Commissioners sign off on housing developments

The Wilson County Board of Commissioners made way for 107 new homes to be constructed across the county at its monthly meeting on Monday night, Aug. 3.

Commissioners unanimously approved four projects, ranging from 71 to five lots.

The 71-lot major subdivision, located on Rock Ridge School Road near Buckhorn Reservoir, was unanimously approved by the county planning board in its fourth appearance before the governing body. The project was struck down the previous three times it was presented, with the board citing concerns with the subdivision’s ingress and egress as well as “subdivision standards,” which require two access points for a development of 50 lots or more under the county’s unified development ordinance.

Development Services Director Brad Thompson told commissioners that the site would not correlate with two access points as the county’s unified development ordinance requires.

“It’s not enough road frontage for that,” he said. “In addition, there’s a 5-foot non-access easement along Rock Ridge School Road. There’s a 20-foot perimeter buffer required with vegetation.”

To ease ingress and egress worries, the developer proposed adding a deceleration and acceleration lane at the entrance and exit of the subdivision to soothe some traffic concerns with the area. Taylor explained that the new lanes would extend about 150 feet and would create relief for traffic traveling down Rock Ridge School Road. Along with the new ingress and egress lanes, there will be a median installed at the subdivision’s entrance.

Commissioners also approved a nine-lot development on Eatmon Road, just south of the Nash County border. Thompson said the 13.01-acre property will require private well and septic services. Commissioner Leslie Atkinson asked how close the nearest county water line was to the property.

“It’s well past the 3,000 feet that we require,” Thompson said. “It’s a few miles away. Sims is nearby to the west of there. The closest one would be the city where the Chick-fil-A is at.”

County planner Matt Taylor presented the next two developments, both preliminary plats for subdivisions. Commissioners approved a plan to split a 27-acre property on New Sandy Hill Church Road along the northern border of Buckhorn Reservoir into 22 lots. Taylor said the 22 lots will utilize private well and septic water services.

Commissioner Michael Wetherington pointed out that the lot that was labeled No. 17 on the map given to commissioners. He said based on the map, that lot in particular appeared not to have enough suitable soil to add a septic tank system onto the property.

“Generally, I believe you need around 20,000 square feet or so,” Taylor said. “That map right there, those maps are done by their private soil scientists. However, when it gets approved and they get design permits, they still have to go through our environmental health to get the proper permits for that. If they are unable to get that lot to work, then that lot will not be buildable.”

Commissioners also approved a smaller subdivision on Flat Rock Road. The development would split a 4.78-acre tract into five lots. Taylor said county water and sewer services were not available for the property.