BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
The Statesville City Council on Monday approved plans for a new townhome development on property located in South Statesville.
The 14-unit development will be built at the corner of Caldwell Street, Winston Avenue and South Meeting Street.
The townhomes, which will be priced in the mid-200s, were approved after an evidentiary hearing for a special use permit. The special use permit allowed the developer, Hedley Homes, to apply directly to City Council rather than seeking a conditional-use permit, which would have required the project be presented to the Planning Board and then the council.
Attorney Lisa Valdez, representing Hedley Homes, said this procedure was allowed within the city’s protocols. Rezoning was not an issue in this request.
Darbah Skaf, director of the Statesville Housing Authority, which owns much of the property in the general vicinity of the development, said building the townhomes would be a detriment to future economic development in the area.
The design of the townhouses, some of which will have garages that front the street and do not include grass yards, will not fit in with the neighborhood, Skaf said.
“Under the 2045 plan (land use plan adopted in 2022) will make it difficult for land owners ourselves to bring in other investors,” she said.
Due to the quasi-judicial nature of the hearing, City Attorney Leah Gaines Messick explained, opposition to the development is limited to certain criteria, including whether it would cause harm to the community.
Skaf said the impact on future development would be harmful.
Valdez disputed that contention and Michael Berkowitz, an appraiser, said his analysis is that it would not have a detrimental effect on property values in the area.
Another issue of concern, Skaf said, was the lack of involvement of the residents in the area.
City Planner Joseph Campbell said signs were placed in the area on December 23. Because of the special use permit process, a public hearing was not required.
Council member Doris Allison said she would like to see more opportunities for the public to have input on this project.
Mayor Doug Hendrix said the process was followed correctly.
Messick told the council that their duty was to determine findings of fact related to whether the conditions for special use permit are met, and council was obligated, under law, to approve it regardless of whether they disagreed with the process.
Valdez said the discussion had deviated to the need for front yards of grass or rear-loading garages.
“Maybe people don’t want a front yard to mow,” she said.
She told council that the development does meet the criteria under the special use permit process.
After the hearing was closed, council member Trey Robertson made a motion to approve the request, and the motion was approved unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ Council delayed taking up a revised pavement schedule to align local requirements with the state’s standards. Council member James Pressly asked that the item be tabled until the February 2 meeting due to a proposed inspection fee. He said he wanted the additional time to study the matter.
♦ As part of the consent agenda, which is passed in one motion unless a council member asks for an item to be removed for further discussion, council approved the following:
♦ The second reading of a rezoning request from heavy industrial to high density single family residential on Bond Street.
♦ A resolution of intent to permanently close a portion of unopened Henry Street between South Center Street and Shelton Avenue. A public hearing will be held on February 16.
♦ A six-month contract for Messick to serve as the city attorney.