The Village of Whispering Pines held a meeting on Aug. 17 to discuss a possible future housing development called Royal Woods. Ascot Corporation, LLC managing owner Colin Webster has 300 acres under contract. The acreage adjoins the Village. Webster showed plans for 455 homes in his conceptual plans at the meeting.
“The design used for discussion at the meeting was not a formal proposal for development,” said Mayor Alexa Roberts in an email to Sandhills Sentinel. “It was a sample design that was used to show various residential options that could be offered under a variety of zoning regulations (which are not currently in our LDO).”
If the council does nothing, according to Commissioner Bob Zschoche, the developer can still legally build 265 homes. He also said the council needs to study the impact of building on a hundred-year flood plain, which would cost the Village millions.
Roberts said two questions needed to be answered before discussing plans. The first question was whether the Village wanted to change zoning density from low to medium or high. The second question was whether the Village wanted to annex the proposed development.
Roberts said the Village would have to increase its tax base if it is annexed.
“Increasing the tax “base” means increasing the number of homes that are within the corporate limits that pay taxes,” said Roberts to Sandhills Sentinel. “The primary source of revenue for WP (and most municipalities) is ad valorem taxes. In order to increase revenues, tax rates can be raised (increase taxes) or the tax base could be increased (adding more people paying taxes). Of course, increasing the tax base comes with a cost to provide services, so it is something that must be carefully considered.”
Concerns were the increased traffic, concentrating mainly on Queen’s Cove Way. Other impacted roads would be Goldenrod Drive, Royal Woods Drive and Airport Road.
Commissioner Andy Conway’s statement was read in his absence. He shared apprehension about expansion due to limits on the Village’s infrastructure.
Webster said the proposed development would stay with the Village’s current water supplier, Carolina Water. There would not be development below dams in hazard paths. He said a benefit of some growth would be some increase in property values. Whereas no growth has no increase in values.
Another aspect of Conway’s statement was the proposed patio homes for the elderly were a good idea. He said some villagers had to leave the Village to find low-maintenance homes. Patio homes offer an alternative. Commissioner Pamela Harris agreed with both of Conway’s statements.
“One can only speculate,” Webster said about another benefit of the development. He said it may reduce crowding at Pineridge Park because there would be more amenities in the area.
“Wetlands could be used as a backyard,” Webster said. “It can be cleaned but not mechanically cleared. State rules we can build right up to a wetland. Land that has already been zoned can be built on.”
Webster said taxes may not increase. He said he was familiar with growth of the Village and expects the growth rate to not affect taxes.
The Village Council will use public hearing input to make decisions.
Mayor Pro-Tem Glen Bernhard wants to delay a second public hearing to give the planning board time to study zoning options. It was suggested the council further discuss this during their next work session.
The Village’s next regular meeting is on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed as all council meetings are. The link to the livestream is available at www.whisperingpinesnc.net under the Agendas, Minutes and Streaming tab. Click the drop-down arrow next to “Recorded” and go to “Upcoming.”
Feature photo: Ascot Corporation, LLC managing owner Colin Webster provides a sketch of Royal Woods’ 455 home development on August 17 to the Village of Whispering Pines.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Stephanie M. Sellers. Contact her at [email protected].
