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Council approves rezoning for 179-home ‘Meadows at Smyre Creek’ on Smyre Farm Road
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Summary
The Newton City Council rezoned nearly 60 acres on Smyre Farm Road to Planned Development Housing, allowing 179 single-family homes; residents raised traffic and emergency-response concerns during the public hearing but the Council voted to approve the rezoning.
The Newton City Council voted March 5 to rezone 59.95 acres on Smyre Farm Road from R-20 and EM-1 to PD-H Planned Development Housing, clearing the way for a proposed 179-lot development the applicant calls the Meadows at Smyre Creek.
Assistant Planner Alex Fulbright told council the site plan shows 179 single-family detached homes, roughly three units per acre, consistent with the City’s recently adopted Blueprint Newton comprehensive plan. He said the eastern parcel had been zoned Exclusive Manufacturing since the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction expansion in 1982 but that the current plan reflects middle-intensity residential guidance. Fulbright also noted that Smyre Farm Road is maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), which will determine any required off-site turn-lane or deceleration taper improvements.
Representatives of the developer and the builder told the council and attendees they had coordinated with the Planning Department and believe the area has sufficient traffic capacity; they also said the affected schools were operating at about 75% capacity and said they hope to set an internal speed limit of 25 mph and place bus stops inside the subdivision. Several residents voiced concerns: Michael McRee said rising home prices have made the area less affordable for elderly and low-income residents; a neighbor, Mr. Bryson, complained about potential increased traffic and more children in the area; and Carol Carmen described a recent house fire on her property and stated it took firefighters about 10 minutes to respond and an additional 10 minutes to begin fighting the fire, expressing concern about emergency access with a single entrance.
Planning Director Randy Williams confirmed the Planning Commission recommended approval 4–1, citing consistency with the land-use plan while noting traffic concerns. After the public hearing and discussion, council members voted unanimously to approve Rezoning 2024-01 and reclassify the site to PD-H.