Blue Ridge council approves rezoning for small multifamily duplex development after residents raise street, water concerns

The Blue Ridge City Council approved rezoning a 0.92198-acre tract on South Morrow and South Main Street to an R-2 multifamily district, clearing the way for four duplex buildings (eight units) proposed by Entoro Properties.

Supporters and opponents packed the public comment portion of the meeting to voice concerns about narrow roads, deteriorated pavement and aging water and sewer lines. Developer representative Miss Mondragon described the planned buildings as "single story duplexes, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, individual driveways, 2 car garage," and said lease terms would cap occupancy and vehicles: "maximum of 2 vehicles, maximum family of 4, maximum of 2 pets allowed, minimum of 12 month lease."

The nut graf: The council approved the zoning change even as nearby residents urged limits on density and asked the city to address street, sewer and water infrastructure before more construction. The decision rezones the parcel but does not finalize building plans or permits; those will require subsequent plan reviews and inspections.

In public comment, Camille Shen, who lives at 320 South Morrow Street, said, "That's just overcrowding that little street that we live on already," arguing the road could not handle added traffic. Jacqueeta Morris, also of 320 South Main Street, warned of failing underground infrastructure and said, "the water lines, the whole infrastructure needs to be improved before you start putting a lot of this building going on in this town because it just won't handle it." Tom Williams asked whether the city has or will update a comprehensive plan; a staff member replied the city plans to update its comprehensive development plan this year.

Council members discussed lot dimensions and setbacks and repeated that site-specific plans must meet subdivision and setback requirements and will go through the city's inspection and planning process (Bureau Veritas is the city's inspection contractor). A staff speaker explained the property is elongated between the two streets and amounts to less than one acre; dividing by four yields "less than a quarter of an acre for each building." Council members noted that zoning approval establishes permitted use but that detailed engineering, setbacks and inspections will be required before construction.

Action and next steps: Councilmember motioned and seconded the rezoning; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The developer will return later with building plans and code compliance checks. Residents were told they will receive standard public notices on the agenda process and were encouraged to subscribe to the city's notification system for future agendas.

Ending: The rezoning clears a regulatory hurdle but leaves open infrastructure and site-plan questions raised by residents; subsequent permitting and plan-review steps will determine whether the proposed duplexes are built as presented.