The Southern Pines Town Council met July 12 to discuss several new developments that had been under consideration for quite a while.
The council discussed the second phase of Morganton Park South following the first phase of the retail side which was approved in 2021.
The total project is almost 100 acres. The complete development allows 650 residences, which could be multifamily, townhomes, or single-family detached, up to a density of 16 dwelling units per acre, and up to 700,000 square feet of office and commercial/retail.
Questions were raised by the council on the project’s financial feasibility since the initial financial studies were based on 650 units. A math error in the initial draft resulted in a higher density than the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) allowed. Based on the UDO, the development should be limited to 460 units.
Councilmember Bill Pate expressed concern that if they grant an exception, there is nothing preventing future councils from granting exceptions, resulting in a much higher density. Southern Pines Mayor Carol Haney invoked a well-known children’s book, “When you give a mouse a cookie….”
After extended discussion, the board approved the development with the following approval condition the number of residential units is capped at 483 units for the entire development.
A portion of the project was approved Tuesday for 269 units on 13 acres.
In other business, the town approved a Discount Tire to be built where Sandhills Urgent Care used to be. Additionally, they approved an expansion of Ace Hardware store along with a 7,000 square foot multiuse retail building on the corner of Brucewood and old Morganton roads.
The U.S. House of Representatives recognized July as Parks and Recreation Month. North Carolina ranks 10th in the nation with over $6 billion in economic activity and provides over 37,000 jobs in the state in parks and recreation. The council also honored the Town of Southern Pines Parks and Recreation Department. The award was presented to Southern Pines Parks and Recreation Director Cindi King.
The next Southern Pines Town Council meeting is on August 3, 2022.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Chris Prentice.
