The Town of Cameron held its regular meeting on March 22. During public comments, three speakers shared concerns and ideas.
Land developer Mark Lyczowski, of Sanford, presented a proposal to bring growth to Cameron with the potential of a $280 million increase in the town’s tax base.
The town would need to annex the proposed areas for development to benefit from the increased tax base.
Lyczowski said he was representing Anne McKracken who owns approximately 400 acres on the other side of the U.S. Highway 1 access bridge near the Sky Mart Store and another 40 acres surrounding Phillips Memorial Park.
The board discussed the development of a master-planned community with 800 to 1,000 lots on the other side of the bridge, with apartments and detached single-family homes, with commercial business coming in after completion.
The developer proposed detached single-family $300,000 homes around the park.
The town has reached its limit on water and would need a second tank.
The town has no sewer.
Lyczowski said he could offer sewer to the town with his proposed development and will help pay for a sewer feasibility study at approximately $10,000 to $15,000.
In a recent Moore 100 meeting, Moore County Planning and Inspections Director Debra Ensminger said she had major recommendations for updating Moore County’s comprehensive development plan, including having major subdivision developers provide their own sewer and water.
Principal Engineer Bill Lester of LKC Engineering in Aberdeen presented a consult on the town’s sewer needs.
“Sewer is a catalyst for growth,” Lester said.
Lester estimated sewer for the town at $1 to $2 million, not including the proposed development.
Lyczowski said the town can charge a system impact fee for developers, and the expense would be on developers.
“An alternative is to develop without sewer or annex, and the town does not grow,” Lyczowski said about using septic tanks instead to develop the properties.
The town said it will investigate and bring it up at a future meeting.
In other comments, Phillips Memorial Park Chair Laura Younts said the “Share the Love Mailbox” has been popular. She collected four notebooks of poems, pictures and prayers.
Younts requested that volunteers to help keep the park’s grassy areas maintained sign waivers at Town Hall, and the board agreed.
Several benches in need of repairs and a handrail needing replacement were discussed.
Younts proposed composite decking material at an expense of $232 per bench.
Mayor Pro Tempore Ginger Bauerband said the town did not need to get bids to make repairs on the handrail and recommended a person who had previously worked for the town.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected].
