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Annexation and rezoning of a 43.47 acre tract south of NC 24-27 and east of Anderson Road was approved Aug. 15 by Albemarle City Council, following a public hearing on the petition.

According to Planning and Development Services Director Kevin Robinson, Pee Dee Land Development petitioned the city to annex the property for what it described as “development of approximately 99 single family homes with abundant open space.”

“If approved, the development will bring in between 217 and 251 new residents,” said Robinson, “which will increase the city’s population by 1.3 to 1.5 percent.”

Robinson continued by presenting an analysis of the impacts to the city of the annexation and subsequent development.

Revenues collected by the city would increase by $179,000 to $207,000, Robinson said, necessitating increases in Fire Department ($68,000 to $78,000), Police Department ($46,000 to $54,000) and Public Works ($23,000 to $29,000) expenses to provide required services.

Since utility (water, sewer, and electric) service are enterprise funds, it is more difficult to determine revenues and cost should the annexation take place, said Robinson.

“A more in depth study on existing and future capacity, long-term maintenance and upgrades and revenues that new growth will add into the system would be beneficial,” he added, noting that, “utility services will be available to the site from adjacent properties, so we do not anticipate major upgrades or extensions to existing service lines more than the typical distances for properties already in the City.”

Traffic increases are expected to be minimal, said Robinson.

“A traffic impact study will also be required before subdivision. It is expected this development will produce approximately 990-1,020 trips per day, all of which is well under the capacities of adjacent streets.

“Unless the proposed numbers increase drastically, intersection improvements such as turn lanes are likely to be all that will be required from DOT and the City,” he added.

There was no public comment on the proposal. The council voted unanimously in favor of the annexation.

Subsequently, a hearing was conducted on rezoning of the tract from R-10 (General Residential/General Highway Business) to R-15 (Conservation Residential District (Cluster)), necessitated by the annexation of the tract.

Once again, there was no public comment on the proposal, which was approved unanimously.