Concerned Whispering Pines residents took to the podium Wednesday evening to speak out against a proposed rezoning that could pave the way for a new subdivision near Queens Cove. Speakers, who brought forward a petition with 71 signatures, warned the village council that the development could strain private roads, worsen flooding, and change the character of their neighborhood.
The debate unfolded during a public hearing at the Village of Whispering Pines council meeting April 8, where the council considered a request to conditionally rezone about 129 acres of undeveloped property north and east of the Queens Cove subdivision. The request would change the zoning from RA to RS conditional district, allowing approximately 95 homes instead of the roughly mid-70s that could be built under the current zoning.
According to Village Clerk and Interim Village Manager Linda Christopher, the property was previously zoned RS to allow for future development; however, in May 2015 the Village initiated a rezone to change the zoning to RA.
The project’s official “justification/benefit” statement reads “additional development has always been planned for that area.”
Residents filled the meeting room, and many proceeded to voice similar concerns about traffic, infrastructure, the fairness of ETJs, and environmental impacts if the project moves forward.
These concerns had also been expressed and recorded at a previous meeting held by the developer.
Many speakers focused on Queens Cove Way and nearby streets, which are reportedly privately maintained through residents’ funds. Several said the roads were never designed to handle traffic from a large subdivision.
Though a traffic study has not yet been conducted, one resident who lives on Queens Cove Way estimated the development could add hundreds of vehicle trips daily if dozens of new homes are built.
“Our road cannot sustain the amount of heavy equipment that would come up and down that road,” he said. “Right now, we can barely support what we have.”
Others said the issue goes beyond construction traffic and includes long-term maintenance. Residents currently pay into a road maintenance agreement to repair potholes and pavement on the private road network.
Monica Smith, who helps manage the agreement, said maintaining the road is already a challenge for volunteers.
Several residents also worried about the safety of children who live in the area. One speaker said 17 children live on Covenant Road alone, where families say kids regularly ride bikes and play outside. They say it’s currently a quiet, peaceful area with little to no through traffic.
Another speaker drew a comparison in which she likened the community’s children to bowling pins, echoing other fears about construction equipment and passing vehicles on a road that’s otherwise always been safe.
Environmental concerns were another common theme. Residents described wetlands, streams, and frequent flooding near the end of Queens Cove Way and behind several homes. Some said removing trees and adding pavement could increase runoff and worsen drainage problems.
Others questioned where stormwater from the proposed subdivision would go.
“Right now, the trees and ground absorb some of that water,” one speaker observed. “Once it’s pavement, that water is going to run straight down to our homes.”
Among the other concerns were school capacity, water pressure, fire access requirements, and the potential loss of wildlife habitat.
Council members, however, countered by explaining that the current discussion concerns zoning, not the subdivision’s detailed design.
Christopher said issues such as traffic studies, wetlands analysis, stormwater plans, and fire code requirements would be reviewed later in the subdivision approval process if the rezoning moves forward. She added that Whispering Pines Fire Rescue Chief Rich Lambdin will make sure any potential subdivision is up to code and safe for residents and first responders alike.
She reminded speakers that no decision has been made and that the upcoming decision will concern only rezoning.
The rezoning and its opposition are not new to the council, who previously discussed it at a meeting on March 18.
“The Board reviewed and discussed the rezone request, along with the proposed 95-lot subdivision layout, which is the purpose behind requesting a rezone,” summarizes a letter included in the village’s agenda packet. “The Board heard comments from a couple of Queens Cove residents, who are opposed to the proposed subdivision. Following discussion, a recommendation for approval was made in the form of a motion, which was unanimously approved. A motion was made by Mike Boyle, second provided by Bruno Decaudin that the request for conditional rezoning, which is in the best interest of the Village, be recommended for approval with the following conditions to be considered: 1. Primary and alternative access routes 2. Identify phases 3. Annexation.”
The proposal will be discussed further during a council work session scheduled for April 22, when the council expects to hear from the developer and review additional information before deciding whether to move forward.
Photo via Village of Whispering Pines.
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