City rezones US 64 East property

ASHEBORO — During its May 4 meeting, the Asheboro City Council approved a request to rezone a tract of US 64 East property as commercial, propmting one council member to remark that he’d like to see all of US 64 zoned commercial. 

At question was property between 2307 and 2333 US 64 East, which was rezoned from low-density residential to general commercial. 

The 1.41-acre lot is owned by Phillip Ragsdale and is currently undeveloped. While there are residential properties in the area, there have been no new homes built in decades while commercial devel-opment has been ongoing, making this an area of transition. 

The site is outside the Asheboro city limits but within the extraterritorial jurisdiction. 

While there is city water to the location, there is as yet no city sewer service. The owner has made no definite plans for the site, but wanted to get it into compliance with zoning regulations before developing.

In other business, the council:

•Passed a resolution approving the issuance of revenue bonds by the Asheboro Housing Authority for improvements to Summit Apartments at 156 E. Academy Street.

The resolution approves the issuance of up to $10,790,000 in multifamily housing revenue bonds to finance improvements to the 101 units of Summit Apartments. The action was taken to satisfy a Internal Revenue Code Section, which “shall in no event constitute an endorsement of the bonds or the development of the creditworthiness of the borrower, nor shall such approval in any event be construed to obligate the city for the payment of the principal of or premium or interest on the bonds …”

Construction at Summit Apartments is expected to begin in late summer and take up to 12 months to complete.

•Approved rezoning for property between 2307 and 2333 US 64 East from low-density residential to general commercial.

The 1.41-acre lot is owned by Phillip Ragsdale and is currently undeveloped. While there are residential properties in the area, there have been no new homes built in decades while commercial development has been ongoing, making this an area of transition.

The site is outside the Asheboro city limits but within the extraterritorial jurisdiction. While there is city water to the location, there is as yet no city sewer service. The owner has made no definite plans for the site, but wanted to get it into compliance with zoning regulations before developing.

Moffitt said he has been of the mind that “all of 64 be commercial” rather than residential.

The council approved the request unanimously.

•Received an update of construction progress at McCrary Park from Spencer Patton, assistant city engineer.

Patton said the new grandstands are now going up as well as the concession building and ticket office. Work continues on the Tot Lot playground and the parking lot. He said the hope is that the park will be ready for baseball by mid-June.

Also, the council approved the purchase of property on North McCrary Street to allow McCrary Park signage facing Interstate 73/74. The cost of the property is $13,500 with another $2,500 for legal fees and closing costs. John Evans, assistant director of Community Development, showed the council potential designs for the interstate sign.

•Voted to approve a resolution for the city clerk to investigate an annexation petition of 241 acres at Old Cox Road and Old Humble Mill Road. The council also set the date of June 8 for a public hearing on the proposed annexation. 

It’s expected that developers want to build up to 400 residences as well as commercial uses at the site.

•Were presented annual reports by the City of Asheboro Planning Board and the Asheboro Regional Airport Authority.

•Listened to public comments from James Armstrong and Alan Maldonado, primarily about the problem of homelessness in the city.

Armstrong said, “Homelessness is critical in this town. A lot of them need help. Moving them from one side of town to another isn’t the solution. We need to quit spending on soccer fields and spend on places for them to stay. If you can’t do better than what you’re doing, you need to step down.”

Moffitt responded by saying, “There are problems not within the purview of the council. We try to help them and they go back to the woods. I don’t know the answer.”

Maldonado wanted to know “what kind of projects (the city has) to benefit everyone.” He also brought up disparities in the city parks, the need for more sidewalks and too many homeless people.

Smith told Maldonado that “every park has different uses. They’re all patrolled at 9 o’clock (p.m.).”

Maldonado asked the council what kind of programs were offered for the younger generation. Smith answered that there are programs “designed to attract people to our area. People like living here. We’re working on additional housing.” He mentioned the Mariachi Festival in Asheboro on May 5-6 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday.