The Town of Carthage said a proposal for a subdivision met their requirements at its June 1 meeting.
Town Planner Jennifer Hunt reviewed a request for preliminary plat approval for a major subdivision on 32.44 acres owned by Southern Pines companies SKC Properties, LLC and Pangea Properties, LLC.
The proposed subdivision is for 66 duplexes on 33 lots off McNeill and Rockingham streets.
“We have thoroughly looked through this project. It meets all UDO requirements,” Hunt said about the February technical review and planning board’s recommendation.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Specialist Matthew K. Martin, PWS sent a letter explaining a major concern for this development.
“My current concern is situated around lots 3 and 4 which have a proposed drainage easement along what appears to be a topographic low and has the potential to be a wetland or stream feature. If this easement is a feature, we may be setting up future impacts by platting these lots. I would encourage the developer to have their aquatic resources verified by the USACE by submitting a Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination (PJD) to the USACE. By completing this step, we can advise on if a Department of the Army permit would be required to complete the development,” Martin wrote to the planning board.
“We asked Kirby (developer) to come tonight. He said he will provide a reply to this concern when we meet with the commissioners,” Hunt said about the USACE letter.
“There’s no buffer between neighborhoods. I don’t want someone staring at me,” Carthage resident Marcus Tush said.
“I don’t want the property clear cut like Carriage Hill. It’s a disgrace. And Carthage can’t afford another disgrace,” Carthage resident Gelynda Underwood said.
The board instructed citizens to write letters of concern about buffers, trees, drainage and fencing to the commissioners and planning board.
“You can send the letters to me, and I will get them to Kirby and include them in the commissioner’s packets,” Hunt said, and she gave her email address of [email protected].
In other business, the board approved a map amendment rezoning from residential to industrial at 333 Niagra Carthage Road on 39.28 acres for the Sandhills Community College (SCC) Public Services Training Center. It was previously referred to as the “Larry Caddell Training Center.”
SCC’s training center’s indoor shooting range completion date is approximately 2030 because the construction costs are high, and the school needs to raise funds.
Also discussed was a text amendment allowing portable buildings to be on the site where they are sold covers more than the single applicant. The board approved the text amendment, and it will include all areas in the Highway Commercial District.
Chris Poole will sell portable buildings with unfinished interiors on five acres at 4937 U.S. Highway 15-501, which Grace Church of Southern Pines owns. The property was previously a car lot.
The board approved a text amendment to the UDO to increase subdivision road design standards to prevent potholes, lessen maintenance costs, and improve maneuverability.
The new road surface requirement is eight inches of aggregate and 1.5 inches of asphalt during construction and 1.5 inches of asphalt after construction.
The higher standards include wider roads, at 60 feet, to allow for curbside parking, curbs and gutters.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Journalist Stephanie M. Sellers; B.S. Mass Communications and Journalism, MFA Creative Writing. Contact her at [email protected]
