Southern Pines approves rezoning, housing, industrial site

December 10, 2025

The Southern Pines Town Council moved through a full agenda Tuesday night, swearing in elected officials, approving a broad housing overhaul, and advancing an industrial redevelopment plan that the board says will support job growth.

Mayor Taylor Clement opened the meeting by inviting students from the Boys and Girls Club to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. She told the room that taking part in local government should be viewed as a privilege. Fittingly, during public comment, a resident urged the town to find ways to boost participation in future municipal elections, citing that numbers were on the decline across most parts of the county.

Council Backs Major Housing Changes

The council’s most debated item was a zoning text amendment intended to widen housing choices for middle-income families. The package creates two additional categories of minor subdivisions that would allow as many as 9 or 21 lots in high-density districts when projects meet strict design rules.

“This is something that staff has been working on for quite some time based on the updates to our comprehensive long-range plan and the identification of sort of a missing middle in our housing options,” described Clement.

Over the past several months, Planning Director BJ Grieve and Planner II James Broadwell have explained that the changes are meant to open the door for homes that fall between single-family houses and large apartment complexes. The new approach lowers the minimum parent lot size and allows townhomes with smaller footprints while keeping limits on overall square footage. Townhomes built under the standards could not exceed a 1,000-square-foot building footprint or 2,000 square feet of heated space.

Board member Ann Petersen pressed for clarification on tree preservation and redevelopment site criteria, which limit projects to lots where no more than 30% of land reflects Southern Pines’ natural character. Broadwell outlined incentivized standards for minor subdivisions, explaining that developers must earn 15 points from a menu of options—such as redevelopment site selection, energy-efficient construction, or installing sidewalks—to qualify for additional allowances.

One resident who spoke during the public comment period raised concerns about potential redevelopment in neighborhoods west of downtown, saying tear-downs could undercut the character of older blocks.

“It really is a balance, because folks who would initially want another house built in our community aren’t going to like parts of this,” noted Broadwell. “Conversely, folks who want to maximize housing everywhere possible also aren’t going to like parts of this. Moreover, it’s not going to fix the housing problem, but it will help by bringing the supply closer to the demand in a way that doesn’t erode our community character or community assets. And it’s only allowed in our five highest-density zones.”

Clement acknowledged the concern and asked staff to outline the protections already in place and how redevelopment typically occurs in those areas.

Petersen, however, felt that the proposal deserved more review time.

“I’m not necessarily opposed to this, but I am opposed to trying to make a decision about it tonight,” said Petersen. “I want to be really empathetic, but I also want to tell you that my instinct is to say I’m going to need more time to wrap my head around this. I don’t know whether the rest of the council will be with me on that or not, but I think this is huge. And I think you’re really trying to address an issue that we asked you to address.”

After extended discussion, the measure passed with 3-2, with board members Ann Petersen and Bob Curtin dissenting.

Six Homes Approved on Former Golf Course Parcel

Additionally, the board reviewed a rezoning request tied to a six-lot subdivision planned for Country Club Circle. Planning staff outlined how the proposal meets the town’s approval standards and aligns with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which supports infill housing, neighborhood compatibility, and the preservation of open space.

The project calls for six detached homes on oversized lots without a homeowners’ association. Planning staff reported that the land is no longer well-suited to its old recreational designation now that the former golf use has ended. They said the residential plan represents an efficient infill development consistent with the town’s policies for responsible growth and neighborhood design.

A required neighborhood meeting was held on October 6. Attendees asked about home prices, house sizes, safety during construction, and whether the speed limit could be reduced to 25 mph. Developer Fernando Silva told residents that the homes would be built to a high standard, likely priced near $1 million, and that the lots—each more than 16,000 square feet—would allow larger homes consistent with nearby development.

The board approved the rezoning, and development may now move forward.

The parcel as shown in the meeting’s agenda.

Industrial Redevelopment Moves Forward

Council members also signed off on a conceptual plan to upgrade an industrial site along Trimble Plant Road.

“The intent of this proposal is to modernize the site to respond to current market demand for flexible industrial and business space,” explains the applicant, Koontz Jones Designs, in the official proposal. “The combination of expanded uses and a new flex building will allow the property to attract a broader spectrum of users—such as light manufacturing, assembly, distribution, research and development, contractor services, and limited office or commercial tenants—consistent with the evolving nature of employment and industrial development.”

The 22-acre property will see the construction of a 40,000-square-foot flex building, improvements to stormwater controls, and exterior updates to existing facilities. A 75-foot buffer along U.S. 1 is planned to screen views of the taller building. Town officials said the proposal aligns with long-term goals to attract varied business uses and enhance the local tax base.

Separately, the council approved a rezoning request that shifts the same 22-acre industrial tract into a planned development district, allowing a wider mix of uses than the previous zoning permitted. The site includes NC Self Storage, Penske Truck Rental, and Moore Free & Charitable Clinic. The larger building will remain, but the plan calls for constructing the new flex building where a smaller structure now stands.

Donation of Surplus Police Equipment

The council also approved Resolution 1040, authorizing the donation of surplus police equipment to the Parkton Police Department in Robeson County.

The items, all compatible with 2013–2015 Chevrolet Caprice vehicles, include three consoles with MDT mounts, three single prisoner cage panels, and three sets of assorted lights. Town officials said the equipment was removed from vehicles the town no longer owns and is unlikely to be reused or sold.

The donation was made under N.C. Gen. Stat. 160A-274, which allows municipalities to convey surplus property to other government agencies. Parkton police recently purchased older model Caprice vehicles and requested compatible accessories.

To watch the meeting on video, click here.

Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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