City annexes land around airport, OKs Macy’s Meadow subdivision

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro city council annexed more than 200 acres surrounding the Asheboro Regional Airport. 

The regular Sept. 10 meeting also saw several annexations, including for a future extended-stay hotel.

The item that drew the most discussion of the night was Macy’s Meadow, a proposed 27-home subdivision on 1138 Draper Street. After hearing from the developer, Daniel Stickler, and neighbors, the city council approved rezoning it from R10-Residential medium-density to R10 (CZ) Conditional Zoning.

Community Developer Director John Evans said those conditions require the homes be single family with stormwater control measures, a recreation area, and no new driveways or connections to Gold Hill Road. Stickler also agreed to a thicker landscape buffer on one portion of the east side between existing homes.

Council member Charles Swiers asked whether the homes will be to the same standard as Robins Nest to the south. Stickler said he did not have a builder yet, but he expected the Robins Nest developers will be interested. Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Burks said Stickler was also responsible for the Jacksons Run subdivision, and he thought those homes were of good quality.

Stickler invited Christian Vestal of Sumney Engineering to explain the stormwater controls. Vestal said their controls will direct rainwater down to the low point to be released over several days. He said he expects the design to keep most water from draining into neighboring properties.

Council member Mary Joan Pugh asked why Stickler did not want to keep the current zoning with no conditions. Stickler said that while R10 allows duplexes, he did not feel that was the right fit for the area.

When neighbors spoke, most of them said they were preferred a plan with conditions but still worried about traffic, especially if it connects to Draper Street.

Airport, other annexations

The city council annexed 264 acres around the airport, spanning NC Highway 49, Union Church Road, Tot Hill Farm Road and Pilots View Road. Those 17 parcels, which the county designated RA-Residential Agriculture, was rezoned to A-Airport and I1-Light Industrial.

During the public hearing, county residents said their main concerns were about the kind of industries that could move in and whether it will affect property values. 

Phillip Lanier asked why they are annexing now if they have no current plans for using it. Pugh said that the city already owns the land. This will give the Airport Authority the power to recommend how it’s used. “It makes sense to put all airport land together, so we control it and can zone it for the airport,” she said.

City Manager Donald Duncan said it’s a side effect of the state’s growth. “We’re not a national airport. But as they get bigger, more traffic pushes out and that will continue all over the state,” he said. “The best we can handle it is to manage it and manage the land around it.”

City Engineer Michael Leonard added that the state budget included $2.5 million for a new airport terminal.

The council next annexed 3.4 acres at the intersection of Ragsdale Road and US 64. Akshat Patel, owner of Orient Express, said he plans to build a TownePlace Suites, an extended-stay hotel under the Marriott brand. He wants to have it open in time for next year’s High Point Furniture Market.

The council scheduled two annexation hearings for the Oct. 8 meeting:

■ 13.85 acres on Hub Morris Road, requested by Larry McKenzie and Amber Hill.

■ 3 acres at 801 South Fayetteville Street, requested by Journey Church of the Piedmont.