BY DONNA SWICEGOOD

Two apartment complexes, aimed at addressing low-income housing needs, were given the initial approval by the Statesville City Council on Monday.

The first readings of rezoning requests for a 74-unit apartment complex Buffalo Shoals Road at Garner Bagnal Boulevard and a 72-unit complex on James Farm Road near Turnersburg Highway were approved. A final vote for both projects will be scheduled for an upcoming meeting. These are generally part of the consent agenda, which is approved with one motion without discussion unless a council member requests an item be removed for further discussion.

The complex on Buffalo Shoals was approved following a public hearing in which no one voiced opposition.

The second request did meet with opposition from some neighbors on James Farm Road. That opposition prompted a new requirement that the developer complete a traffic impact analysis and comply with any recommendations of the TIA.

Both of the complexes are being built as part of a low-income housing credit program.

The first is called Killington Reserve Apartments. Craig Stone, who is part of the development team, said the project represents a $16 million to $17 million investment and will consist of one-, two- and-three bedroom units.

“What it allows us to do is service folks that are the workforce of the community,” he said.

Council member TIp Nicholson asked if the intersection of Buffalo Shoals Road and Garner Bagnal Boulevard could be improved to include a left-turn lane. Improvements to the intersection would be up to the N.C. Department of Transportation. Stone said the developer is willing to work with that agency concerning improvements.

The second complex, called Ochre Hill Apartments, was the source of opposition.

Lydia Mayberry, who lives off James Farm Road, said she is concerned about the amount of traffic currently utilizing the road and that the complex will mean more cars.

“We live on a race track,” she said.

She asked if the city could ask the state to lower the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph.

Kelly Standish also voiced concerns about the traffic in the area. It can take 30 to 45 minutes to drive from his home to Cloverleaf Elementary School, where his child is a student, Standish said. He also said he was worried about the effect these units would have on property values.

“I don’t see how this is a positive change,” he said.

Although neither of the two complexes presented Monday meet the requirement for a TIA, council did approve the second with the condition of a TIA being completed.

Council member Doris Allison said she wanted to see that condition as part of the approval process.

Council member David Jones, who made the initial motion to approve the request, said he didn’t feel one is necessary because a TIA was completed for that area involving another project some two years ago.

“We just did one,” he said.

Following more discussion, Jones amended his motion to include the TIA condition.

City Manager Ron Smith reminded council members that adding the TIA condition only meant the developer had to comply with recommendations. The results of that analysis will not come back to city council for approval, he said.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business:

♦ The council approved first readings of two requests by code enforcement to demolish houses at 409 Monroe Street and 1115 Old Charlotte Road. Lesley Marion, the city’s minimum housing and code compliance supervisor, said both homes are abandoned, dilapidated and pose unsafe and dangerous conditions.

♦ The city manager presented a report on several ongoing projects:

• The parking deck that is part of the renovation of the Statesville Police Department facility at Tradd and Front streets is nearing completion with opening expected in mid-summer. The intersection at Tradd and Front streets, which has been closed for several months due to the construction, is expected to open at the end of this month. The opposite intersection was also closed for several weeks due to a sink hole but it has been reopened.

• Ongoing park improvements are underway. The shelter at Kimbrough Park is complete and work will continue on trail improvements. Newtonville Community Park is getting a makeover with construction of two pickleball courts underway, a disc golf course on the horizon and a parking lot in the design phase.
• The equipment for sound and video upgrades for the Event Center (formerly called the Civic Center) has arrived and installation will begin this week.
• The waterline spline project phase 1 has been approved for Water Street has been approved by the state and cutovers and tie-ins have begun. Work on phase 2, involving Meeting Street, has begun and from Amity Hill south on U.S. 21 is underway. That portion, Smith said, involves less work in the road. The project is 58 percent complete, he said.
• The contractor has started on the sidewalk project on Alexander and Stockton streets.

♦ As part of the content agenda, the city council approved requests to investigate a petition for annexation for a property at the intersection of Turnersburg Highway and Interstate 77. Thomas Donton has requested annexation on behalf of the QuikTrip Corporation. A public hearing will be held on May 11.