Raeford council approves preliminary plat for 191‑lot 'Raeford Commons' after neighbors press drainage concerns

The Raeford City Council on April 5 approved preliminary subdivision approval for an 85.19‑acre development known as Raeford Commons, permitting 191 single‑family lots while attaching a developer‑volunteered condition to erect a 6‑foot wooden privacy fence behind lots 52–70 until a homeowners association takes over maintenance.

Felecia Locklear, the city’s Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer, told the council the parcels have access to city water and sewer and that the site is designated residential in the city’s 2030 Land Use Plan. She summarized lot minimums (12,000 square feet minimum lot size, 80 feet minimum width) and noted the requested density is below the maximum allowed under R‑12 zoning.

Neighbors at the public hearing said existing flooding is a persistent problem and worried new impervious surfaces would increase runoff. James Locklear of 339 W. Palmer St. said he is concerned about chemicals and dyes entering his pond and asked who would be responsible. Johnny Boyles of 289 W. Palmer St. presented photographs of February 2021 flooding and said, "Déjà vu," arguing that nearby houses risk further flooding.

The applicant, Mark Lyczkowski, acknowledged neighbors’ concerns and said the developer "do[es] care about the citizens concerns" and wants to be "good neighbors." Lyczkowski and project engineer Jim Chandler showed existing topography and described planned drainage measures, including two detention ponds near the creek and upgrades to Rogers Street. Chandler told the council the stormwater design would be required to meet local, state and federal regulations, "capable of handling 2, 10, 25 and 100 year events," include water‑quality treatment for pesticides and dyes, and be subject to erosion‑control permits; he also noted potential fines of up to $50,000 per day for violations.

Council members asked for elevations and technical clarifications; the applicant and engineer said more detailed studies and exact pond sizing would be completed during utility plan development after preliminary approval. The Planning Board had recommended approval 3–1 with the fence condition to address potential foot traffic and privacy concerns.

Councilman Wayne Willis moved to approve the preliminary plat with the fence condition; Councilman Charles Allen seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The developer’s preliminary approval allows the project to proceed to the engineering and utility‑plan stage, where precise stormwater studies, detention‑pond sizing and detailed road and drainage plans will be required. The council record shows neighbors asked for written assurances on drainage and trespass concerns; the developer and engineer committed to addressing those elements in subsequent plan phases.