic development goals as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan. But, she added, they will also expand options for developers struggling to survive in a difficult economy.”

Town officials said they’ve revised the planning text amendments. (The map is unchanged.)

NEW FENCE STANDARDS PROPOSED

Also Tuesday, the board will take up a proposed amendment to the planning ordinance governing residential fences. A public hearing will be held, followed by a vote later in the meeting.

The revised rules add language that says “Fencing and or/walls are strongly discouraged” in front of homes.

If homeowners decide to erect fences, it sets various standards for them, including a 4-foot maximum height for fencing and a 3-foot maximum for walls. Chain link, plywood, particle board, plastic mesh, sheet metal, concrete block and wire fences would be banned. And at least 50 percent of the fence area must be open.

The board last discussed fences in spring 2008, after a controversy over a homeowner’s fence on Concord Road. (See related links below.)

RELATED DOCUMENTS AND LINKS

March 2, 2011, Town of Davidson press release announcing continuation of public hearing, and the additional public hearing on fences.

Download information sheet on proposed changes in fence rules (PDF).

Download the section of the planning ordinance on fences. (PDF)

Jan. 28, 2011, Town of Davidson press release announcing public hearing.

Current planning areas map. (PDF)

Planning areas map showing proposed amendments. (PDF)

Drafts of ordinance amendments :