The 61.59-acre tract is on Winford Road off N.C. 705 between Eagle Springs and Robbins. The developer plans 19 lots ranging in size from 1.77 acres to 6.37 acres, with typical lots of two or three acres.
Ben Warren, a planner with the Moore County Planning Department, recommended approval of the preliminary plat after an analysis of the proposed development, including site suitability, water and sewer, recreation and open space, zoning requirements, access, street design, drainage, buffering and wetlands.
However, Warren based his recommendation on 10 conditions. During discussion of the development, board members added a couple of conditions of their own.
Issues raised by the board focused on driveway access to Winford Road and on assurance that each lot is guaranteed suitable for a septic system before it is sold.
Marcus Jones made the motion to approve the plat subject to the 10 staff conditions and the two conditions added by board members. Approval was unanimous.
Because of the rural location, the subdivision lacks access to public water or sewer lines. It is within the proposed North West Moore Water District and could eventually be able to hook up with the county water system.
In the meantime, James Shackleton, who is an environmental public health specialist, said he would be more comfortable if the developer could supply potential buyers with certification that the lots will “perk” for a septic tank. This would eliminate the possibility that someone might buy a lot, then learn that the soil will not accommodate a septic system.
Jones, who is an engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation, expressed concern that several lots will share one driveway for access onto Winford Road. Fellow board members John Hawthorne and Fred Whitesell raised similar concerns.
Jones said NCDOT compromised on issuance of the driveway permit because it is a dead end unpaved road.
“In my opinion, the road ought to be a public road because of the number of homes,” Jones said.
Jones said NCDOT is not all that much concerned about paving but is concerned about assurance that the road will be properly maintained after the subdivision is occupied.
One of the staff’s recommendations calls for establishment of a homeowners’ association, which would be responsible for overseeing road maintenance.
The developer is also required to provide payment if at least 1.54 acres are not designated for recreation space. The developer must also secure a waiver on the paving requirement before proceeding with work on the subdivision.
The Tuesday meeting marked Steadman Meares’ last session as a board member. He has been serving as chairman in recent months.
It is expected that Carlton Cole, assistant county fire marshal, will be appointed to fill the Emergency Services slot on the board after Meares’ departure. Meares is the county’s director of emergency management.
The board will elect new officers at a future meeting.
