Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council rezones Highway 401 parcel for planned development; developers propose 94 homes
Summary
The council approved rezoning Franklin County parcel 033007 from a Special Highway Overlay District to a Planned Development; developers plan a mixed‑use family community (Terravida) of about 94 homes but must secure future development approvals and sewer funding before construction.
The Town of Louisburg council voted to rezone Franklin County parcel 033007 from Special Highway Overlay District to Planned Development (PDD) during its March 2025 meeting after a staff presentation and council questions about infrastructure and design.
The vote matters because the rezoning permits the developer to pursue a mixed‑use residential plan called Terravida that proposes about 94 homes — primarily townhomes with a portion of single‑family lots — and a homeowners association to govern covenants. Council approval of the rezoning is the first step; the developer must obtain future development approvals, address sewer and lift‑station capacity, and secure any required state permits before building.
Planning staff described the proposal as a mixed‑use family community with an estimated price range for home types between $280,000 and $450,000 and about 94 total units (roughly 60–63 townhomes and the remainder single‑family). The developer had reached an agreement with an adjacent property owner on a perimeter buffer; covenants proposed for the HOA will prohibit residential solar panels under the current draft covenants. Planner Harry Satterwhite said the area is shown as a gateway district in the comprehensive plan and calls for mixed‑use development.
Council members asked about timing and infrastructure. Staff said rezoning does not authorize construction and that development approval would be required before any building could begin. Council and staff confirmed the Green Hill lift station would be used for sewer service to the project but that the town currently lacks funding to upgrade the lift station; the town intends to reapply for funding in early April. The council and staff said they would not grant construction approvals until sewer capacity and other development conditions are resolved. DOT will be consulted on driveway access; the developer proposed a right‑in/right‑out entrance with DOT making final determinations.
Several council members and the economic development committee recommended stronger greenway and pedestrian connections between new subdivisions and nearby commercial areas; staff said sidewalks and some open space are in the plan but that greenways were not shown on the submitted plan. The council approved the zoning map amendment by voice vote; no roll‑call tally appears in the transcript.
