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Residents press Davie County to halt large subdivisions, demand stronger stormwater rules
Summary
Residents and planning-board members urged commissioners to stop a proposed cluster of subdivisions near Lake Meyers and called on the board to restore stricter subdivision review and adopt stronger stormwater standards; commissioners said they will revisit a February ordinance and ask staff to draft a tougher stormwater rule.
Residents who live near proposed developments on U.S. 64 and Parker Road told the Davie County Board of Commissioners on June 1 that multiple new subdivisions would overload emergency services, roads and schools and damage local waterways.
Nick Kabidus, a Davie County Planning Board member speaking as a private citizen, said the latest proposal ‘‘does not represent keeping the rural nature of Davie County as defined in the master plan’’ and accused developers of exploiting planning loopholes. Other residents described clusters of about 200 homes within a mile and said those projects would strain the county’s EMS, fire and sheriff’s departments, water and electrical grids and local schools.
‘‘200 homes that will be taxed and put on the backs of fire department. 200 homes that will be put on the backs of EMS and sheriff’s department,’’ resident Kevin Boer told the board, asking commissioners to ‘‘hold the line.’’ His wife, Jennifer Boer, said she and her family ‘‘stand behind y’all 100%’’ and urged continued resistance to development patterns they described as unsafe.
Speakers raised crash and traffic-safety concerns on U.S. 64 near the proposed developments and argued that developers have used multiple filings to avoid stricter review. Several commenters also warned that developers’ attorneys have threatened lawsuits; they urged the county to remain steadfast and to prepare to defend its ordinances.
Commissioners said they will revisit prior actions. Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Schaefer both urged the board to reintroduce or strengthen the February ordinance that would require special-use review for projects of a certain size and asked staff to prepare a more robust stormwater ordinance. Commissioner Jones also suggested considering a moratorium on data centers and other large industrial-style projects until clearer county rules are in place.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to bring back ordinance language and stormwater proposals for future consideration; no new approvals or denials of the contested plats occurred at the June 1 meeting.
