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Mount Airy resident urges council to reject Warfield annexation for proposed ball fields
Summary
Michael Rasch, a Nottingham neighbor, told the Mount Airy Town Council the proposed Warfield annexation and multi‑field ball complex would harm nearby Nottingham—420 homes—put pressure on already strained water supplies, lower home values and provide little local economic benefit.
Michael Rasch, a Mount Airy resident of 15 years, urged the Town Council to reject the proposed Warfield annexation that would allow construction of a multi‑field ball complex adjacent to the Nottingham neighborhood. "There are 420 homes in Nottingham," Rasch said, arguing the project would "have a huge impact on Nottingham" and likely depress property values.
Rasch told the council the proposed fields "are simply not compatible with school schedules and the needs of young kids" and said the project would increase irrigation demand for "8 professional ball fields and associated facilities," adding pressure to Mount Airy's water supply. "There are going to be a lot of unhappy residents who have to foot the bill," he said, linking potential higher water rates to the added irrigation need.
He also questioned the economic case for the complex, saying the town lacks hotels and that visitors could easily travel via I‑70 to other venues, leaving Mount Airy with increased costs for roads, water and potentially lower home‑sales demand. "When you factor for decreased home values and increased water rates ... the ball fields would be a net economic drag on the town," Rasch said.
The remarks came during the public comment period; the council did not take a formal vote on the annexation at the meeting. Rasch closed by asking the council to "reject the proposed annexation."
