Davie County residents raise water, traffic and wildlife concerns over Myers Landing; commissioners defer decision

Davie County commissioners on Monday night paused action on the proposed Myers Landing subdivision after a lengthy public outcry about runoff, private wells, traffic on U.S. Highway 64 and loss of rural habitat.

Neighbors from Advance and surrounding areas packed the courthouse to oppose the final site plan for the 226.31‑acre project. The applicant is proposing 161 lots and asked for several waivers to subdivision requirements, including an alternative to the county’s curb‑and‑gutter standard. After public comments and technical back‑and‑forth with the applicant, Commissioner Jones moved to continue the matter; the motion passed 4–1.

The most immediate concerns residents raised were potential contamination of private wells and stormwater runoff into Lake Myers and Hunting Creek. “If we don’t get a hold of this development in some form or fashion, it won’t just be Advance — it’s not fit to live in,” said Kenneth Osborne, a resident who lives across the road from the project. Multiple speakers told the board they had seen sedimentation and pond drawdowns during heavy rains and feared increased impervious surface would worsen the problem.

Developer Greg Garrett said a wetlands delineation and topographic survey were completed during due diligence and that the firm will work to meet state (NCDEQ) permitting requirements. “The wetlands and the streams have all been identified as part of my due diligence for this project,” Garrett told the board. He said he expects NCDOT to require turn lanes and other roadway improvements at site access points.

County planning staff described the proposal as a class‑5 subdivision (more than 61 lots) that meets baseline density rules but allows alternative compliance for certain standards when the board finds the alternative meets or exceeds the intent of the code. Garrett’s team proposed expanded common areas, lake access limited by covenants, a 10‑foot undisturbed buffer adjacent to some properties, and a permanent conservation easement around the lake as part of the restrictive covenants.

The county’s civil engineer, Jim Walters, told the board the site’s drainage will require substantial infrastructure. He said NCDOT’s hydraulic division will review and must approve any large culvert designs, noting that “twin 72‑inch culverts” may be required to handle flows in some crossings.

Residents and some commissioners pressed for firmer guarantees, not only engineering promises. Several speakers asked that the developer reduce the total number of lots or increase on‑site protections for wells and downstream property owners. Nick Gavitas, who identified himself as a planning‑board member speaking on his own behalf, warned that granting waivers would set precedent and reduce the effectiveness of recently adopted neighborhood design standards.

Given the number of unresolved technical and policy questions, Commissioner Jones moved to continue the project and encouraged the applicant to consider additional concessions that might reduce density or mitigate hydrologic impacts; the motion carried 4–1. Commissioners and staff also said they will accelerate the planned zoning and ordinance review process to better define thresholds and design requirements for large subdivisions.

The board did not take a final vote on approvals or waivers for Myers Landing; the matter will be placed on a future agenda for further consideration and additional staff analysis.