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Denton commissioners reject annexation of Old Farmplace subdivision after residents cite safety, drainage concerns
Summary
The Denton board voted to deny an annexation request from NC Building LLC for 29.9 acres of the Old Farmplace property, following resident testimony about traffic fatalities on Highway 109, drainage worries and questions about school capacity and emergency response. Engineering reviews and state approvals were cited as prerequisites.
Mayor Larry D. Ward and the Denton Board of Commissioners voted on May 4 to deny an annexation request from NC Building LLC for 29.9 acres of an 80-acre parcel known as Old Farmplace, after a public hearing in which residents and staff raised safety, drainage and service-capacity concerns.
The board opened the hearing after Manager Angel Jenkins described the developer's proposal: annex 29.9 acres into town limits to allow sewer service and town utilities for a potential 98 lots. Jenkins said water would be supplied by the hand sanitary district and that the town's sewer system had capacity for the projected buildout.
Developers told the board they had engineering plans and state approval to tie into an existing force main. "We bought the land hoping to be able to develop it for, like like she said, 98 houses," said Brian DeWeese, who said the project would be built in phases and include smaller, farmhouse-style homes. He also said the state indicated the existing line could support a pump station needed for the development.
Residents and nearby property owners offered sharp criticism. Neil Snyder said the annexation would add traffic to a dangerous stretch: "It's just too big and being bringing that an accident that far out," he said, describing recent collisions on Highway 109. Another resident, Arnold Snyder, warned that removing trees and building near the drainage basin for Lick Creek would worsen flooding and runoff. Several speakers emphasized that a single entrance and exit could create safety risks near South Davidson High School.
Public safety officials and utilities staff answered questions but did not allay residents' worries. Police Chief James told the board the town can directly enforce law within town limits and roughly one mile outside; he said increased housing typically raises call volume and noted the section of highway north of town where many fatal crashes occur. "For some reason, it's been nicknamed the Final Destination Highway," Chief James said.
Town engineers and utility staff provided sewer-capacity figures. Troy Branch said the development would add about 29,600 gallons per day to the sewer system; he said the plant's capacity is about 800,000 gallons with current flows around 441,000 gallons per day, and staff said the system could handle the additional load so long as capacity thresholds and engineering requirements were met.
After hearing public comment and staff briefings, a commissioner moved to approve the annexation preliminarily subject to engineering, plumbing and pump-station approvals and state right-of-way clearances; that motion drew no second. A subsequent motion "not to approve" the annexation was seconded and carried, leaving the annexation unapproved at this meeting.
The board's decision means the developer must either revise its plan, address the concerns raised (especially around access, drainage and safety), or return with additional engineering and mitigation measures before the town will grant annexation or service agreements. Manager Jenkins and staff indicated they would continue coordinating required technical reviews and would report back at future meetings.
