Glen Alpine clears way for new subdivision on Sundown Road

The Glen Alpine area could soon see new neighbors after town leaders approved a rezoning request Monday night, paving the way for a 12-lot residential development on Sundown Road.

Although the development would be outside town limits, the area is in the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, which means the Town of Glen Alpine maintains zoning control.

“You don’t have any financial obligation for the development there,” said Alan Glines, director of community development for Burke County, who led board members through the rezoning process during their meeting on Monday, Aug. 18.

Glen Alpine’s fire, police, and public works departments wouldn’t serve the area regularly except when mutual fire aid is needed, Glines said. The development would fall in the jurisdictions of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office and the West End Fire Department. Utilities will be provided by Brentwood Water Corporation and Duke Energy. Each lot will have its own septic system.

The property, owned by James and Tonya Gilliland, backs up to Ceramic Tile Drive and was zoned RA-20, a Residential-Agricultural zone with a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet. This designation accommodates a mix of low-density, single-family housing and agricultural uses.

The board voted to rezone the property to PUD-R, a Planned Unit Development Residential. The proposed subdivision will feature lots as small as half an acre and up to 1.37 acres, which meets the standards of PUD-R, Glines said.

“It should be a durable, long-term subdivision,” Glines said.

Sundown Road is maintained by the state Department of Transportation, which has approved a new driveway for the development. Glines also noted that the NCDOT does not have any traffic concerns related to the development.

Mayor Michelle Lewis opened a public hearing on the issue and only one resident spoke up. Lynn Justice, who lives near the site said she has no issues with the development. “I know this county needs reasonable housing so badly,” she said.

The Glen Alpine Planning Board, which includes Kevin Herron, Vance Dunlap, Barbara Dunlap, and Tamara Poplin, reviewed the plans on Aug. 5 and recommended approval for the project. The board of aldermen voted unanimously in favor of the development.

APPROVAL OF RESIGNATION

The board also voted to accept the resignation of former alderman Jim Frady, who left the board on June 23. At the board’s July meeting, his resignation wasn’t mentioned, but a tense energy filled the room as residents spoke about the apparent division among board members.

The move to accept Frady’s resignation came with a lighter mood and laughter as board member Jason Miller said, “I make the move that we accept that sucker’s resignation.” Frady remains involved with the town, attending meetings as a resident instead of an alderman.

MEETING DATE CHANGE

After changing the meeting date for the board of aldermen from the second Monday of the month to the third Monday in the month last December, the board voted to change it back.

Mayor Pro Tempore Luke Boone said it was his understanding that, after talking with Clerk Crystal Reed, there might be a conflict between early voting and meeting on the third Monday. Glen Alpine Town Hall is an early voting site. Board member Reid Scott also said that his Marion Moose Lodge meetings conflict with the third Monday.

Miller, who made the initial request in December to change the meeting dates, said the third Monday works best for him, noting that his unpredictable work schedule could prevent him from attending meetings on the second Monday. However, all board members voted unanimously to make the change.