Board tables contentious Langtree Road rezoning after hours of public comment

The Mooresville Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17 voted to table a conditional rezoning request for a 15.35‑acre parcel off Langtree Road after more than an hour of staff presentations, an applicant overview and extensive public comment.

Planner Sandy Howe summarized the petition (CZ‑2024‑13), saying the site is currently zoned residential limited service (RLS) and under by‑right rules would allow 30 single‑family detached homes. The applicant, Mattamy Homes, asked to rezone the parcel to a conditional traditional neighborhood (C‑TN) to allow 78 attached single‑family (townhome) units — about 5.8 dwelling units per acre — with a concept plan that includes 3.83 acres of preserved/tree‑save area and 1.34 acres of active open space. Howe said staff found the petition consistent with the town’s map amendment standards and the planning board gave a unanimous recommendation of approval on Oct. 22, 2024.

Attorney Colin Brown and the Mattamy team described the parcel as a transition site between established low‑density single‑family development (Pin Oak Lane/Oak Harbor) and higher‑density townhomes and commercial uses nearer the interstate. Brown said the project would provide open space and a waterfront overlook; Mattamy committed to a wood‑stained fence and landscaping buffer along the property line adjacent to existing townhomes and to provide three residential units priced to be “attainable” for households at or below 120% of area median income.

Traffic consultant Michael (Design Resource Group) said a traffic impact analysis completed Oct. 7, 2024 determined no additional developer road improvements were required at evaluated intersections; an NCDOT permit and a town driveway permit will be required for proposed connections. The applicant said it plans internal sidewalks and a 10‑foot multiuse path along its frontage; however, a parcel between the site and nearby businesses remains in separate ownership and the applicant said NCDOT has not agreed to a marked crossing at Langtree Road.

Multiple speakers from neighboring communities opposed the rezoning during the public hearing, citing tree loss, potential reduction in adjacent property values, three‑story building heights overlooking two‑story homes, and lake‑access and public‑safety concerns. Resident Kathleen Warwick presented a petition with about 60 signatures and economic comparisons she said showed properties that back to trees sell at higher prices; several residents asked that the development retain more of the existing tree canopy on the town side. Others said they supported removing a vehicular connection to Pin Oak Lane and replacing it with a pedestrian or no connection; residents and the applicant said Mattamy later revised plans to accept a waiver of the vehicular link and to provide only a pedestrian connection or no connection depending on final approval.

After discussion, Commissioner Dingler moved to table the rezoning for 90 days to allow the applicant to work with residents and staff on revisions; Commissioner Qualls seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Town staff and the applicant said they would return to the board on May 19; the related voluntary annexation and utility‑extension request was also tabled to the same date.

The record from the meeting documents the applicant’s commitments on architecture, material standards (no vinyl siding), off‑site permitting requirements, and three attainable units; it also records neighbors’ concerns about tree protection, buffering, height and potential impacts to school and traffic, which staff said were addressed in part by the traffic study and by proposed site design changes presented by the applicant. The Planning Department will post any revised concept plan and staff analysis ahead of the May 19 hearing.