The most recent Robbins Board of Commissioners meeting, held on March 13, saw the town take the first steps in two large projects: a food truck park and a multi-million-dollar townhome development.
Both projects sought rezoning for their potential parcels, and both projects saw these proposals approved following public hearings, deliberation, and conditions.
Robbins Food Park
Pending conditions, a 1.36-acre parcel at 120 N Rockingham St., formerly a residential lot, will be converted into a designated space for food trucks and pop-up markets.
The applicants, who inherited the property from their late mother, shared their vision for Robbins Food Park.
“I think our mom would be very happy with the use of this property,” said the applicants. “[Mom] always wanted to see that property used—she was a big proponent of everything going on in Robbins. She loved Robbins, she grew up in Robbins, my dad grew up in Robbins, and my grandparents. So, we want to try to do something that’ll be beneficial to the citizens of Robbins and the surrounding community.”
The site will feature a gravel lot for easy access, a fenced perimeter, picnic tables, and a circular driveway to facilitate food truck traffic. No permanent structures are planned beyond a small building for operations and a matching dumpster enclosure.
Robbins Town Manager Clint Mack stated the following in the project’s planning considerations:
* The submitted site plan for a fence and the park’s proposed operating hours are considerate of neighboring properties.
* The applicant has agreed to facilitate food trucks that are approved and permitted through Moore County Public Health Department and meet any/all operating statutes
* Privatizing the coordinating efforts of food trucks in Robbins will increase safety and efficiency by allowing town employees to focus on special event operations and safety rather than food trucks’ operational needs
* The proposed park can increase citizen safety by centrally locating vendors to a concentrated space
* Food trucks can be an asset to a small town by creating vibrant community spaces and providing residents and visitors with a variety of culinary experiences
Mack did recommend that the commissioners approve the rezoning and continue to “assist the applicant through the planning process until project completion.”
During the public hearing, the commissioners confirmed that there would be no detriment to Farmer’s Day, and the applicants were agreeable.
The rezoning was approved, and the town will continue to work with applicants as the project moves forward.
Rezoning for Townhomes
The commissioners also approved a conditional rezoning request to develop a dormant former school property into a 47-unit market-priced townhouse development. The commissioners felt that the decision fits well with the town’s master plan to improve housing availability and community walkability without overcrowding.
The property was previously zoned for industrial use, but Mack felt that this zoning was no longer in keeping with the surrounding area. Mack explained, “Given the proximity of neighboring residences, I do not consider the parcel’s current zoning classification harmonious or conducive to any future light or heavy industrial activities.”
The Robbins Future Land Use Map already designates the area for general commercial or residential purposes, making the rezoning a logical step.
The approved rezoning changes the property from I-Industrial to Residential-8 CZ, a classification more suited to the surrounding neighborhood and the town’s long-term land use goals. The site, previously home to Robbins Primary School, had remained undeveloped since 2021, apart from an initial engineering study.
The property seems ideal for residential development due to its proximity to existing homes and the availability of water and sewer connections.
The proposed development supports two key principles of the Robbins Master Plan: safe and affordable housing, walkability and community amenities.
Further, the project is not without financial benefit to the town. Currently, the site generates approximately $661 annually in property taxes. Once developed, the townhomes are projected to contribute over $77,000 annually, based on an estimated total real property value of $11.28 million.
The townhomes themselves will feature three-bedroom units with single-car garages. It was also delineated in the plans that the development’s design minimizes the number of driveways connecting to major roads for safety and has a minimal impact on existing traffic patterns.
The developers anticipate pricing the homes between $200,000 and $250,000, with interest already expressed by former Robbins residents looking for new housing options in their hometown.
Mack, however, also addressed the discrepancies between income and housing prices in Moore County.
According to Mack, the median home value in Robbins is currently $159,000, and the median take-home pay for a single-family household is $42,000.
The average home price for sale in Moore County is $495,000, which is a $150,000 increase since 2020.
“That’s a 20% increase, roughly,” read Mack. “The catch is that while this sounds great for everybody, the median professional take-home pay of the two largest professions in Moore County—teachers and education-related professionals, and nursing or medical registered nurses—has not increased by 20%. So, you have an increase of $150,000 per house but certainly not [an equivalent] increase in income.”
Mack believes the townhomes’ price point is “very competitive for what we’re dealing with in Moore County right now.”
The board will continue to oversee the development’s progress, ensuring it meets agreed-upon conditions and town regulations.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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