Hope Mills rezones property for town manager, approves review for proposed subdivision
The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved land changes, including rezoning the recently annexed property of the town manager and approving a review of a proposed subdivision in town.
After a public hearing that lasted less than a minute with no comments, the board approved zoning Town Manager Scott Meszaros’ property on Calico Street as a single-family residential district.
The town annexed the 0.75-acre property in November. It was previously on county land zoned under a single-family residential district.
Meszaros did not speak during the public hearing. He also recused himself from the staff’s analysis of the zoning application.
The staff’s analysis stated that, since the property doesn’t include any proposed construction, “staff does not anticipate any issues.” Planning and Economic Development Director Chancer McLaughlin said that the property is currently occupied.
The staff’s analysis also stated that other single-family districts surrounded the property. Commissioner Joanne Scarola asked if the town had asked the neighbors if they also wanted to be annexed into the town.
No one nearby is a Hope Mills resident, but the town has incorporated an open space across the street into its town limits, according to the county map.
McLaughlin responded that, if the town approaches residents about annexation, then it would have to provide water and sewer. “If they come to us, then that eliminates our requirement to provide water and sewer,” he said.
McLaughlin added that none of the neighbors had approached the town about annexation.
The property currently does not have Public Works Commission water or sewer, according to the staff’s analysis.
New subdivision?
In addition, the board unanimously approved, with no discussion, a request for a land review of a proposed subdivision on Chickenfoot Road.
The subdivision proposes 132 single-family residential lots, averaging 6,000 square feet, according to the staff report. It will also include 10 acres of open space.
The town annexed the 45-acre property in October and zoned it as a single-family residential district in December. “Since that time, the town of Hope Mills plan review staff has continued to work diligently with the development team to assist in the facilitating of the subdivision,” according to the staff’s review.
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The Department of Transportation is requesting two rights-of-way at the proposed entrance along Corporation Drive, and the developer is proposing a secondary entrance off Sandhill Road, according to the staff report.
“These traffic-related aspects of the subdivision added with the cross-access intersection will provide remedies that aid in reducing traffic concerns in the overall area,” the staff report stated.
The staff report did not list a planning board meeting about the proposed subdivision.
Town committee to become nonprofit
The board also unanimously approved the bylaws and articles of incorporation for Hope Mills Prime Movers, which would allow the town committee to become a nonprofit.
Hope Mills Prime Movers is a committee that advises the board on “issues relevant to the attraction, retention and engagement of Hope Mills residents between the ages of 18 and 39. The committee is dedicated to improving communications with the [board of commissioners] regarding the quality of life for young adults by providing recommendations related to programs and actions that affect this age group,” according to the town website.
The committee has seven members, including Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray as the board liaison and McLaughlin as the town liaison, and eight advisory members. It meets once a month.
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McLaughlin said that the committee has been successful with its programs, but hasn’t been able to receive all the funding offered because of its financial limitations as a town committee. “I think it’s a great idea,” he said.
McLaughlin added that it is the goal for town committees to become fully operational entities.
As a nonprofit, the committee would be able to manage its own budget. Currently, it has a budget line within the planning and economic development department, which McLaughlin oversees.
McLaughlin said that the town would continue to oversee the budget. “We’re still managing it from the town side, but it allows them access to their account,” he said.
McLaughlin is the registered agent for the proposed nonprofit, according to the bylaws. Its address will be town hall.
In other news from the meeting, the board heard an update that the public safety building was 70% complete, approved the minutes of three closed sessions in 2020 and 2021, and approved the investigation of a voluntary annexation petition of 34 acres on Black Bridge Road.
Reporter Ivey Schofield can be reached at ischofield@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Hope Mills makes property moves
