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Newton City Council approves rezoning for 55+ Oakview Reserve development on NC 10
Summary
Council unanimously rezoned about 26.77 acres on W NC 10 Highway to PD-H to allow 71 age-restricted single-family homes, after staff said the proposal aligns with Blueprint Newton and would generate fewer daily trips than standard single-family homes.
At its Oct. 7 meeting, the Newton City Council voted unanimously to rezone roughly 26.77 acres at 2393, 2365 and 2303 W NC 10 Highway from R-20 Single-Family Residential to PD-H Planned Development – Housing, clearing the way for Oakview Reserve LLC to develop 71 detached, age-restricted (55+) homes.
Planning Director Randy Williams told council the site plan calls for 71 single-family units on approximately 27 acres, clustered to preserve natural features and provide more than 12 acres of open space, a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts and walking trails. Williams said homes would range from about 1,400 to more than 3,000 square feet, use four-sided architecture with materials such as brick and stone, limit vinyl to trim areas and cap building height at three stories.
Williams cited the ITE Trip Generation Manual to explain traffic impacts: a standard single-family development of this size would produce about 676 daily trips, while a senior-oriented single-family development is expected to generate roughly 261 daily trips. He noted NC Highway 10 is a two-lane suburban arterial with an estimated capacity of about 12,700 vehicles per day and that two access points to NC 10 are proposed; the state Department of Transportation would determine any required turn lanes or deceleration tapers.
Staff concluded the proposal is consistent with Blueprint Newton’s Neighborhood Node designation—pointing to the project’s housing variety, existing infrastructure access and added open space—and recommended approval. The Planning Commission, after a public hearing, voted 2–3 against the request; public comments at the council hearing included both questions about traffic and expressions of support for a developer who engaged neighbors.
Developer David Fontana of Civitas spoke briefly in favor of the project. Local resident Patrick Sterchi said he supported the developer’s community outreach and said well-run engagement should set a marker for future proposals.
Council Member Jon McClure read the motion to approve and the council adopted the required consistency and reasonableness statement per N.C.G.S. § 160D-605 before voting to approve the rezoning. The ordinance and related documents are on file with the city clerk.
