The Carthage Board of Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss a broad agenda of topics, ranging from a planned traffic circle at a busy intersection to new development proposals.
The board received a brief update on a planned N.C. Department of Transportation project to replace a four-way stop at N.C. 22 and McCaskill Road with a traffic circle.
Town Manager Emily Yopp told the board that the North Carolina Department of Transportation will move forward with the roundabout, though no construction timeline has been set. The project “proposes converting the current four‑way stop into a single‑lane roundabout to address congestion and improve safety and traffic flow.”
Yopp said the design team will continue refining the concept and release additional details at a later date, but to be prepared for the coming changes.
Proposed placement of the new traffic circle at N.C. 22 and McCaskill Road. Image via Town of Carthage.
Commissioners also approved Resolution 26.09 to revise funding for water system improvements under S.L. 2023-134. Yopp said the town previously secured an $8 million grant to upgrade its water treatment plant, but costs have come in higher than anticipated. The town received $10 million through session law to split among projects and plans to submit a request to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to combine funding sources and cover the overrun. The measure passed unanimously.
In other business, the board unanimously approved a site plan for a 165-foot stealth wireless telecommunications tower at 5553 U.S. 15-501.
The 5.79-acre parcel, located between U.S. 15-501 and N.C. 22, is currently zoned highway commercial. A stealth tower is designed to blend into its surroundings, often resembling a tree or other structure rather than a traditional lattice tower.
Commercial real estate attorney Anthony J. Bologna represented the project and was present to answer questions. Bologna said the tower will help fill a coverage gap for Verizon customers between Carthage and the Little River area.
Bologna noted that the site meets setback requirements, and noise from a backup generator should be minimal due to its limited operation and placement near the center of the property.
Commissioners also adopted a resolution to facilitate the sale of two town-owned parcels to Habitat for Humanity for affordable housing. One parcel, acquired through foreclosure, may be sold by private sale. The other, obtained through eminent domain, must go through a bid or auction process under state law. The resolution allows the town to proceed with the required steps, though Habitat will need to submit a bid. The vote was unanimous.
The board called a public hearing for next month on an annexation request tied to a proposed mixed-use development on more than 130 acres off Needmore Road and near U.S. 15-501. The project would include flex warehouse space, single-family homes, and retail frontage along U.S. 15-501. Developers plan to present additional details at the hearing. The petitioners are seeking public services for the property, and a hearing date has been set for the commissioners’ next meeting in March.
Commissioners also held a public hearing on a rezoning request from Gattis Construction Inc. on behalf of Jeff Leenheer for 1.64 acres north of the intersection of Union Church Road and U.S. 1. The proposal would rezone the lower portion of the wooded parcel to industrial to allow mini-storage buildings.
“Good things are happening,” said Carthage commissioner Dan Bonillo as the meeting came to a close.
Feature photo by Sandhills Sentinel photographer Melissa Schaub.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Want Moore news that matters? Please click here to sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel e-newsletter.
Follow Sandhills Sentinel: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Threads | Newsletter
