BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

The Statesville City Council on Monday approved the first reading of a rezoning request for a townhome development planned for James Farm Road at Jane Sowers Road.

Council approved the request to rezone 16 acres from Iredell County’s R-8 to a city R-5MF by a 6-1 vote with Councilman C.O. Johnson casting the lone no vote. Councilwoman Amy Lawton was not present at the meeting.

Some council members and one resident of the neighborhood expressed concerns about the increased traffic the development will bring to the area.

Assistant Planning Director Herman Caulder explained that the estimated 104 townhomes planned for The Oaks is less dense than what is allowed under the requested zoning change. The zoning new designation allows up to 195 units.

One of the conditions of the rezoning is for the developer to conduct a traffic impact analysis and comply with those recommendations.

Chris LaMack of Elevation Real Estate Group said the development will be accessible from Jane Sowers and James Farm roads. Representatives of the developer have met with community members to discuss traffic concerns, he said.

An effort is underway to request the N.C. Department of Transportation to lower the 45 mph speed limit along James Farm Road, LaMack said. A petition has been created and community members are being encouraged to get involved in the effort, he added.

Resident Lydia Mayberry described James Farm Road as a race track.

“You wouldn’t believe the number of cars and motorcycles that race down that road,” she said.

Mayberry said she is concerned with the impact of the addition of more than 200 cars — based on 104 units — on traffic in the area, which includes Cloverleaf Elementary School.

Council members Doris Allison, Kim Wasson, Lisa Pearson and Steve Johnson also expressed the need to address the safety concerns before the development is built.

“Safety is first,” Allison said.

LaMack assured council that the traffic recommendations will be addressed.

The second reading of the rezoning request will be heard at a future meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business:

♦ The Council also approved a first reading for a change in a proposed development on River Hill Road near Mocksville Highway.

Robert Bowman of Bowman LLC said the request is to remove 94 townhomes from development and replace them with 57 single-family residences.

Under the proposed change, Caulder said, the development still meets the guidelines of a planned unit development since it will include cottage homes, single-family residences and retail.

Bowman explained the change is being requested due to a decline regionally in the sales of townhomes. The land has been purchased, he said, but a developer for the property has not been selected. A downturn in the sales of townhomes is a factor.

Bowman said he’s not ruling out including townhomes if the market changes. “This gives me more flexibility,” he said.

Councilwoman Kim Wasson said she was concerned with the removal of the townhomes. The townhomes, she said, represent an opportunity for affordable housing.

“Try to get those townhomes in it,” she said.

Council approved the first reading with C.O. Johnson again casting the lone dissenting vote.

♦ Council also approved plans to charge a permit fee for solicitors. Police Chief David Onley said with the summer comes an increase in door-to-door soliciting. And that brings more complaints from residents, he said.

“They seem to be getting more and more aggressive,’ he said of the solicitors.

Onley said research from towns throughout the state indicate a fee schedule of between $15 and $100. Mooresville, he said, charges $100.

Onley recommended a permit fee of $50 which, depending on the number of requests, will help cover the cost for about $5,000 worth of equipment needed to make badges and to conduct the necessary background checks.

The fee does not apply to charitable organizations.

♦ Council also approved the first reading of a text amendment to allow drinking establishments in the central business district zone.

Currently, said planner Matt Kirkendall, businesses that serve food are allowed to sell alcohol, and this amendment would allow some businesses to sell alcohol on a secondary basis.

Downtown Business & Development Manager Matthew Pierce said the change is an economic development tool that will encourage businesses whose primary sales are not food-related to move into the district.

He said it would also keep current businesses in the downtown district.

Mayor Costi Kutteh said the change will mean businesses will still have to apply for and obtain an alcohol license from the state.

♦ City Manager Ron Smith gave council an update on the sinkhole that has closed the intersection of Tradd and Front streets for months. Crews ran into additional issues in the repair process and the planned completion timeframe of late July is not possible.

“It will push it to the middle of August,” he said.