Board approves rezoning for Hitachi expansion as developer outlines $4 million sewer hurdle
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Summary
A developer briefing and staff presentations prompted the board to rezone two parcels to industrial for the Hitachi expansion; speakers said an estimated $4 million in water/sewer work is the project's main barrier and engineering and site-plan work must be funded before construction can start.
A Halifax County developer and planning staff told the Board of Supervisors that a planned workforce housing and industrial expansion tied to Hitachi depends on a costly extension of water and sewer lines, and the board approved a rezoning to support the project.
At a board meeting, an unidentified developer said the project portfolio spans about 4,000 units across the state and that "the site and infrastructure costs are probably around $4,000,000," calling the sewer extension a "key barrier" to the development. Ryan, a staff presenter, said securing funding for that extension is the next step and warned that "this project isn't viable" without it.
The developer described two ownership approaches: an outright transfer of fee ownership to a single-purpose entity or a long-term ground lease and master-leasing structure commonly used to satisfy mortgage lenders. He said site-plan approval and engineering drawings could take three to six months and that the developer would pay for upfront architecture and engineering as equity to keep the project moving if funding is secured.
Planning staff introduced a rezoning application for two parcels adjacent to Hitachi to change from A-1 (agriculture) to M-2 (industrial). The planning commission recommended approval. "Mister chairman, I motion to approve the rezoning request of parcels 1653416535 from A 1 Agriculture to M 2 Industrial," a supervisor moved; the motion was seconded and the board approved the rezoning by voice vote.
Board members questioned unit sizes, pricing and who would be eligible. The developer estimated single-family sale prices in the mid-$300,000 range and said the project is aimed at moderate to upper-moderate income households rather than low-income tax-credit housing. He said some units planned for the wider workforce and that Hitachi is the catalyst but not the sole occupant.
The rezoning clears a land-use hurdle, but planning and board members emphasized several next steps: securing roughly $4 million in infrastructure funding, completing engineering and site-plan approvals, and returning to the planning commission and board with formal PUD or site-plan submissions. The board did not set an implementation date; staff said design work is expected later this year if funds are found. Ending: The rezoning passed by voice vote; staff and the developer said they will pursue funding and engineering steps before construction can begin.