The Spring Lake Board of Commissioners have approved the conditional rezoning of about 15 acres of land abutting the Caelin Farms neighborhood, located in northeast Spring Lake. In a 4-1 vote at the Feb. 10 meeting, the board also approved a modification to the third phase of the development’s plan and the addition of a fourth phase.
This action is part of a residential development plan being executed by Ben Stout Construction. The motion rezoned the affected area from Rural Residential (RR) and Low or Moderate Density (R10) to Single-Family Residential Conditional Zoning (R6A/CZ).
Under this type of zoning, Spring Lake government and landowners of the rezoned area will have more control over land use and establish certain requirements. For example, the conditional rezoning would allow both parties to prohibit the installation of mobile homes in the neighborhood, instead focusing on filling the area with single family homes — something they could not do under traditional R6A zoning.
This plan aims to increase the density of homes in the area, allowing more residents to move in and helping to meet the housing needs in the area, including those of the military community from nearby Fort Bragg, formerly Fort Liberty.
The Regional Land Use Advisory Commission (RLUAC) has opposed this rezoning, as several of the proposed lots within the development plan will encroach on their “Accident Potential Zone.” In a Jan. 2 letter, RLUAC states that the construction of properties in this area will negatively impact the operation and military value of Pope Army Airfield and other military operational activities. RLUAC states that the development of residential properties within the outlined accident potential zone creates a “hazard posed to life and property.”
Commissioner Raul Palacios, the only board member to vote against the modification and addition to the latter phases of the development project, expressed concern about hazards posed by expansion into the Accident Potential Zone.
“We want to protect property and human life,” Palacios said. He also explained that should RLUAC choose to extend their accident zone in the future, property owners in the area would be impacted.
The next Spring Lake Board of Commissioners meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24 at Spring Lake Town Hall, 300 Ruth St.
