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Nottingham residents tell Mount Airy planners annexation would change small‑town character; traffic and environmental risks cited
Summary
Multiple Nottingham residents told the Mount Airy Planning Commission they oppose annexation for a proposed sports complex, citing a neighborhood poll, lack of road infrastructure, stormwater and water‑quality concerns, and potential loss of open space.
Three Nottingham residents addressed the Planning Commission during the Nov. 24 public‑comment period, urging commissioners to weigh neighborhood impacts before recommending annexation to Town Council.
Amanda Everett, a town resident who said hundreds responded to a neighborhood poll, told commissioners that 96% of respondents opposed the structure and argued the complex would undermine Mount Airy’s ‘‘small‑town charm’’ and intrude on residents’ daily views. Dwayne Cordray, a longtime Nottingham homeowner and coach who visited a comparator facility in Fairfax County, said Mount Airy lacks the highway access, parking and nearby lodging that make large sports complexes economically self‑sustaining and that the facility would sit too close to homes. Marichelle Payne Gassway highlighted the town’s 2020 survey preference for nature trails and open space (61.6% preference cited) and warned that Wattersville Road is not a major artery suitable for sports‑tourism traffic.
Residents raised environmental and safety questions, including concerns about stormwater runoff and the potential for pollutants to reach local wells. Commissioners recorded those concerns in the addendum and discussed how the APFO/site‑plan review will require more detailed water‑use, stormwater and wastewater information, to be examined by the town engineer and relevant county/state agencies.
Chair Ralph Gantt told the public their comments would be included in the addendum and that the commission intends to finalize its edits and present a recommendation to Town Council during the Jan. 26 meeting cycle.
