By Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Preliminary work has begun on an expansive residential subdivision off Sunset Drive in Salisbury.
Ashton Manor, to be constructed in the 200 block of Sunset Drive, will include 61 townhouses and 50 single-family lots.
John Fletcher, general manager for Ashton Manor LLC of Concord, said the company bought the property based on a layout approved by the city in 2002.
We thought we could do better, he said.
The Salisbury Planning Board approved a revised site plan for the development Tuesday. Final approval must come from Salisbury City Council.
The site takes in a total of 22.8 acres. The proposal for townhomes, which will be a forward component nearer Sunset Drive, takes the place of condominiums from the earlier plan, Fletcher said.
The development also will use a Duke Energy easement through the middle of the property as a dividing point between the townhomes and the single-family homes.
The townhomes will be contained within 16 separate buildings. Five townhomes would be the most in any one building.
The new plan also makes minor modifications to streets and provides for a bigger alley (12 feet wide instead of 10 feet) behind the townhomes.
The development will include decorative light poles, street trees between curbs and sidewalks and some buffer of vegetation or landscaping between Sunset Drive and the townhomes.
Ashton Manor generally will extend from Sunset Drive south toward Briarwoood Avenue, filling in acreage, for example, behind the former Plejs and Kidsports on South Main Street.
The Planning Board approved the revisions by an 8-0 vote.
I think its a better plan now, said Jeff Smith, who was a member of the board when it OKd the original plan.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mwineka@salisburypost.com