The proposal calls for development of 36 lots on a 23.26-acre tract at Seven Lakes West. The site is south of the intersections of Longleaf Drive and Callis and Dennis circles.
Elizabeth Whitmore, a member of the planning staff, told the board that the plan does not call for building on two other lots included in the original plan. These lots, numbered 37 and 38 and encompassing 1.84 acres, are not included in calculating the 12 percent built-upon area required by the watershed ordinance.
The developer plans to use the cluster design concept and will convey 11.72 acres to the homeowners association as “open space,” Whitmore said.
Mary Ann Fewkes, a resident of Seven Lakes West, told the board that she and neighbors have concerns about the proposed density of the development.
“Many homeowners are very concerned,” she said.
Fewkes was the only opponent to speak after the Planning Board opened the meeting to the public.
Surveyor Ronnie Graham was available to answer questions but did not make a presentation on behalf of the developers.
Board Chairman Jimmy Melton said the application appears to meet all requirements of the county subdivision ordinance and recommended that the board follow the staff recommendation for approval.
No objections were raised, but board member Harry Huberth asked Whitmore to read the conditions recommended by the staff.
These conditions include submission of a landscape plan, a maintenance agreement addressing ownership of private roads, and a tracking chart of the impervious area for each lot.
Although the roads will be private, the applicant submitted a letter saying that the proposed roads and storm drainage would be designed to N.C. Department of Transportation standards. However, the letter does not address ownership or maintenance issues, and this requirement was built into the conditions attached to the plan.
The Village Gateway application was brought to the board in April, but action was not taken at that time because some documentation was lacking.
Among the needs at that time was a letter from the Land Quality Section of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources documenting approval of the erosion control plan.
Ron Jackson, the newest member of the board, made the motion to approve the plan, and Tony Chriscoe made the second.
At the recommendation of Planning Director Richard Smith, Jackson and Chriscoe agreed to amend the motion to require the developer to bring the plan back before the planning board if plans are ever made to develop the two remaining lots in the tract.
At the beginning of the meeting, the oath of office was administered to Jackson and to two holdover members, Huberth and Terry Bryant. Carol T. Thomas, clerk to the board of commissioners, administered the oath.
Jackson was recently appointed to replace Frank Maser, who told the commissioners that he did not wish to serve another term.
Huberth and Bryant were reappointed.
