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Council agrees to two‑week continuance as applicant adds affordable‑housing condition on South New Hope rezoning
Summary
Council agreed 6–2 to continue rezoning Z11252230 (South New Hope Road) to allow the applicant to add an affordable housing commitment and refine stormwater and access conditions; staff said just under 10 acres are developable and SMAC supported strengthened stormwater controls.
Planning staff updated council on rezoning Z11252230 (South New Hope Road), a just‑under‑23‑acre proposal (the rezoning parcels total ~10 acres of developable area) where the applicant has added conditions after earlier review. Staff said planning commission recommended denial while the Stormwater Management Advisory Commission recommended approval after the applicant strengthened stormwater protections, offering 50‑year peak runoff control above code requirements.
The applicant (Michael Birch with Longleaf) said the parcel has constraints including floodplain areas and topography that make residential more feasible than commercial on parts of the site and that the new conditions respond to stormwater and environmental‑justice concerns. Transportation staff said full access coordination with an adjoining landowner and NCDOT will be needed and that certain access could be ride‑in/ride‑out by New Hope Road if NCDOT approves.
Councilors discussed affordable housing, acknowledging that the current application does not increase entitlement and therefore does not automatically trigger the Midtown policy that calls for affordable units when entitlements increase. The applicant indicated willingness to talk further about an affordability commitment and asked to continue to Jan. 20 to add at least one such condition. Council voted 6–2 to continue the public hearing to Jan. 20.
What happens next: the applicant and staff will prepare additional materials for Jan. 20, including any proposed affordable‑housing condition and updated transportation/stormwater information.
