BURGAW — A single-family subdivision is coming to Henry Brown Road outside of downtown Burgaw after developers were given the greenlight on Tuesday.
Property owner David DeMoss is proposing 75 homes near Piney Woods and Henry Brown roads as a phase four to the Tealbriar subdivision. However, the development will stand on its own, have a separate HOA and be called “Dunbar” Subdivision.
Compared to the 3.63 units per acre of density allowed, the planned subdivision offers 0.46 per acre. The site will be accessible off Henry Brown Road and its homes are expected to generate 53 trips in the morning peak and 71 trips in the evening peak. A formal TIA was not required.
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The Burgaw Board of Commissioners approved the preliminary plat unanimously at its meeting earlier in the week after no discussion.
Though the 30-acre property is zoned for residential use, DeMoss was required to submit the project as a major subdivision for preliminary plat approval. Developers must go through the major subdivision procedure when they propose more than 11 homes; this process usually involves the dedication of new streets, extension of infrastructure, or improvements to existing roads.
Approvals of preliminary plats is a quasi-judicial process in Burgaw. Town attorney Norwood Blanchar reminded Tuesday’s crowd the commissioners had to follow a strict set of guidelines regarding approval and only those with “standing” — or directly affected by Tuesday’s outcome — would be allowed to speak.
“But if you’re just some crank from town who feels like there’s too many car washes, for example, you don’t have standing,” Blanchard said.
Ultimately, two residents were approved to speak during the hearing per quasi-judicial rules. Tom Brown said he lives within a mile from the retention pond planned for Dunbar. Brown indicated he was concerned about flooding.
“I’m in direct connection and conversation with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and you’ll be hearing from me,” Brown said.
Resident Andrea Johnson didn’t list concerns but questioned if there were plans to expand Pender Medical Center as the population grows.
Mayor Olivia Dawson said she didn’t know of any, but it was definitely a consideration in future development conversations.
During the hearing, CSD Engineering’s Howard Resnick spoke on behalf of the project and reminded the audience the infrastructure for the homes already exists because of three other phases built out.
“We’ll still have to go back and renew many permits, or update many of these permits, including stormwater management and roof control and water and sewer as well as obtaining NCDOT permits for access,” Resnick said.
The board of commissioners didn’t discuss the preliminary plat before voting for the approval.
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