Waynesville council annexes 5.48‑acre Plott Creek parcel and approves rezoning after heated public hearing

The Town of Waynesville on a voice vote approved annexation of a 5.48‑acre parcel at 1399 Plott Creek Road and adopted a companion rezoning to the Plott Creek Neighborhood Residential district, a move proponents said would allow municipal sewer service and opponents said would risk local character and strain infrastructure.

The council opened a public hearing on the annexation and heard multiple residents and nearby property owners raise concerns about sewer capacity, traffic, proximity to Hazelwood Elementary, and whether previously endorsed conservation commitments would be honored. Tom Morgan, a neighboring property owner, said the town’s sewer “doesn’t have unlimited capacity” and urged caution. Kevin Fitzgerald read a statement arguing the earlier project had not produced affordable housing and warning of downstream impacts to water quality and traffic.

William Atchord, vice president at Southwood Realty and Triangle Real Estate, told the council the parcel is contiguous to the existing Palisades at Plott Creek phase‑1 development and that utility connections (water and sewer) are adjacent; he said the developer intends to preserve steep slopes and limit building scale. Planning staff noted the parcel is in the town’s urban services boundary, that a narrow strip of the site lies in a mapped floodplain, and that the planning board unanimously recommended rezoning to match the adjoining district.

Council debate centered on two tests one member said he applies to growth: whether a project is the right thing for town residents, and whether the town can afford to maintain the infrastructure it creates. That council member said traffic and other concerns from the original phase proved less severe than feared, but warned the pace of apartment approvals has outstripped housing affordability gains. Other members cited the need for more housing and the benefit of having development subject to town zoning and standards.

A motion to adopt the annexation ordinance passed by voice vote and was recorded in the minutes as “3 to 1.” The council then opened and closed a second public hearing and adopted the map amendment to rezone the property to Plott Creek Neighborhood Residential, which sets density and design standards intended to guide future site plan review.

Next steps: with annexation and rezoning adopted, the applicant may pursue rezoning‑related site plan approvals, stormwater and floodplain reviews, and any required utility allocations. The council noted the rezoning does not automatically approve a building plan; all future development will be reviewed under town standards.