A large apartment complex and a new paintball facility have won favorable recommendations from the Rowan County Planning Board.
During its meeting Monday night, the board endorsed three of four requests for rezoning or conditional-use permits. But they delayed action on a request involving rezoning for a billboard on I-85. All recommendations go to the county commission for final action.
The Planning Board conducted four courtesy hearings with no opposition to any of the requests.
Wynnefield Properties of Greensboro proposes a 74-unit townhouse apartment complex on an 8-acre tract at 3410 Old Concord Road.
The property, owned by Blanche Julian, is just south of Rowan Vocational Opportunities and across from Summit Corporate Center, the county-owned industrial park. The developers want the county to rezone the property from rural agricultural to multi-family residential.
Tom Pickard of Wynnefield Properties told the board that his company has been in the construction and management of apartments for 36 years.
“We take pride in our building, management and maintenance,” he said.
Pickard cited a market survey which showed a “tremendous need for apartments in the south end of the county.”
The complex would feature two- and three-bedroom units with 850 and 100 square feet respectively and rent from $560 to $625.
County Planner Marion Lytle said the project shouldn’t adversely affect roads.
He described the impact on schools as minimal, estimating 30 to 67 school-age children would live there. Those students would attend Faith Elementary, Southeast Middle and East Rowan High School. Lytle said all are near or above capacity.
The location is within the I-85 corridor that planners are currently reviewing with the aim of rezoning to create areas for future economic development.
Lytle said planning experts agree that high-density residential development should be near employment centers. The board unanimously agreed to recommend a conditional-use permit with requirements for extensive buffering with vegetation and preservation of trees.
The board also recommended:
- Rezoning a 10-acre tract at 330 Beaver Loop Road, China Grove, and issuing a conditional-use permit to allow for a Power Play Paintball facility. The area is located off N.C. 152 just east of I-85.
The business is currently located at 224 S. Main St., Salisbury, where it has encountered difficulties with city regulations.
Steve and Belinda Wyatt, owners of the property, detailed plans to designate large areas for paintball games and a pro shop. Netting will surrounding the game areas to prevent people from straying onto the range or paintballs from escaping.
Planning Board members had several questions.
“I have absolutely no idea” of the answers, responded Lytle, adding that he has seen paintball guns in Kmart but that was the extent of his knowledge about the game.
Planning Board members then got a short education on the world of paintball. The Wyatts said all the netting and other facilities will comply with standards set by the American Paintball Association. The couple will carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance.
- Approved rezoning of 1.5 acres fronting N.C. 801 in the Woodleaf area for a combination convenience store and restaurant.
Paul and Eloise Cockerham said they plan a family-run store which would serve the community.
“People who live in rural areas can appreciate a sandwich shop,” said board member Terry Hill.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners will conduct hearings on the recommendations, probably on March 19.
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