Pittsboro planning board recommends approval of Corbenton preliminary plat after discussion on graves, owls and stormwater

The Town of Pittsboro Planning Board voted unanimously Feb. 16 to recommend approval of PB 25548, the Corbenton Major Subdivision preliminary plat, following a presentation by the applicant and questions from board members and residents.

Nick Robinson, representing the applicant Blue Hill Development LLC, told the board the 32.7‑acre site on Old Graham Road is proposed for 98 single‑family lots and has been reviewed by town staff and departments to confirm it meets the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance and conditions imposed during an earlier rezoning. "So long as the plat ... meets the requirements for preliminary plats in the town that are explicitly detailed in the UDO," Robinson said, "the plat will be approved." He added the applicant held a community meeting on Sept. 4, 2025, attended by about 11 people.

The hearing included a public comment from Dawn Saunders McBride, a resident of 324 Oakwood Drive, who raised concerns about a memorial stone found near the site and possible additional graves tied to a late‑1800s project, the proximity of a proposed retention pond to a 90‑bed senior care facility and wildlife impacts. "There are possible graves that are located there," McBride said, and urged measures such as fencing the pond and ensuring adequate permeable surface coverage.

Applicant representatives said they researched the marker and engaged a ground‑penetrating‑radar contractor; their materials were provided to the Chatham County Historical Association and to Bev Wiggins. The applicant reported the association’s written response: "Thanks for providing the information confirming that David Woody's remains were not located on the Corbenton parcel and explaining the presence of the Memorial marker there," which the applicant summarized as evidence that no remains were found on the parcel. The project team told the board the recorded GPR work found no subsurface evidence of graves on the Corbenton parcel.

Board members also pressed the applicant on technical items: impervious‑surface calculations, drainage easements and stormwater design. Engineers said the neighborhood’s overall impervious area is estimated at about 37.79 percent (a figure presented by the applicant) and that the per‑lot 5,000‑square‑foot figure discussed was used as a conservative maximum when sizing stormwater infrastructure; smaller lots would not practically reach that maximum because of yards and restrictive covenants. The applicant also said stormwater detention was designed to provide attenuation near a 50‑year storm level, while the town’s baseline requirement is a 25‑year storm, and that some drainage easements will be recorded during construction and final plat phases.

Traffic and access were also discussed. The applicant’s traffic estimate of about 990 daily trips fell below North Carolina Department of Transportation thresholds that would trigger a full traffic impact analysis; consultants said the count is conservative because the product is age‑targeted and that most traffic is expected to use the nearby traffic circle at the community college. The board and one resident said they have concerns about the circle’s capacity; the applicant said DOT’s level‑of‑service criteria did not require additional mitigation. The applicant confirmed a gated emergency access to Old Graham Road will be provided and remain locked for emergencies, with police and fire having access.

On wildlife, the applicant acknowledged prior discussion about barred owls and said riparian and tree areas will remain undisturbed. The development team committed to installing nesting boxes in preserved tree areas during nesting season as a mitigation measure.

After discussion, a board member moved to recommend approval of PB 25548; the motion was seconded and the board voted aye unanimously to recommend approval of the preliminary plat. Planning staff also previewed a busy upcoming agenda, including proposed UDO amendments related to voluntary annexation (referencing General Statute 160A) and zoning adjustments.

The planning board’s recommendation advances the preliminary plat to subsequent administrative and recording steps; final plat and construction documents will address easements, detailed stormwater controls and any required recording conditions.