Greenville Council Approves Annexation and Rezoning for 119-Acre RDP Development Despite Traffic Concerns
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Summary
The Greenville City Council voted 6-0 to annex roughly 119 acres owned by RDP Management Consulting LLC and rezone it to RS-9, enabling about 340–350 single-family lots. Residents raised safety and infrastructure concerns; staff said NCDOT-mandated turn lanes and required traffic studies will guide mitigations.
Greenville — The City Council on Dec. 11 approved an annexation and zoning change for about 119.163 acres on Mills Road and Wolf Pit Road, authorizing a residential buildout that staff estimates could yield 340 to 350 single-family lots. City planner Chris Kelly said staff’s analysis estimates the proposed zoning would generate about 3,300 daily trips, an increase of roughly 2,263 trips per day over current zoning, split about 70% to Mills Road and 30% to Ivy Road.
The rezoning and annexation passed unanimously, 6-0. Council members and residents pressed for more clarity on traffic mitigations, public-safety services and sequencing of infrastructure. “We fear that things will get congested quickly,” resident Patty O’Daniel told the council, asking why development is being approved before roads and other services are in place.
Kelly told council the property currently drains to Indian Well Swamp, would likely require 10-year stormwater detention if stormwater rules apply, and is not in a special flood hazard area. He said staff projects the development could raise an estimated $112,125,000 in taxable value at buildout. Ken Malpas, representing RDP Properties, said sewer work is completed and water-line upgrades have been made to meet fire-code demands, and described a likely long (multi-year) build-out.
Councilmembers repeatedly emphasized coordination on traffic mitigation. Staff and the applicant said NCDOT will require dedicated left- and right-turn lanes at new driveways onto Mills Road and that a traffic-impact analysis will be required during site-plan review. One planner noted Mills Road’s current reported design capacity of about 28%, which staff said would increase toward the mid-30% range with the proposed traffic from this and nearby projects.
Council members framed their vote as balancing growth and service delivery. Mayor PJ Connolly and others said the city is planning to use added tax revenue to make infrastructure investments, while remaining mindful of residents’ safety and quality-of-life concerns. Next steps include the traffic-impact analysis and development-review conditions that will specify required improvements and permit conditions.
