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Goldsboro council approves multiple rezonings, advances housing projects
Summary
The Goldsboro City Council on Nov. 3 approved several conditional rezonings and a special-use permit to advance housing projects, including a 174‑lot Eagles Reach subdivision, the Borden Mills mill‑conversion for 144 units, and infill triplexes; the Tucker Trace proposal was continued for more review after strong resident opposition over stormwater and traffic.
Goldsboro — The Goldsboro City Council approved a set of land-use actions at its Nov. 3 meeting that will move several large housing projects forward while delaying one controversial proposal for more local review.
Council approved a special‑use permit for an accessory dwelling at 120 Kelly Drive (SU 11‑25) after planning staff recommended the use was consistent with R‑20 zoning and applicable supplemental standards. The four quasi‑judicial motions required for special‑use approval (no material endangerment to public health or safety; not substantially injuring adjoining property; harmony with existing development; conformity with the comprehensive plan) passed on unanimous roll‑call votes.
The council also unanimously approved conditional rezoning CZ‑3‑25, branded “Eagles Reach,” a 43.24‑acre proposal off US‑70 West and Isaac Smith Road that will rezone county parcels to an R‑6 conditional zoning district with a General Business (GB) component for three commercial lots. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions that include required road and utility dedications, a 20‑ to 28‑foot landscape buffer, enhanced open space, and explicit exclusions from the GB allowed‑uses list. Developer representatives told council they had addressed water‑pressure concerns raised in earlier reviews (they presented a post‑test model and said the connection would nearly double available flow at the nearby hydrant) and agreed to a fire‑flow condition; council approved the rezoning 6‑0.
Borden Mills, a long‑planned mill‑conversion project on North Williams Street, received unanimous approval for a General Business conditional zoning (CZ‑625) that allows the owner to renovate the mill complex into approximately 144 apartments and townhomes with streetscape improvements, a 20‑foot deeded greenway easement and rehabilitation of historic features (water tower and smokestack) under State Historic Preservation Office review. Planning staff required that the residential component be market‑rate and workforce housing, and conditioned exterior rehabilitation on Department of Interior standards for historic rehabilitation; council voted 6‑0 to adopt the conditions.
Council also approved a small infill conditional rezoning for two triplexes (CZ‑725, "Village 1") on Wilmington Avenue intended to provide six one‑bedroom units oriented to workforce or LMI households. The request included site‑specific deviations for lot size and rear setbacks and passed unanimously after staff and the applicant described parking, design and setback adjustments.
One major item did not advance. Tucker Trace (CZ‑4‑25), a roughly 56‑acre proposal for 120 single‑family lots and four commercial lots on Tommy’s Road, drew extended public testimony from nearby landowners who raised detailed stormwater, traffic and compatibility concerns and referenced a prior conditionally approved plan and buffer agreements. After sustained public comment and requests for additional technical review, council voted unanimously to continue the Tucker Trace public hearing and leave the record open until the council's Jan. 5, 2026 meeting so neighbors, developers and staff can negotiate additional conditions.
Why it matters: The approvals move multiple housing projects into site‑plan and permitting phases, with conditions that attempt to address infrastructure, stormwater, fire protection and design standards. The Tucker Trace continuance shows that council will demand additional technical assurances and neighborhood outreach before approving higher‑density conversions in edge neighborhoods.
What council said: Planning staff repeatedly emphasized that the recommended approvals were conditioned to meet City of Goldsboro development standards and that each conditional zoning includes enforceable conditions. Developers pledged further fire‑flow and site‑access work and, for Borden Mills, historic‑preservation review.
What comes next: Approved projects proceed to preliminary subdivision, TRC and administrative site‑plan reviews with the conditions adopted by council; Tucker Trace returns on Jan. 5, 2026 for additional hearing and decision.
