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Developers seek annexation and denser housing; neighbors raise safety, density and infrastructure concerns
Summary
4 Star Group sought annexation of about 60 acres owned by Sun Energy Farms for future residential development; a separate rezoning request from Rooted Oaks for five South Main lots drew extensive public opposition over traffic, drainage, density and potential rental use. The annexation fiscal plan received no motion and failed for lack of a vote; the rezoning was a first reading only.
Developers presented two land‑use items at the Nov. 24 Martinsville City Council meeting that drew questions from neighbors about traffic, infrastructure and housing type.
Sun Energy Farms annexation and fiscal plan
Cheyenne Hoffa, entitlements manager for 4 Star Group, said the company is under contract for roughly 60 acres south of Faith Church on State Road 252 and wants the land voluntarily annexed into Martinsville to allow future residential development. Hoffa said developer‑funded infrastructure (water, sewer and road connections) would be coordinated with the city and that a traffic study and preliminary conversations with the state had begun. Residents asked whether the annexation is voluntary (staff confirmed current law requires voluntary annexation in many cases), how utility extensions would be funded (city and county grant funds were discussed), and whether access on SR‑252 could create safety issues. The council later considered but did not move Resolution 2025‑0718 (the fiscal plan tied to the annexation); without a motion the resolution failed for lack of action.
Rooted Oaks rezoning and heavy public opposition
Rooted Oaks (represented by Mike Casa) asked to rezone five lots along South Main Street to R3 (higher density) to allow townhome‑style rental apartments. Neighbors voiced sustained opposition: Stacy Allen reported observing 17 cars run a nearby stop sign in a 1 hour 40 minute window and said adding an estimated 40 cars and up to 75 residents would create an unsafe condition for children. Brad Anderson, Rita Hanel and Mary Reiner cited inadequate parking, older sewer and water mains (some infrastructure roughly 80 years old), drainage and flood concerns, possible property‑value decline, and fear that market‑rate rentals would become long‑term low‑income rentals. Developer statements in the hearing said an initial plan had been adjusted from 30 units to 23 after clarifying zoning square‑footage requirements and that the units would be market‑rate rentals. The item was a first reading only; no council vote was taken.
Ending: Both items will return in future hearings and planning‑commission steps; the annexation fiscal plan was not advanced tonight.
