Pittsboro plan commission approves Commerce Center secondary plat, grants right‑of‑way waiver

The Pittsboro Plan Commission voted 5–0 on Tuesday to approve the major secondary plat for the Pittsboro Commerce Center and to grant a right‑of‑way waiver that narrows two pinch points from the standard 60 feet to 52 feet, contingent on final approval by the town’s Technical Advisory Committee and completion of several conditions.

Cynthia, the staff presenter, told the commission the proposal from Opus Development LLC subdivides about 170.25 acres on Northside Drive into four lots and adds a new internal road (Road 17). She said most of the parcel is zoned I‑2 (light industrial) with a small corner still zoned agricultural and that the secondary plat is consistent with the town’s comprehensive and future land use maps.

"We recommend that you grant the right of way waiver in front of the FTI site and approve the major secondary plat contingent on final approval by the technical advisory committee with the standard conditions outlined in the staff report," Cynthia said, listing required revisions and permits.

Staff outlined a set of conditions the developer must meet before permits will issue: provide corrected water and sanitary flow calculations and obtain any required IDEM permits; revise drainage and elevation details and obtain Hendricks County Drainage Board approval because the project discharges into a regulated drain; prepare engineer cost estimates and secure either a performance bond or an irrevocable letter of credit for infrastructure; and submit updated plans responding to Technical Advisory Committee and town engineer comments (noted Jan. 27 and Jan. 30, 2026, and an email dated Feb. 4, 2026). The secondary plat approval will be effective for three years from TAC approval, Cynthia said.

Staff also required the developer to install a traffic signal at the westbound I‑74 to Jeff Gordon Boulevard ramp with emergency‑vehicle preemption, to provide up to three sleeves under the new road to allow future utility installation without trenching the pavement, and to provide written easement agreements where the project proposes to connect to private utilities (described in the record as connections near Jeff Gordon Boulevard and FTI). Cynthia said the current submittal showed daily average sanitary flows above the lift station certification level of 31,500; the developer must reduce the reported flows or secure recertification of the lift station before construction.

Megan Irving, a StructurePoint representative for the applicant, said the town’s typical 60‑foot right of way ordinarily includes trails on both sides, but because of large driveways at the FTI site the applicant is proposing the trail only on the north side and that the waiver would not remove trail access.

A commission member praised the detail in the staff conditions and noted that external approvals, such as a signal agreement with NDOT, could affect timing. The chair moved to approve the staff‑recommended option: grant the right‑of‑way waiver and approve the major secondary plat contingent on final TAC approval and the standard conditions in the staff report; Gary seconded the motion.

The commission voted 5–0 to approve the motion. The chair instructed staff and the applicant to sign two resolution copies and noted the commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24. No permits will be issued until the listed conditions are met.

Next steps: the developer must submit revised plans and the required permit applications to the listed town and county reviewers, secure any needed utility easements and agreements, and obtain final TAC sign‑off before the town will sign the final plat and allow construction permits to be issued.