Commission recommends City Council support for Clover Ridge 30-lot preliminary plan

The Morganton Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 recommended that the City Council support a preliminary subdivision plan from Western Carolina Developers to create 30 lots at the Clover Ridge site off Latimer Lane.

Planning staff said the original plat dated from the early 1990s and showed future phases that were not constructed; the developer proposed redesigned, larger lots meeting the current minimum 20,000-square-foot requirement for the zoning district and a new connector street (Tyndale Circle) to be accepted by Burke County. Engineering review found the road, water and sewer connections meet city standards.

Staff noted the developer opted to pay an in-lieu fee rather than dedicate a 1.624-acre neighborhood recreation parcel the original plat would have required. One commissioner criticized the fee as outdated, saying it "should've been done away with years ago" and expressed concern that such sites can attract people experiencing homelessness.

Committee member moved that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to the City Council support for the proposed subdivision of 309 Latimer Lane (PIN 179417520) and 0 Latimer Lane (PIN 179417570) to create 30 lots as a preliminary plan meeting subdivision ordinance requirements; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve with no recorded opposition. Staff said there were no floodplain or slope issues identified and that the plan otherwise meets regulatory standards. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final review and approval.