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Planning director outlines trailhead, greenway and a 150-acre conservation idea for the Yadkin River District
Summary
Planning Director Steve Blunt walked the board through completed plans and future priorities: Salisbury Avenue Trailhead concept, a greenway linking Stanback Forest with Salisbury, expanded Standback Forest amenities, and the Yadkin River District brownfield study that would guide large-scale redevelopment and higher-density residential projects.
Spencer, N.C.
Planning Director Steve Blunt presented a forward-looking package of projects on Nov. 12 that includes a Salisbury Avenue Trailhead and Park concept, a proposal to create a greenway connection to Stanback Forest and an idea to assemble up to 150 acres adjacent to Grants Creek as a protected green corridor or park in partnership with Catawba College.
Blunt illustrated recent infill residential projects and a planned large townhome development (about 141 units) and stressed that new residential tax base and commercial projects are expected to help fund public services and future infrastructure. "Add it all up... almost $50,000,000 in tax base being added and that would generate over $300,000 of tax revenue," he said while describing how homebuilding and commercial projects support municipal finances.
On conservation and recreation, Blunt proposed a phased master-planning process for the Salisbury Avenue trailhead: initial site clean-up and trails, then amenities. He recommended a modest next step of a $10,000 master plan to move the concept beyond staff sketches to professional drawings.
Blunt also described the Yadkin River District brownfield planning process as the first concrete step to redevelop underused industrial parcels and said a funded brownfield study could unlock higher-density housing (townhomes, apartments) and other economic development. He cautioned that brownfield rules limit single-family homes in those sites but noted the increased tax base potential.
The board welcomed the concepts and suggested the staff pursue grant funding and partnership building with Salisbury and Catawba College. Blunt said property owners in the floodplain may be receptive to donating parcels, lowering acquisition cost.
What happens next: staff will seek the $10,000 master-plan funding, continue partnership outreach, and return with a formal scope and budget for board consideration in the next planning cycle.
