Asheboro City Council clears way for large subdivision

Janet Imrick

Randolph Hub

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro City Council concluded the discussion on a subdivision project near the zoo, voting in favor of rezoning and annexation. It was the largest of three rezoning requests they heard at their July 13 meeting. Their vote clears the way for the Richlands Creek development to be built on Old Cox Road and Old Humble Mill Road.

Community Development Director Trevor Nuttall first presented changes made by the developer Bill Turner after the public hearing in June. The number of units was lowered from 413 to 399.

New conditions require more visitor parking space, garages and driveways for the townhomes, and a six-foot fence on the property line near Old Humble Mill Road.

All these changes had been suggested by neighbors in June, who said they worried about the extra traffic and exacerbating issues they'd had with trespassers. Councilman Clark Bell said he felt that these changes addressed their concerns before he made the motion for the vote.

Mayor David Smith gave more time for neighbors to express any new concerns.

Patricia Pittillo asked what would happen if the developer chose to add commercial property, as that had been in the original proposal. Nuttall answered that the developer would have to come back to the council first.

Smith said, "To the developer, I appreciate your willingness to work with the residents. It is the desire of the city not to have a lot of on-street parking."

The City Council voted in favor of two more rezoning requests. 

The estate of Peggy Britt, through realtor HR Gallimore, asked to rezone 207 East Pritchard Street from general commercial to office-apartment use. This would allow construction of single homes, multi-family units, or certain types of businesses such as doctor's offices.

The third request was by Ricky Spencer to change a plot on 3114 Zoo Parkway from low-density residential to medium-density. The undeveloped land is south of the Zoo City Sportsplex. Councilman Bill McCaskill asked how many units might be built there. Nuttall said the land looks to be capable of holding two multi-family lots, or four individual units. That request was also approved.