Wilson County planning board recommends approval of Hailey Ridge preliminary plat with 10-foot buffer

The Wilson County Planning Board recommended approval of the Hailey Ridge preliminary plat, a 94‑lot subdivision on a 185.35‑acre tract at 4540 Hartz Mill Road in Gardeners Township, subject to a stipulation that a 10‑foot wide buffer of staggered Nellie R. Stevens shrubs (spaced 20 feet apart) be planted along unbuffered areas adjoining adjacent farmland.

Board members said the proposal aligns with the county's 2045 Wilson Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the AR (agricultural/residential) character area designation. Planning staff presented the site as a 185.35‑acre parcel owned by the Z Royce Bissett Family Trust with a combined roadway frontage of approximately 6,384 feet, county water available to the site, and private on‑site septic systems proposed for homes.

The board discussed access, environmental constraints and driveway permits. Staff said Lots 35, 36 and 37 will have individual driveways fronting Hartz Mill Road (presented as the primary entrance) and that driveways and any crossing of a pond or wet area would require permits and coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and applicable floodplain or engineering reviews. Staff also said wetlands and stormwater features within the subdivision would be managed as part of homeowners association (HOA) responsibilities and would be defined on the final plat.

One planning board member proposed the 10‑foot planting buffer, recommending staggered shrub plantings to delineate the new subdivision from adjacent active farmland and to reduce potential nuisance or trespass issues. Planning staff supported staggering plantings 20 feet apart within a 10‑foot buffer as a practical measure to mark property lines while minimizing shading of adjacent farmland.

A board member moved the recommendation: "I move that the Wilson County Planning Board recommend approval of preliminary plat for Hailey Ridge located at 4540 Hartz Mill Road in Gardeners Township for the subdivision of approximately a 185.35 acres parcel into 94 lots. This recommendation is based upon the plans consistency with the 2045 comprehensive plan. Approval is subject to the proposed development conditions. And I would like to add to that, a condition of a 10 foot wide buffer of Nellie R. Stevens shrubs that are staggered 20 foot apart, along the unbuffered areas adjoining the farmland on the parcel between Landfill and Hartz Mill." The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote; Planning Board member Lori Jones recused herself from the Hailey Ridge vote.

Votes at a glance - Hailey Ridge preliminary plat (4540 Hartz Mill Road, Gardeners Township): Recommendation to approve preliminary plat for 94 lots on 185.35 acres with condition of 10‑foot wide buffer of staggered Nellie R. Stevens shrubs along unbuffered farmland edges. Outcome: motion carried by voice vote; one recusal (Lori Jones). Specific individual vote counts were not recorded in the transcript.

- Knights Acres subdivision (5071 Weber Road, Gardeners Township): Planning staff presented a 10.55‑acre tract owned by Carl and Candice Knight proposing a 4‑lot subdivision; county water is available but the rear portion of the property lies within a special flood hazard area. Staff noted Lot 4 is largely in the flood hazard area and that building on a floodplain would require a floodplain development permit and elevation/certification from an engineer. The board approved the preliminary plat by voice vote. Outcome: motion carried by voice vote; individual counts not specified.

- Planning Board calendar and workshop schedule: The board voted to adopt a calendar that includes a Wednesday workshop at 5 p.m. approximately a week and a half before regular meetings to allow staff and members to review agenda items and questions in advance. Outcome: motion carried by voice vote.

Why it matters The Hailey Ridge recommendation moves a large residential subdivision forward in an area the county characterizes for low‑density residential and agricultural uses. The added buffer condition seeks to reduce conflicts between new lots and ongoing agricultural operations on adjacent properties. The planning board's approvals also underscore recurring technical issues for rural subdivisions: driveway and DOT permitting, wetland and floodplain constraints, and long‑term maintenance responsibilities for HOA‑managed stormwater areas.

What happens next The Hailey Ridge preliminary plat recommendation will be transmitted to the appropriate county decision‑making authority for final plat and permitting steps. Developers must complete required engineering, DOT driveway permits, any required floodplain permits, and provide final plat documentation showing easements and HOA responsibilities before construction permits are issued.