Planning commission approves concept plan for Twin Arch Lot 15C; owners to provide Phase I ESA and finalize fence details

The Mount Airy Planning Commission granted conditional approval of the concept site plan for Kings Sports Construction’s proposed development on Lot 15C in Twin Arch Business Park (2310 Back Acre Circle). Staff recommended and the commission approved conditions that require the applicant to address town and county comments, finalize legal documents and public-works agreements, store turf-recycling materials under cover, abandon and inspect any existing wells and septic systems, and provide a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for property to be deeded to the town.

John and Christina King, property owners, and their representative Ron Thompson said the project will include a flex-office building and relates to existing turf-recycling operations already on the larger parcel. The site has received prior APFO (adequate public facilities) certifications and a fire-and-rescue adequacy statement; staff said those documents are now on file. Commissioners discussed landscape screening, the length and material of a proposed chain-link fence and whether slats or other screening should be detailed on the final plan so the parcel is not visually intrusive from nearby Back Acre Circle.

Commissioner discussion included request for a fencing detail on the final site-development plan and clarification that no residential uses will be allowed on the industrial-zoned parcel. Staff noted that certain previously required items (open-space waiver) had been satisfied and that the Phase I ESA is needed before the town takes deeded open space. The commission read and adopted staff conditions: address all town/county comments; provide legal documents, easements, PWAs and bonding before grading or building permits; store turf-recycling materials in waterproof bags or under cover; prohibit residential use on the parcel; abandon and inspect existing wells/septic systems with reports provided to the town; and provide a Phase I ESA for the lot portion to be deeded to the town. The commission also requested a detail showing the final fence and any privacy screening intended to line the property.

The motion to grant conditional approval was seconded and passed by voice vote. Town staff said the project will return for a final site-development plan where the conditions will be verified and the fencing/screening detail will be included.