Davidson County commissioners deny rezoning request for Southmont sports complex after heated public hearing

Davidson County commissioners voted on June 9 to deny a request to rezone 358.63 acres in Cotton Grove Township from RS and RA1/RA2 classifications to a newly created Community Recreational (CR) district after a public hearing that drew dozens of speakers and repeated objections from residents.

The property, which county planning staff described as the likely site for a county sports complex, had drawn sustained criticism from Southmont residents who said the proposal would overwhelm local roads, strain sewer and other infrastructure, and bring evening lighting and noise to a residential area.

The rezoning request was introduced as a change that county staff said was largely symbolic. "This rezoning is largely symbolic," county planning staff member Lee told the board during the hearing, explaining that a community center use could already be built under the property's existing zoning. That statement, and the possibility that the project could proceed without the rezoning, increased residents' concerns about notification and transparency.

Neighbors who spoke against the rezoning cited traffic on two‑lane NC Highway 8 and narrow local roads, sewer capacity near the school and nearby businesses, parking and potential light and noise impacts on backyards. "If there's not enough capacity now, how will we manage dozens of tournaments, teams, spectators every weekend?" Angela Kleinard, a Southmont business owner, told the commissioners. "We deserve answers, not assumptions."

Several speakers also challenged the county's outreach. "This was kept under wraps and you didn't allow the community to give their input," said resident Philip Hernandez, saying most neighbors learned of the plan only after signs were posted on the property.

County staff and proponents described the request as a way to flag recreational assets on the zoning map and to help prospective buyers understand the nature of adjacent land uses. "The intent of the community recreation district is to provide a sense of community with respect to where recreational amenities are located," county staff Lee said. Staff also told the board that the rezoning process followed statutory notice requirements, including direct notices to adjoining property owners and posted signs.

Even with those explanations, the board moved to deny the rezoning request after public comment, with commissioners citing the volume of community concern and outstanding questions about infrastructure and impacts. The denial preserves the property's existing RS/RA zoning designations.

Commissioners and staff cautioned that the denial of the rezoning does not by itself prohibit the county from developing the site under existing zoning allowances. County planning staff repeated that a community center-type facility could be built under current classifications and said the rezoning was intended mainly to place a publicly recognized recreational designation on the map. Residents expressed frustration that project planning appears to be moving forward while many details remain unresolved.

The board did not vote on or approve any engineering, traffic or environmental impact studies during the meeting. County staff said those studies would be part of later design and permitting steps if the project proceeds.

The public hearing on the rezoning drew repeated requests from residents for clearer maps, environmental and traffic impact studies, and direct communications from staff. Commissioners directed staff to keep communication lines open and to provide additional information to residents at their request.