Planning board backs rezoning for 305 Jones Road, approving up to 41 townhomes

The Fuquay-Varina Planning Board on May 20 recommended approval of a zoning map amendment and corresponding land-use plan change for 305 Jones Road that would allow a conditional residential high-density district and a multifamily neighborhood land-use designation, enabling a 41-unit townhome project.

The petition, filed by Concept 8 Holdings LLC and presented by attorney John Adcock, requested rezoning of 4.42 acres from residential low-density to residential high-density conditional zoning and a land-use plan amendment from Town Center Residential to Multifamily Neighborhood. “The petitioner has... offered a condition that would limit the units to 9.28 units per acre with for a total of 41 units total,” Adcock told the board, noting that the requested intensity is about 58 percent of the maximum allowed under RHD zoning.

Staff advised the board that while the requested zoning was not initially consistent with the 2040 Community Vision land use plan’s Town Center Residential (TCR) designation, the applicant requested an LUP change to Multifamily Neighborhood, which staff said is compatible with the proposed zoning. Staff also cited the Town’s 2040 LUP policies supporting infill within the Judd Parkway loop and transitional intensities near existing development as reasons the change was reasonable and in the public interest.

Public commenters expressed mixed views. Resident Susan Moran said she was “in opposite opposition” and preferred the property remain low density, raising concerns about drainage, views from proposed balconies, and proximity to existing single-family lots. Another resident, Marie (surname unclear in the record), said traffic on Judd Parkway is already heavy and asked who would address additional congestion and runoff; she said, “That's 400 more cars” when referring to nearby approved townhouse projects. Spring Hill Homeowners Association president Roger Hayes said his group was not opposed to the units but urged attention to a neighboring property with quality-of-life concerns that he has reported to police.

The applicant described conditions offered with the rezoning to reduce impacts: a 20-foot Type B buffer along the western boundary adjoining Southern Oaks (which already has a 15-foot landscape easement), street-tree plantings in alleys, architectural standards prohibiting vinyl siding (except trim), anti-monotony rules on elevations, and a site plan concept limiting the use to townhomes rather than multifamily buildings. Adcock said the site contains no environmentally sensitive features such as streams or wetlands and that utilities are adjacent to the parcel.

Board members asked staff about the scope of improvements to Jones Road. Staff said Jones Road does not currently connect through the northern parcel line and that the developer would be responsible for constructing the connection and installing curb, gutter, and sidewalk on the developer’s side. Staff also said stormwater and erosion-control measures will be reviewed with construction drawing submittal and are governed by state law requiring pre- and post-development runoff control.

After discussion, a board member moved to recommend approval; a second followed and the motion carried. The record shows the planning board recommended the Town Board approve the rezoning and corresponding land-use amendment.

The item now moves to the town board with the planning board’s recommendation and the petition’s conditions attached for further review and any required technical approvals (traffic analysis, construction drawings, stormwater permitting) during subsequent plan-review stages.