Planning board recommends approval of True Love Farm preliminary plat on Trulove Road

The Fuquay-Varina Planning Board voted to recommend approval of the preliminary subdivision plat for True Love Farm (PR2024-08), a proposed 50-lot zero-lot-line development at 7650 Trulove Road on 23.84 acres.

The recommendation came after staff presented the plat and board members asked questions about design standards and lot maintenance. Planning staff said the project meets the town's Land Development Ordinance standards for zero-lot-line developments and the minimum lot dimensions and setbacks required by the LDO.

Josh, planning staff, told the board the preliminary plat proposes 50 lot-line lots with a minimum lot width of 50 feet and a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet; he said the proposed average lot size is 6,156 square feet. He said the LDO requires 15% open space (about 3.58 acres) and the applicant is providing 57.29% open space (13.66 acres). He said roughly 50% of the required open space — about 1.79 acres — is planned as an activated common green with amenities that include benches, two open play fields, picnic tables, shade boards, and a mulch trail.

Josh described vehicular access as coming from Fuquay-Varina Parkway and a proposed extension of Fox Chapel Place connecting into the Hidden Valley subdivision to the south. He said public water and sewer are available. He also corrected an error in the staff report, asking that the engineering firm be recorded as Timmins Group rather than Curry Engineering.

Board members asked how zero-lot-line configurations are enforced and how maintenance easements work when foundations or walls cross lot lines. Josh and another board speaker said the LDO contains standards governing how far walls may extend past structures and noted permitting will require verification — including as-built foundation surveys — when setbacks are tight. A planning staff reference to the town's inspection process and to Chris Hennet in the inspections department indicated that foundations as-built may be required where side setbacks leave only inches of leeway.

A board member moved to recommend approval “as presented and recommended.” The motion was seconded; the board voted in favor and the motion carried.

The board did not record individual vote names or a tally in the meeting transcript; the action was recorded as a recommendation to the town board. The applicant and the project's designer were present at the meeting for questions.