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Anson County delays decision on 87-acre rezoning request after public concerns about septic, water and traffic
Summary
The Anson County Board of Commissioners delayed action on ZMA26-01, a request to rezone an 87.09-acre parcel from RA5 to RA1 to allow roughly 1-acre lots, after staff presentation, public comment raising septic, water and traffic concerns, and divided commissioner views. The item is scheduled for reconsideration April 7.
Miss Cole (planning staff) presented ZMA26-01, a straight rezoning request to change an 87.09-acre parcel (PIN 6463000491643) from RA5 (five-acre minimum lots) to RA1 (one-acre minimum lots) to allow for potential subdivision into roughly one-acre residential lots. Cole told the board the parcel lies near the town of Wesboro’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, contains portions in an AE flood zone and wetlands, and is currently without public water or sewer; the planning department recommended approval and the planning board recommended approval by a 3–1 vote.
Mr. Michael Sandy, the applicant’s representative, told the board his client bought the property in 2003 and estimates the initial buildout would be “five to 10” homes depending on septic (perk) suitability and floodplain constraints. Sandy and staff said the applicant has been in contact with Anson County Utilities about extending the water line; staff estimated the cost to run an 8-inch water line roughly 500 feet could be in the $5,000–$10,000 range if no right-of-way acquisition is required and the applicant would bear that cost.
Several nearby residents testified during public comment that soils on surrounding acreage often do not perk, that the waterline would likely be more expensive than the estimate because it may require crossing a deep creek, and that adding dozens of houses could worsen traffic around Anson High School and nearby intersections. A resident who owns land nearby said, “We do not need any more housing. We need more industry,” and urged the board to preserve rural character and tree buffers.
Commissioners debated competing priorities: some emphasized housing affordability for younger residents and the potential tax base benefit; others expressed concern that rezoning to RA1 could, in theory, allow many more lots if soils/perk conditions were favorable and therefore change the area’s rural character. Board members discussed alternative zoning such as RA2/RA3 as buffer options and noted that approval of zoning would not itself approve a subdivision; subdivision review and permits would still be required by the county’s internal review committee.
A motion to approve the rezoning failed for lack of a second, and a later motion to deny also failed to secure a second. The board ultimately voted to delay action on ZMA26-01 to its next scheduled meeting, set for April 7, with one commissioner recorded as opposed to the delay motion. The public hearing was closed; staff and the applicant may supply additional materials for the board’s deliberation when the item returns.
What’s next: ZMA26-01 will return to the board on April 7. If the board later approves rezoning, any subdivision will require separate review and permitting (internal review committee, planning board, and other agencies).
