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On Monday, Albemarle City Council, following a recommendation from the Albemarle Planning Board, unanimously approved plans for a major cluster subdivision to be located along the western side of Anderson Grove Church Road.

Designated as Brookwood Park, the proposed development will consist of 168 single-family lots located on 58 acres across three parcels, with street access from two locations along Anderson Grove Church Road to the east, and from Woodhaven Drive to the west. T.J. Pecorak of Transect Development of Huntersville is the applicant.

Planning and Development Services Director Kevin Robinson, in presenting the plans to council, noted the subdivision is planned in two phases, to be developed on opposite sides of a small stream which flows through the property.

Robinson also noted the plans exceed minimum open space requirements.

“Based on preliminary calculations, the minimum requirement for open space is 19.49 acres. The total open space provided on the plat is 21.03 acres,” said Robinson, noting that although the total space is adequate, additional details on proposed amenities need to be provided by the developer.

Increased traffic along Anderson Grove Church Road which would be generated by the development required that a traffic impact assessment be conducted, which calls for installation of a 50-foot left turn lane for northbound traffic, contingent upon NCDOT approval.

Lot widths within the subdivision would vary between 45 and 55 feet, said Robinson in response to a question from Councilman Chris Bramlett.

“So, how wide would the houses be?” queried Bramlett.

“With five-foot setbacks on either side, 30 to 35 feet,” replied Robinson.

“That’s pretty close to what Morgan Ridge has,” added Councilman Benton Dry.

Robinson also noted that restrictions on grading within 100 feet of a stream will require some reconfiguration of lots before civil plans are submitted.

Bramlett asked if any consideration had been given to the price of homes within the development.

“That’s really something that staff stays out of,” said Robinson, noting that it “is out of the purview of our department.”

Councilman Bill Aldridge expressed concerns about the pace of development within Albemarle, and the city’s ability to provide resources.

“Here we are with another 168 homes,” he said. “At some point Council and city staff need to have a heart to heart discussion. Right now we have between 3,500 and 4,000 homes approved in the city … my biggest concern is that if two or three or four of these developers start moving dirt at one time, we’re done … we do not have the infrastructure.”

Mayor Ronnie Michael asked Aldridge to clarify what he meant by “infrastructure,” adding, “We have water, sewer and electricity.”

“Schools, teachers, police officers, fire fighters,” Aldridge replied, “water’s not the problem.”

On a motion by Dry and second by Mayor Pro Tem Martha Sue Hall, council unanimously voted to approve.

In other business, council:

● Approved a resolution honoring the Western Regional Champion Albemarle Girls Track Team;

● Heard a report from Matt Jaeger of Retail Strategies on retail recruitment efforts for the city;

● Received a progress update on the Albemarle Business Center;

● Heard citizen concerns on the city’s policy on flotation devices in public pools (see related story);

● Voted 6-1 (with Hall dissenting) to approve the city’s 2023-24 budget;

● Delayed until June 26 taking action on joining the Yadkin-Pee Dee Water Management Group;

● Unanimously approved plans to develop a climate controlled storage facility in addition to four retail spaces at the former mall building adjacent to Belk in East Albemarle (see related story);

● After closed session, on a motion by Bramlett and second by Dry, voted 4-2 (Hall and Hunt dissenting) to grant a $5,000 salary increase to City Manager Michael Ferris.

Council will meet on June 26 to discuss the flotation device policy and membership in the Yadkin-Pee Dee Water Management Group.