Henderson council approves rezoning of roughly 140 acres to R8 with unanimous vote

The Henderson City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 23-17 on July 10, 2023, rezoning four Vance County parcels—totaling approximately 140 acres—from lower-density residential districts to R8, a high-density residential classification.

Development Services Director Corey Williams told the council the parcels are near Highway 39, Vicksboro Road and Ross Mill Road and that the Planning Board had voted unanimously to recommend approval. Williams said staff examined wastewater infrastructure and determined Sandy Creek pump station capacity would be sufficient to accommodate the projected maximum number of units plus regional growth.

Representatives for True Homes described the proposed development density. Mark Ashton, from a land-planning engineering firm representing the developer, said the rezoning would result in average lot sizes of roughly 10,000 square feet—“just under 4 units per acre,” according to the materials presented—and that a larger master plan will be submitted later. Sean Johnson, who identified himself as a representative of True Homes, said the company will submit a master plan that considers surrounding community development patterns.

Councilmember Melissa Elliott moved approval of Ordinance 23-17; Councilmember Garry D. Daeke seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance changes were recorded in Ordinance Book 10. The council did not attach a detailed master plan or phasing schedule to this approval; staff said a master plan submission will follow the rezoning decision. Any subsequent subdivision or site-plan approvals will be subject to separate reviews and requirements.

Next steps: developers will prepare and submit a master plan and any required permitting or infrastructure studies; council staff noted the pump station capacity check had been part of the record for tonight’s decision.