Developers ask Cramerton commissioners to loosen access requirement for 92‑acre site; Bowman proposes four lots near Baltimore Drive

Mayor Nelson Wills and the Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners on Sept. 15 heard two pre-development presentations from private developers about proposed residential projects in town.

Bob Clay and Jimmy Hollar of Mayworth Development told the board they control about 92 acres at 1462 Armstrong Ford Road (Parcel ID #227546) and asked the board to consider removing or relaxing the requirement for a secondary access point. They said the company previously conveyed a parcel to Two Rivers Utilities to allow placement of a pump station outfall; that easement and the absence of a secured joint municipal agreement with Two Rivers have blocked a planned sewer outfall connection and have prevented the property from remaining under contract. Clay and Hollar said sewer capacity that was available at the Baltimore station has since been consumed, making alternatives more urgent.

The developers noted constraints on alternate access points, including a southern portion of the site with a roughly 150‑foot drop that would require a bridge to use as an outlet. The Planning Director told the board the NCDOT did not authorize a driveway permit for VCM Phase C, and that staff previously requested an outlet onto Armstrong Ford Road. Commissioner Kincaid raised public‑safety and traffic‑congestion concerns about any new subdivisions; Commissioner Helms asked whether the state cemetery statute’s 30‑acre contiguous minimum could be waived for the parcel. Jimmy Hollar warned that, without a secondary egress, “this will condemn this property.” The board did not take action and asked staff to continue discussions with Two Rivers and adjacent property owners.

Separately, Nate Bowman of Bowman Development described a proposal to divide a 4.74‑acre parcel at the intersection of Cramer Mountain Road and Baltimore Drive into four residential lots roughly three‑quarters to about an acre each. Bowman said a historic stone wall sits on the parcel; the developer said the stone wall would be donated to the town as part of a planned natural‑surface riverfront trail. The Planning Director noted the parcel’s zoning was amended in January 2020 and currently does not allow residential development as presented; Bowman said he would follow up with Mr. Fred Glenn about parking and the nearby Baltimore Historic School and would return with a redesigned trail concept.

No formal land‑use approvals were requested or granted at the meeting. The Planning Director said he would continue coordinating with the developers and report back to the board at a future meeting.