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- Graham City Council, Planning Board
Graham City Council, Planning Board
July 2023
Welcome to Ultraground. We sort zoning meetings for you.
July
City Council
179-Unit Townhomes | Denied
68.8-Acre Industrial | Approved
Planning
190-Lot SFR | Approved
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City Council 07/11/23
Oakmont (AN2305)
South Graham | 57 Acres | 179 Units | Denied
The Little Creek Drive annexation request received mixed feedback from the community and was ultimately denied by the City Council in a 3-2 vote.
The developer, David Michaels of Windsor Commercial, proposed annexing 57.106 acres off Little Creek Drive to connect to city water and sewer for an associated housing development called Oakmont. The development had already received a special use permit approval from the Council in 2021 for 179 total homes, including townhomes.
The project appeared to receive pushback from some residents due to concerns over increased traffic on existing narrow residential streets like Wildwood Lane and Palmer Drive.
“The entire council chambers were full of people that were not in favor of the development.
There were also concerns expressed over smaller lot sizes, with many below the 12,000 sq ft minimum required in the R-12 zoning.
However, the developer pointed out they were following the city's open space ordinance to conserve environmentally sensitive areas.
“The point of it is to protect environmentally sensitive areas so the idea of pulling lots away from floodplain, wetlands, creeks, streams, low lying areas...was the intent.
Michaels also mentioned meeting with adjacent residents to address concerns. Nearby resident Greg Massey said the developer gave them some conditions that the development would meet, including an 8ft fence, lighting directed away from properties, and no trailer storage on their side.
Mayor Talley made a motion to deny the annexation, noting concerns over non-compliance with R-12 zoning for 12,000 SF lots. She also cited potential traffic impacts and lack of revenue benefit for the city.
Councilmember Ricky Hall said he felt the annexation denial would not stop the already approved development.
Developer: Windsor Investments, David Michaels LinkedIn
Planning Board 07/18/23
Lacy Farms CR2005
Southwest Graham | 57 Acres | 190 Lots | Approved
The Lacy Farms project received mixed feedback from the Board and neighborhood at the 7/18 meeting. Some of the pushback stemmed from residents' concerns about buffers, drainage and a turnaround encroaching on a buffer.
Janice Hope Cash, a neighboring resident, voiced concerns about a turnaround on Archer Drive infringing on the 30-foot buffer.
Another resident, Lindsay McKinney, brought up issues with flooding and runoff since trees were mistakenly removed from a buffer.
The developer, LeoTerra, indicated a willingness to work with residents to address concerns.
The Board ultimately voted to approve the amendment with added conditions to relocate the turnaround and allow 1-3 additional lots to provide flexibility in addressing residents' concerns.
LeoTerra presented key points about removing a street tie-in, reconfiguring open space, and reducing mail kiosks. They changed the plan to consolidate mail kiosks and demonstrated willingness to alter the turnaround.
Developer: LeoTerra, Kat Lyon [email protected], Dane Epling LinkedIn
0 Kimrey Rd
Southeast Graham | 68.8 Acres | Approved
Un-Zoned to I-1, Light Industrial
Request to rezone 68.791 acres located at 0 Kimrey Road from Un-zoned to I-1, Light Industrial for the purpose of developing an industrial site in the future.
Property is inside the employment district future land use area.
Planning Board recommended denial of the rezoning by a vote of 6-0.
City Council approved the rezoning by a vote of 3-2.
There was discussion about the property being designated as an employment center and part of the potential NC Commerce Park expansion. Council discussed the potential for increased tax revenue and jobs.
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