Aberdeen board broadens allowable uses for Aberdeen Station, adds purchase deadline and density cap

The Aberdeen Town Board on March 24 unanimously approved amendments to Conditional Zoning CZ-22-01 that expand allowable uses for the Aberdeen Station planned development at the former elementary school site and impose conditions intended to limit impacts and ensure completion.

Planning Director Pam Graham told the board staff had worked with developer representatives from Flacorp, LLC to revisit the 2022 list of permitted uses, which the developer and staff said could be too narrow for a viable mixed-use redevelopment. The board approved a revised list of potential uses for the area of the site labeled "New Retail and Existing Buildings," including office (minor and major), larger personal-service uses, public recreation facilities, daycare, sports and fitness centers, medical care facilities (minor and major), co‑working space, a boutique hotel, education and training centers, farmers' markets (with temporary-use rules), mobile food vendors, special events, and public art installations.

Director Graham and staff recommended a set of conditions tied to the approval. Key conditions the board adopted require: designation of the identified parcels as a Planned Development; site-plan submittal and Technical Review Committee approval before building permits; that Flacorp, LLC pay for any parking-lot and related improvements; a requirement that the applicant close on the remainder of the PD tract (Phase 2) on or before April 15, 2025 (unless extended in writing), with failure to close triggering a stop-work/use order for temporary uses; a maximum residential density at full buildout of 11.5 units per acre without further amendment; phasing provisions allowing initial reuse of existing buildings subject to permitting and TRC approval; and a recorded covenants and restrictions document addressing maintenance and liability for private streets. The ordinance as adopted also adds Condition #9 clarifying that all Personal Services uses are allowed in the New Retail and Existing Buildings area except funeral homes and crematoriums.

Developer representative Fabio Lemos described the project as "a living, breathing thing" that has evolved and said a boutique hotel "would be limited to 50 rooms, would be very special, and very good for the community." Lemos also told the board "there are no plans for a funeral home" and said he intends to move his offices from Pinehurst to the new Aberdeen location. Mayor Robert Farrell and Commissioner Teressa Beavers voiced concern about some broadened uses and asked for more detail on elements such as crematoriums and boutique-hotel impacts; Planning Director Graham said staff would review changes to ensure compliance with standards and return items to boards if they constituted material changes.

The board first voted (motion by Commissioner Tim Helms, seconded by Mayor Pro‑tem Bryan Bowles) to adopt a Reasonableness and Consistency Statement finding the amendments reasonable and consistent with town plans, then voted (motion by Commissioner Helms, seconded by Commissioner Elease Goodwin) to approve the amendments with the staff‑recommended conditions. Both motions carried 5‑0.

Next steps for the project include required site-plan submittal and TRC review prior to any building permits and recording of the covenants and restrictions with the Moore County Register of Deeds. The ordinance adopted at the meeting documents the permitted uses and conditions and is effective upon adoption.