Townhome community on Zoo Parkway approved

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council unanimously approved a 14-unit townhome community on Zoo Parkway approximately 225 feet south of Ridge Street at the council’s July 14 meeting.

The development will be on 2.5 acres just inside the city limits. The council approved rezoning of the site from R10 medium-density residential to R7.5 (CZ) medium-density conditional zoning for a planned unit development.

The original plan was for 16 units but the Planning Board’s rejection led the developer, Darren Lucas, to reduce it to 14. The homes will range from 825 to 855 square feet and be configured as seven buildings, each with two homes. There is also a land-scaped recreation area with a picnic table. 

Attorneys Bob Wilhoit and Darren Allen represented Lucas and informed the council that plans call for vegetative buffers on the north and south sides. On the east side is Zoo Parkway and the west end is forested.

Real estate agent H.R. Gallimore addressed the council on the impact of the development. He said that in the 27203 zip code area there are only seven homes for sale. He said that with the “critical housing shortage, we do have the need.” He also said a “well-maintained community enhances the property.”

Richard Caviness, who lives next to the site, said, “I feel like there will be an awful lot of traffic, and pressure from congestion” with the imminent opening of the Zoo City Sportsplex on Zoo Parkway at Old Cox Road. 

Mayor David Smith reminded Caviness that with visitors to the North Carolina Zoo now using the new US 64 Bypass, traffic on Zoo Parkway has eased significantly.

The council approved two other rezoning applications. The first was by Parkway South Townhomes at 3140 Zoo Parkway for the purpose of rezoning to RA6 (CZ) high density residential conditional zoning for a planned unit development modification, transferring street maintenance to the City of Asheboro. 

There are 35 parcels on 7.62 acres at Parkway South Townhomes. It was initially approved by the city in 1999. 

The applicant’s reasons for the action was to “help to ensure public safety through city maintenance. As residents and taxpayers of the City of Asheboro, Parkway South would like to turn over the currently private streets. The streets meet the criteria for this. There are no plans to implement any gates or other barriers that would prevent public access to these streets. As a practical matter, public access already exists.”

The other rezoning request involved three parcels: 

- 1352 E. Salisbury St., zoning for business, professional and personal services and an overflow parking area.

- 342 Patton Ave., zoning for business, professional and personal services.

- 1420 E. Salisbury St., for proposed changes to the motor vehicle repair and rental/sales of domestic motor vehicles uses.

The City Council also approved a sketch design review for Thomas Estates at 2513 Old Cedar Falls Road. The design calls for 38 units on 13.36 acres. It’s Phase 3 of the Estates of Cedar Falls.

In other business, the council:

•Approved a change order with Terry’s Plumbing & Utilities for the Zoo City Sportsplex in the amount of $2,674,019. The additional funds are needed “to remove additional rock in the amount of approximately $941,000, build ‘Building C’ concession stand in the amount of approximately $533,000 and additional site work including but not limited to temporary seeding of fields 5-8, concrete work, asphalt work, clearing, fencing, entrance gates, retaining wall, and drainage pipe installation.”

•Voted to prohibit on-street parking on either side of Kivett Street at two locations. The first is between Church and Park streets and the second is between Cox and Main streets. 

It was pointed out that the street on both blocks are very narrow and without curbing. Parked vehicles make it difficult for two automobiles to pass.

•Were advised of improvements to the intersection of Dixon Avenue and Dixon Street. The intersection currently has a stop sign at Dixon Street. The changes are to add a stop sign at Dixon Avenue with stop bars on both streets and double yellow lines down the center to designate lanes.

•Approved the rejection of all bids on the Industrial Park Avenue sidewalk project. All bids were said to be over budget.

•Learned that applications will be made for grants to fund the David and Pauline Jarrell Center City Garden. An environmental study must first be completed.

•Received an update on the airport lighting rehabilitation project. A portion of the new LED lights have been installed and the project is expected to be completed by Aug. 14.

•Approved the investigation and setting up public hearings on Aug. 4 for annexation petitions for 923 Meadowbrook Road and for the Timber Ridge Subdivision on Allred Street.

•Granted a pawnbroker license to Ronald R. Autry to reopen a pawn shop at the intersection of Fayetteville and Kivett streets.

•Approved a resolution for a policy of pre-qualification of builders for construction projects.

•Agreed to continue until a special meeting on July 26 to consider policies for expenditure of funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

•Agreed to the closure of the eastern terminus of West Pritchard Street.