AG 1998 02 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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483 other projects have brought to the area and the need to update the Western Area Plan. He advised that additional buffering was considered; however, the petitioners declined such. Chairman Casper asked that those persons addressing the Board limit their comments to two minutes. Mr. Maurice Ewing, President of the Economic Development Corporation, introduced the presentation in support of the rezoning. He discussed the need for additional industrial land in Cabarrus County, specifically along the 1-85 corridor. Mr. Ewing cited the loss of 1,400 industrial acres in King's Grant and pointed out that only 250 industrial acres remain available in the International Business Park. Further, he stated that many of the industrial acres across the county are not marketable as industrial property. Mr. Ewing advised that the proposed industrial development schedule would spread the infrastructure over a ten-year period while residential development would occur much faster. In conclusion, he stated the real issue is revenue or expense. Mr. Alex Rankin of Concord Engineering and Surveying presented the new concept plan for the development of approximately 500 acres with eight property owners. Stating the site is a desirable project for a high quality development comparable to the International Business Park, he listed the following factors in support of the rezoning: proximity to 1-85 and the Concord Regional Airport; accessibility to 1-77 by Highway 73; direct accessibility to 1-485 when it is constructed; available water service from Derita Road; and current construction of sewer along Rocky River. Mr. Rankle reviewed the proposed buffers, including the use of ~ock¥ River as a buffer and the 100-foot land buffer that would protect the adjacent property owners to the north. In response to concerns raised at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, he advised that the petitioners had made several modifications to the concept plan. Although the proposed development will not be the sole cause of increased traffic in the area, the petitioners have agreed to reserve 50 feet from the center line of Der;ts Road and Poplar Tent Road for future road improvements. Further, the petitioners will limit future driveway connections to one connection for parcels of 50 acres or less, two for parcels of 100 to 150 acres and three for parcels over 150 acres. Also, Mr. Rankin stated the concept plan had been changed to an open plan to accommodate quality large scale industrial users. If the property remains residential, Mr. Rankin pointed out that 1,024 lots could be developed under current density regulations. In conclusion, he stated the property owners had agreed to exclude the following uses: Asphalt and concrete plants; foundries/iron, steel mills; railroad station and storage yard; sawmill; slaughterhouse/meat packaging; truck stop/truck terminal; communications tower - stand alone cellular tower; salvage yard; airport, commercial; airstrip; coliseum and stadium; extraction of earth products; landfill, demolition - more than one acre; landfill/sanitary; race tracks/animal and mechanical; and tire recapping. Chairman Casper asked the petitioners if they were in agreememt to the excluded uses as listed by Mr. Rankin. They answered in the affirmative. Mr. David Holland supported the rezoning, stating the flight pattern for the Concord Regional Airport is over the property. He presented photographs of residential areas near the airport in Charlotte and expressed concern about the negative impact of airport expansions and traffic increases on residential developments. Mr. Jerry Newton, spokesman for several adjoining property owners, spoke in opposition to the rezoning. He referenced material that was included in the agenda packet, including information presented at the Planning and zoning Commission and the petition from residents of Beech Bluff in opposition to the rezoning. Mr. Newton outlined the following objections to the rezoning: Availability of other industrial sites in the county, including property at King's Grant and a site less than one-eighth of a mile from the proposed project; (2) Rezoning violates the spirit and intent of the Western Area Plan; (3) Present zoning does not deny the property owners a reasonable use of their land; (4) Traffic will overload Derita Road having a carrying capacity of 7,000 to 10,000 trips per day with projections for the development at 50,000 trips per day; (5) Proposed development is too large, too intrusive and too intensive for the area; (6) Petitioners seek approval of uses that should not be included, i.e. volatile materials warehouse; (7) Proposed rezoning does not meet the intent of the Zoning Ordinance nor the General Industrial zoning district; (8) Applicants have withdrawn previously submitted concept plan with the residents having no opportunity to review the new plan presented at this meeting; (9) Petitioners are not willing to dedicate land for road improvements; {10) All public facilities, specifically road service, are not in place; and (11) the Plan provides only