Commissioners approve Old Lewis School Road conditional rezoning for 90‑lot development

The Nash County Board of Commissioners voted to approve conditional rezoning request CZ‑250102 on Oct. 6, allowing the Old Lewis School Road property to be developed as a 90‑lot single‑family subdivision under RA‑30 conditional zoning.

What the board approved: The rezoning allows minimum lot sizes of 30,000 square feet and prohibits single‑ and double‑wide manufactured homes that are otherwise allowed in the existing R‑40 zoning. The plan presented by Site Advice Inc. proposes seven new public roads, nine special‑purpose lots for common areas, two community wells to serve potable water and an on‑site community wastewater package plant that would treat and irrigate treated effluent on adjacent land under state permitting.

Why it mattered: Nash County staff said the sketch plan is designed to protect streams and riparian buffers on the property and concentrate open space and stormwater infrastructure, with only six of the ninety lots falling within a water‑protection natural resources area on the parcel. The planning board deadlocked on the request earlier in the year; technical review and staff recommended approval with conditions.

Public comment: Dozens of residents from Old Lewis School Road and nearby subdivisions opposed the request at public hearings, citing concerns about flooding, the location of the package wastewater plant, impacts on the Buckhorn Reservoir watershed, traffic, utility capacity, and the effects of increased density on the rural character of the area. Speakers asked the board to retain R‑40 zoning, which would produce fewer rooftop impacts and less impervious surface overall. Several residents noted prior flood events and said the site includes low‑lying “bowl‑like” areas.

Developer presentation and safeguards: John Woodliff of Site Advice told the board the plan provides roughly 23% open space, is averaging about 33,000 square feet per lot (about 15% larger than the RA‑30 minimum), and includes three stormwater ponds sized to manage sizable storms. He said the community wells will be drilled deeper than nearby private wells and that drip irrigation for treated effluent would be regulated by the state; he also noted the project’s estimated low density (about 0.8 units/acre).

Board action and conditions: Commissioners discussed the tradeoffs between R‑40 and RA‑30 development, the adequacy of community utility systems, and flood and septic concerns. A motion to approve the rezoning was made and seconded; the board voted to approve the conditional rezoning. Staff noted several development conditions would apply, including adherence to the submitted sketch plan, formation of a property owner's association, state permitting for on‑site utilities, and other standard requirements.

Speakers (excerpt): - John Woodliff, Site Advice Inc. (engineer for applicant) - Dawn Tucker, Old Lewis School Road resident (public commenter) - Scott Cena, resident (public commenter) - Marvin Turnage, adjacent landowner (public commenter) - Wilbur Cheney (public commenter) - Commissioners Davis, Wilkins, Leggett and others

Authorities: [{"type":"policy","name":"Nash County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (future land use map)","referenced_by":["Adam Tyson"]}]

Actions: [{"kind":"land_use","identifiers":{"project_slug":"CZ250102"},"motion":"Motion to approve conditional rezoning CZ250102 per staff recommended conditions","mover":"Commissioner Davis","second":"Commissioner Wilkins","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{"met":true,"notes":"Approval adopted at Oct. 6 meeting"},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Development to proceed under RA-30 conditional zoning with conditions including property owners association and state permits for community water and wastewater systems."}]

Clarifying details: [{"category":"site_size","detail":"Subject parcel acreage","value":110,"units":"acres","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Adam Tyson"},{"category":"proposed_lots","detail":"Number of proposed residential lots under RA-30 plan","value":90,"units":"lots","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Adam Tyson"},{"category":"community_water","detail":"Proposed number of community wells","value":2,"units":"wells","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Adam Tyson"},{"category":"wastewater","detail":"Community package wastewater plant with drip irrigation disposal; regulated by NCDEQ","value":"on-site package plant","units":"","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Adam Tyson"}]

Proper_names:[{"name":"Old Lewis School Road","type":"location"},{"name":"Site Advice Inc.","type":"organization"},{"name":"Buckhorn Reservoir","type":"location"}]

Community relevance: {"geographies":["Southern Nash County","Old Lewis School Road"],"funding_sources":[],"impact_groups":["adjacent homeowners","future residents","watershed/recreation users"]}

Meeting_context:{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":12,"duration_minutes":60,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"medium","history":[{"date":"2025-01-28","note":"Previously considered by planning board; developer later revised plans and returned to RA-30 approach."}]}

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