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Residents press traffic and drainage concerns as Coopertown reviews rezoning for 15-acre Woods Road parcel
Summary
At a March 25 board meeting, residents urged caution about a proposed 15-acre rezoning on Woods Road after a developer outlined plans for eight lots; officials and residents raised questions about sewer availability, narrow roads and stormwater runoff.
Coopertown officials heard public concern and a developer presentation on March 25 over a proposed rezoning and subdivision of a 15-acre parcel on Woods Road.
At the meeting, the board opened the first reading of ordinance 20252 to consider rezoning the parcel from agricultural to residential. A developer representative said preliminary soil mapping supports eight lots — “six of those that were front with road, two of those front Old Coopertown” — and that each lot is planned with primary and secondary septic systems. The developer added they had completed preliminary site work and planned to preserve trees where feasible.
Residents questioned whether the local roads and drainage could handle new homes. “That road is so narrow, we can't even strike on… putting more traffic on it concerns me,” said resident Judith Bethley. Board members and staff said the town does not have a sewer system planned for the area and that establishing sewer service would require a large, long-term investment and land for treatment infrastructure. A staff member told the board the town currently “doesn't have anything in the works” for sewer in that neighborhood.
The developer said a new water line project is expected to run down the middle of Woods Road in the coming year and that the project team would try to minimize disturbance, keep buffers where possible and avoid unnecessary tree removal. The representative described the planned houses as brick or brick-and-siding products and said the firm has built similar homes across the region.
The first reading drew no final action; the planning commission had already forwarded the proposal to the board for review. Board members asked staff to continue evaluating infrastructure constraints, drainage impacts and driveway sightline safety before further action. The matter remains at first reading pending additional technical information and future hearings.
