Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Annexation Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spencer hearing on proposed annexation at 607 Hawkenstown Road draws residents’ objections
Summary
The Spencer board held a public hearing on a proposed annexation and rezoning of Parcel 324052 at 607 Hawkenstown Road to allow a roughly 30‑lot subdivision; town staff said traffic increases would be below NCDOT impact thresholds, while nearby residents said the plan would harm neighborhood character.
The Spencer Town Board held a public hearing July 9 on a developer’s request to annex and rezone Parcel 324052 (approximate address 607 Hawkenstown Road) from agricultural use to RMST, a residential main‑street transition classification.
The presenter, introduced in the meeting as Mr. Blunt, outlined a preliminary plan for roughly 30 single‑family lots, noting about 60% of the parcel is buildable and that stormwater would be managed in a common pond with a homeowners association responsible for long‑term upkeep. He said a sewer easement to Greenwich Creek is planned and that streets would be built with curb, gutter, sidewalks and street lighting to town standards.
The presenter described the town’s review sequence — neighborhood meeting (held, no attendees reported), rezoning and annexation consideration, site‑plan review and final subdivision approval — and told the board the developer estimated lot values in the $300,000–$400,000 range.
On traffic, the presenter cited NCDOT’s annual average daily traffic (AADT) counts and said NCDOT generally requires an estimated increase of about 3,000 vehicle movements to trigger a traffic impact statement and roughly 4,000 ADT increase to require intersection improvements such as turn lanes or signals. He supplied historical AADT figures for segments of Hawkenstown Road (the presenter cited a highest measured figure of about 1,200 in 2004 and lower recent counts) and estimated the combined effect of Hawkins Meadows and the proposed 30‑house subdivision would add roughly 1,700 vehicle trips — well under the thresholds the presenter described.
Several nearby residents spoke in opposition. A resident who gave his address as 608 August Town Road said the proposal and recent nearby projects have eroded the area’s rural character, cited safety concerns for people entering and exiting driveways on Hawkenstown Road, and said denser development would harm long‑time neighbors. Craig Thompson, who identified himself and gave an address of 1840 Hollywood Drive, described the plan as a "tight fit" across from 608 and said prior nearby projects had experienced slow progress, raising questions about timing and buildout.
No formal vote on annexation or rezoning occurred at the pre‑agenda meeting; the presenter said both items are scheduled for formal action at the regular Board meeting on July 14. The board closed the public hearing by voice/hand vote at the pre‑agenda session.
What happens next: the annexation and rezoning will appear on the board’s July 14 agenda for consideration; if approved, the town will proceed to site‑plan and subdivision review.
