City approves amended plan for elderly apartments

ASHEBORO — A whole-block development of a multi-family apartment building for the elderly, first approved on May 5, 2022, has been amended to minimize environmental impacts.

On July 13, the Asheboro City Council approved a request by Wynnefield Forward, LLC, to amend conditional zoning for the block bordered by Church Street, Kivett Street, Hammer Avenue and Lanier Avenue. 

The changes will reduce the four-story structure from 60 units to 48, move the building closer to Hammer Avenue and away from Church Street, and change the parking location while reducing the number of parking spaces.

The changes were brought about by the difficulty in placing the building near Church Street, and farther away from the railroad tracks, due to a stream flowing through the property. There is also a city sewer line through the site that will be relocated by the developer.

The property, known as Memorial Square, is located diagonally across from Memorial Park and consists of approximately 2.5 acres.

According to the staff analysis, “Whole Block Redevelopment is envisioned to help with the revitalization of neighborhoods, removal of blighted and unsafe structures, encouragement of reinvestment into properties in the vicinity of the development, stabilization and enhancement of property values, improvement of the City’s housing stock, enhancement of the historic integrity of neighborhoods and improvement to public infrastructure.”

There are currently five residential dwellings on the property. According to Davis Ray of Wynnefield Forward, the people living in those structures were given a 45-day notice to vacate and stipends to help them move. As of July 13, there were still occupants on the property.

In other business, the council:

•Approved the designation of the 1909 Acme-McCrary Hosiery Mill at 159 North St. as a historic landmark.

The request was presented by Ross Holt of the Randolph County Historic Landmark Preservation Commission (HLPC). He said the site meets the specific criteria of the HLPC, including its critical part of local cultural, historic and social heritage, its identification with persons who significantly contributed to the architectural, cultural, economic, historical, social and other aspects of development in the area, its important architecture as an exemplification of a type or style distinguished by innovation, rarity, uniqueness, and its distinctive theme expressed by the buildings.

The Acme-McCrary building at 159 North St. now joins the Parks Hosiery Mill/McCrary Hosiery Mill of 1925 and the Acme-McCrary & Sapona Recreation Center as historic landmarks. 

•Adopted a resolution establishing the criteria and authorization for the design-build delivery method for the Wolfspeed water line extension project. Asheboro has been approved by the state to provide water to the site of Wolfspeed just over the Chatham County line.

Michael Rhoney, Water Resources director, listed the six criteria for the project. They are:

1. The extent to which the governmental entity can adequately and thoroughly define the project requirements prior to the issuance of the request for qualifications for a design-builder.

2. The time constraints for the delivery of the project.

3. The ability to ensure that a quality project can be delivered.

4. The capability of the governmental entity to manage and oversee the project, including the availability of experienced staff or outside consultants who are experienced with the design-build method of project delivery.

5. A good-faith effort to comply with state statutes and to recruit and select small business entities.

6. Justification that city staff follows the 10 percent minority participation goal set forth by council action for all bid projects.

•Heard a summary of the master plan for the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

Carl Scharfe of The Wooten Company gave a detailed technical analysis of the plant and its needs for the coming decades. Some of the equipment dates back to the 1960s, he said, and will not keep up with new federal regulations concerning organic compounds.

With the need to replace most of the current equipment, Scharfe estimated that by the year 2031, the cost to the city could top $100 million. Most municipalities are facing the same problems, it was said, and talks are currently under way to establish a regional wastewater treatment plant that could be used by municipalities and counties in the region.

•Received the results of a traffic study done in connection with the Trade Street renovations.

The study was completed by Ramey Kemp Associates, who looked at scenarios that included the existing roadway network, making North Street one-way southbound, and making North Street one-way southbound with a closure between Trade Street and Sunset Avenue and a reversal of traffic flow on Trade Street.

The conclusion of the study was that no changes be made, to keep the streets as they are while making Trade Street more attractive.

•Were given an update on the qualifications-based selection process for the procurement of architectural services needed for the David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden Visitor Center.

The firm selected would analyze the current building on the site, which would require significant restoration, or if it should be replaced. The firm would ask if a suitable structure would be feasible and would it fit the neighborhood.

•Considered three petitions for annexation into the city.

— The first was from Duke Energy Progress, requesting the contiguous annexation of four parcels across the intersection of New Century Drive and Veterans Loop Road. The company plans to relocate offices and a storage yard. The request was approved.

— The second was from Burnis and Janice Spoon and Ardani Nolasco to annex two parcels near the intersection of NC 42 and Patton Avenue. Both were approved.

— The third petition was from Darren Lucas requesting the contiguous annexation of land at the intersection of Crestview Church Road and Zoo Parkway. The council agreed to direct the city clerk to investigate the petition and to set a public hearing on the matter for the Aug. 10 council meeting.

•Were presented with a request by Sherwood Oaks Townhomes for the city to take over the maintenance of the streets within that community.

The council agreed to allow city staff to study the request and report back. 

•Authorized City Attorney Jeff Sugg to publish notice in the newspaper of the city’s intent to enter into a lease agreement with the Randolph County Board of Education for the use of transmitter space on city-owned property.

The transmitter is on Dave’s Mountain. The school system would use the transmitter to maintain communications with its school buses. The agreement calls for $3,000 annual rent.