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Residents urge council to reject Sandalwood rezoning over drainage, traffic and density concerns
Summary
Dozens of residents told the Louisburg Town Council during public comment that a developer'proposed rezoning on Sandalwood Avenue (variously described in testimony as 52'53 units) would overwhelm local roads, increase flooding risk and harm neighborhood character.
Louisburg ' Residents from neighborhoods off Sandalwood Avenue told the Louisburg Town Council at its October meeting they oppose a pending rezoning that they say would more than double allowed density and create traffic and drainage risks.
The speakers asked the council to delay or reject a developer'backed rezoning request that multiple commenters described as expanding a previously approved 25'unit plan into a roughly 52' to 54'unit proposal. "If they plan on putting 53 units on that little piece of property, they gotta build that whole Hazelwood," said Paul Botea, a resident of Tablewood Drive, describing concerns about raised lots, retention ponds and the potential for runoff toward adjacent homes.
Residents framed their objections around several recurring themes: traffic and access, stormwater/drainage capacity, potential for structural damage during construction, and loss of long'standing neighborhood character. "It's the quality of life back there," said Botea. "We have older people that's been living there 30 to 40 years, 50 years. And it's gonna ruin the area." Willis Mullins Jr., who also lives on Pinewood Circle, pressed the council directly: "Would y'all like 52 apartments in your area?"
Why it matters: Commenters said the neighborhood has limited entry and exit points, no storm drainage improvements and sensitive topography near Fox Creek that make added density risky. Kathy Malins, a Pinewood Circle resident of 37 years, recalled flooding during Tropical Storm Fran: "When Fran came through here in 1996 ... Waters exceeded the riverbanks, came up over the power lines, and into my backyard, probably up to my waist." Malins said she and other neighbors fear that more units and additional impervious surface could increase the chance and severity of flooding in the same area.
Council procedure and current status: Earlier in the meeting the council removed the planned public hearing on zoning from tonight's agenda at the developer's request; the council subsequently approved the amended agenda. Several residents noted that the rezoning matter has been tabled at prior meetings. Commenters asked the council to require traffic studies, environmental or drainage assessments, and more detailed engineering plans before considering rezoning or any final approvals.
Supporting details from residents: Neighbors described existing drainage problems and tall grass along utility easements. Botea said equipment already struggles to maintain the sewer line area: "You can't even get past my house on Tanglewood without sinking the tractor." Residents also warned of secondary impacts: potential rodent displacement during tree clearing, construction vibration that could affect foundations, and increased nightly traffic.
Developer and proposal specifics: Multiple commenters referred to Traeger Homes as the project applicant and said the company previously received approval for 25 units but now seeks substantially more. Residents said the developer had filed planned deviations and that landscape and erosion controls described in the developer's review were deficient; those specifics were cited from public comments and characterized as "not sufficient" by attendees. The transcript did not include a developer presentation or an engineered traffic/drainage study for the council to consider tonight.
Next steps and outstanding questions: Speakers asked the council to visit the site together and to request formal studies before holding a public hearing or taking a vote. Several residents asked the council to require: (1) traffic impact analysis showing ingress/egress capacity for the nearby cul'de'sac and connections to Biggett and Nash streets; (2) engineered stormwater and erosion control plans for proposed retention ponds; and (3) clear limits on any planned deviations from the town's land'use standards.
Ending: The rezoning was not heard tonight after the council removed the item from the agenda at the developer's request; residents asked the council to keep the matter on future agendas only after the town has received traffic and drainage analyses and after a site visit by council members.
