Pittsboro commissioners approve two annexations, adopt road-closing ordinance and create assistant town manager/finance position

The Pittsboro Board of Commissioners on Aug. 11 approved two voluntary annexations, adopted an ordinance permanently closing a portion of Settles Road and approved a new assistant town manager/finance director position description and grade.

The actions come as town staff prepare a town-hall initial report and steer planning for a new park near Robeson Creek. During public comment a resident raised concerns about potential flooding and a proposed housing development near an existing nursing home.

The board approved a voluntary contiguous annexation petition from Chatham Park Investors LLC for 12.999 acres on Hillway Road (PIN 94479, partial parcel) and a second petition for 15.04 acres east of Chatham Parkway and north of U.S. 64. Both petitions were presented by the applicant’s representative, Willard Ravenel, who described the parcels as undeveloped and available to answer questions. Both annexations were approved following public hearings and motions by board members.

At the public hearing for the larger parcel, commissioners noted the site provides right-of-way for two roads that will access the Womble Track area behind the hospital. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition at either annexation hearing.

On a separate agenda item the board adopted an ordinance permanently closing a portion of Settles Road after the state Department of Transportation removed that segment from the state highway system. Paul Joplin, speaking to the board during the hearing, urged commissioners to adopt the ordinance, saying, “Since there’s no one here to object to that, I hope you will consider the ordinance that officially closes it saying nobody is adversely affected by the closure.”

The board also approved a revised position description and grade for an assistant town manager/finance director, an administrative change the board discussed as not affecting the current year’s budget. One commissioner praised staff and the finance team for handling the change without budgetary impact.

During public comment Dawn Saunders of 324 Oakwood Drive urged the board to reconsider nearby development known locally as the Corbington development, saying the site contains an old swale and berm laid during 19th-century railroad construction that she fears helps manage stormwater. “If this development disrupts that, there’s gonna be a lot of water going into Tar Creek, which is already having flooding concerns,” Saunders said, referencing recent storms and a wastewater spill earlier this summer.

The meeting concluded after the board entered closed session to consult the town attorney and discuss personnel matters under North Carolina General Statutes cited by the board.

Votes at a glance

- Annexation: Chatham Park Investors LLC (A202502PB25278), 12.999 acres on Hillway Road — motion to approve following public hearing; mover: Commissioner Farrell; second: Mr. Foley; outcome: approved (board recorded ayes).

- Annexation: Chatham Park Investors LLC (A202503PB25275), 15.04 acres east of Chatham Parkway and north of U.S. 64 — motion to approve following public hearing; mover: Mr. Foley; second: Commissioner Farrell; outcome: approved (board recorded ayes).

- Ordinance: Permanent closure of a portion of Settles Road — motion to adopt ordinance; mover and second entered on the record; outcome: adopted (board recorded ayes). The board noted DOT had removed the segment from the state highway system.

- Position approval: Proposed assistant town manager/finance director position description and grade — motion to approve the position description and grade; mover and second entered on the record; outcome: approved (board recorded ayes).

What happened next

The board entered closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11 to consult the town attorney and discuss personnel; they returned and adjourned without further public action announced.