HomeMy WebLinkAboutZ19-10 Staff Report PB 10.3.2019Z19-10 Staff Summary PB 10.3.2019 Page 1 of 10
STAFF REPORT FOR Z19-10
ZONING MAP AMENDMENT APPLICATION
R-5 MODERATE-HIGH RESIDENTIAL ZONING OVERVIEW
The R-5 Moderate-High Residential Zoning District is one of eight new zoning districts
approved by the Board of Commissioners in July.
The intent of the R-5 district is to provide moderate to high density residential development
on smaller lots in conjunction with a compact and walkable development design. The R-5
district permits a range of housing types that can be developed in concert with non-
residential developments, creating a mixed-use development pattern. This district serves as
a transition between mixed-use or commercial development and low to moderate density
residential developments.
The R-5 district allows duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, townhomes, and accessory
dwelling units. However, mobile homes and multi-family developments, such as traditional
apartments, are not permitted in this district.
APPLICATION SUMMARY
Case Number: Z19-10
Request:
Zoning Map amendment to rezone 5.28 acres from R-15 to R-5
Applicant: Property Owner(s):
William Bland – TDR-HL, LLC TDR-HL, LLC
Location: Acreage:
7300 Block of Springwater Drive;
7400 Block of Murrayville Road;
1300-1400 Block of Crooked Pine Road
5.28
PID(s): Comp Plan Place Type:
Portion of R02800-004-104-000 Community Mixed Use
Existing Land Use: Proposed Land Use:
Undeveloped
The property would be allowed to
be developed in accordance with
the R-5 district
Current Zoning: Proposed Zoning:
R-15 R-5 Moderate-High Residential
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SURROUNDING AREA
LAND USE ZONING
North Undeveloped, Future Military Cutoff Road extension R-15
East Undeveloped, Future Military Cutoff Road extension R-15
South Single-Family Residential R-15
West Single-Family Residential R-15
ZONING HISTORY
July 7, 1972 Initially zoned R-15 (Area 8B)
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COMMUNITY SERVICES
Water/Sewer
CFPUA water and sewer mainline extensions will be required to serve the
project. Additional improvements are needed to provide sewer to the site.
Specific design will be determined during site plan review.
Fire Protection New Hanover County Fire Services, New Hanover County Northern Fire
District, New Hanover County Station Porters Neck
Schools Murrayville Elementary, Holly Shelter Middle, and Laney High Schools
Recreation Ogden Park, Smith Creek Park, and Parkwood Recreational Area
CONSERVATION, HISTORIC, & ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Conservation No known conservation resources
Historic No known historic resources
Archaeological No known archaeological resources
ZONING CONSIDERATIONS
The applicant is proposing to rezone approximately 5.28 acres from R-15 to R-5 within an
undeveloped section of the Hanover Reserve subdivision between the terminus of
Murrayville Road and the future extension of Military Cutoff. The subdivision obtained
preliminary plan approval in 2015 for 377 units. To date, 192 single-family lots have been
platted within the subdivision, most of which now contain occupied single-family homes.
The R-15 and R-5 districts are both residential zoning districts. While the R-5 district (8
du/ac) permits more base density than the R-15 district (2.5 du/ac), it prohibits mobile
homes and typical multi-family development, like apartments, allowing a maximum of 4
units within any residential structure. In addition, the special use permit for high density
developments is not permitted in the R-5 district, and the number of permitted nonresidential
uses is reduced.
R-15 R-5
Min Lot Size (Conventional) 15,000 sf 5,000 sf
Base Density (Performance) 2.5 du/ac (13 total units) 8 du/ac
(42 total units)
HD Special Use Permit 10.2 du/ac (54 total units) N/A
Permitted Housing Types
Single-family, mobile home,
duplex, townhomes, multi-
family
Single-family, duplex,
townhome (max 4-units)
Nonresidential Uses
≈ 20 uses w/ SUP
(convenience stores, kennels,
camping)
≈ 15 uses by-right
(wholesale nurseries, stables)
≈ 10 uses w/ SUP
(recreation establishments,
day care centers)
≈ 10 uses by-right (parks,
libraries, churches)
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According to the applicant, they are seeking to construct townhomes within the area
proposed to be rezoned.
Because this is a general map amendment and not a conditional rezoning, uses that would
be allowed on the property are those allowed by right or by Special Use Permit in the R-5
district. A conceptual site plan is not included with this application, however, if approved,
the development of the site must comply with the standards of the R-5 district and other
applicable regulations, including buffering and stormwater standards.
A 20-foot minimum buffer is required around the northwestern property line of the project
because the proposed development is adjacent to single-family dwellings within the
Quailwoods subdivision. This required buffer will aid in screening the subject property from
property owners to the west along Murrayville Road. In addition, the townhome units will
be restricted to a maximum height of 35 feet, which is the same standard applied in the R-
15 district. Compliance with these provisions will be reviewed by the Technical Review
Committee during the subdivision review process.
Hanover Reserve Subdivision and Surrounding Properties:
During the design of the Military Cutoff extension project, NCDOT negotiated with the
developer to extend Murrayville Road to connect to the future Military Cutoff
extension. Doing so will allow Murrayville Road to be utilized as an east/west collector
road, ultimately connecting Castle Hayne Road to Military Cutoff.
It is anticipated the applicant will propose additional rezoning(s) in the future to allow for
commercial and higher density residential development on the remaining portions of the site
(approximately 50 acres – highlighted in yellow above), as the direct access to arterial and
collector type streets could support this development.
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TRANSPORTATION
The subject site is located between the terminus of Murrayville Road and the future Military
Cutoff extension. Springwater Drive, a local private street within the Hanover Reserve
subdivision stubs to the subject property and will likely provide initial access to the
development.
The applicant has completed a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) which was approved by NCDOT
and the WMPO in 2017. The TIA analyzed the development of 330 single-family dwellings
within the development and requires Murrayville Road to be extended to the future Military
Cuttoff extension, and signal timing to be modified at the intersections of Torchwood
Boulevard at Market Street and Gordon Road at White Road.
Typically, single-family dwellings generate approximately one trip in the peak hours, while
townhomes generate approximately 0.5 trips in the peak hours. A by-right residential
development on the site under the current zoning would allow 13 dwelling units, which would
generate about 10 trips in the AM peak hours and 13 trips in the PM peak hours. Under
the proposed R-5 zoning, up to 42 townhomes could be constructed on the site, which would
generate about 19 trips in the AM peak hours and 24 trips in the PM peak hours.
NCDOT has indicated that since the proposed rezoning, and the potential to develop
approximately 40 townhomes on the subject site, would not increase the overall intensity
analyzed in the TIA, an update to the analysis would not be necessary at this time. However,
if the applicant moves forward with commercial and higher density housing within the
remaining portion of development, a revised TIA would be required.
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Once connected to Military Cutoff, Murrayville Road will likely be utilized as a significant
east/west collector road that will connect Castle Hayne Road to Military Cutoff, allowing
access to the Murrayville, Northchase, and the Laney High School areas. This may aid in
alleviating traffic along Gordon Road and other local roadways as motorists have
additional routes to reach their destination in the northern portion of the County.
The specific design of the Murrayville Road connection to Military Cutoff has not been
finalized by the developer or NCDOT at this time. The Military Cutoff extension will be
installed as a superstreet type road, prohibiting left-out movements. It is anticipated when
the connection is made, that there will be a left over movement to enter the proposed
development (northbound) and a right in movement while traveling southbound. Traffic
exiting the proposed development will be required to make a right turn movement onto
Military Cutoff extension.
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Nearby Planned Transportation Improvements and Traffic Impact Analyses
Nearby NC STIP Projects:
STIP Project U-4751 (Military Cutoff Extension)
o Project to extend Military Cutoff from Market Street to I-140.
o The project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in early-
2023.
o The extension of Military Cutoff will run about three quarters of a mile west of the
subject site. Lendire Road/Brittany Lakes Drive, Torchwood Boulevard, and Putnam
Drive/Bradfield Court will connect to the Military Cutoff extension, allowing access
to neighborhoods west of the site.
o The project will also install a sidewalk and multi-use path along the extension of
Military Cutoff and the sections of Market Street included in the project.
o NCDOT recently obtained ownership of Lendire Road from Market Street to the
Military Cutoff extension. The connection of Lendire Road to the future Military
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Cuttoff will allow the road to function as a collector street, however, NCDOT does
not have any current plans to make improvements to the road.
STIP Project U-4902D (Market Street Median)
o Project to install a center median and pedestrian accessways along Market Street
from Middle Sound Loop Road to Marsh Oaks Drive. The pedestrian accessways
will consist of a 10-foot multi-use path on the eastern side of the street, and a 5-
foot sidewalk on the western side of the street.
o The project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in early-
2023.
Nearby Traffic Impact Analyses:
Traffic Impact Analyses are completed in accordance with the WMPO and NCDOT standards.
Approved analyses must be re-examined by NCDOT if the proposed development is not completed by
the build out date established within the TIA.
Proposed Development Land Use/Intensity TIA Status
1. Cameron Trace
Phase 1: 35 single-family
dwellings
Phase 2: 85 single-family
dwellings
Approved May 8, 2017
2017 Build Out Year
The TIA required improvements must be completed during Phase 2 of the development. The
notable improvements consisted of:
Providing an eastbound left turn lane at the intersection of Murrayville Road and Covey
Lane
Nearby Proposed Developments included within the TIA:
N/A
Development Status: Phase 1 has been constructed and the left turn lane has been installed.
Phase 2 site work is underway and the lots were recorded on June 3, 2019.
2. Hanover Reserve 330 single-family dwellings Approved July 13, 2017
2018 Build Out Year
The TIA required improvements be completed at certain intersections in the area. The notable
improvements consisted of:
Connecting Murrayville Road to Military Cutoff extension
Modify the signal timing at Torchwood Boulevard at Market Street, and White Road at
Gordon Road.
Nearby Proposed Developments included within the TIA:
Cameron Trace
Development Status: 192 lots have been platted and are under construction, most of which
now contain occupied single-family dwellings.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
The property is not within a Natural Heritage Area or Special Flood Hazard Area.
The property is within the Smith Creek (C;Sw) watershed.
Per the Classification of Soils in New Hanover County for Septic Tank Suitability, soils on
the property consist of Class III (severe limitation) soils, however, the project will connect to
CFPUA sewer services when capacity is available or when alternative infrastructure
improvements have been made.
2016 COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN
The New Hanover County Future Land Use Map provides a general representation of the vision for
New Hanover County’s future land use, as designated by place types describing the character and
function of the different types of development that make up the community. These place types are
intended to identify general areas for particular development patterns and should not be
interpreted as being parcel specific.
Future Land Use
Map Place Type Community Mixed Use
Place Type
Description
Focuses on small-scale, compact, mixed use development patterns that serve
all modes of travel and act as an attractor for county residents and
visitors. Types of appropriate uses include office, retail, mixed use,
recreational, commercial, institutional, and multi-family and single-family
residential.
Analysis
The subject property is located near the intersection of Murrayville Rd. and
Crooked Pine Rd., between the Quail Woods subdivision, the portion of
Hanover Reserve already platted, and the extension of Military Cutoff Rd.
currently under construction. This portion of the county was designated as a
Community Mixed Use place type in the Comprehensive Plan to provide
opportunities for a greater mix of uses and diversity of housing types in this
currently undeveloped area adjacent to an anticipated major roadway.
The proposed R-5 zoning, one of the new zoning tools adopted in 2019 to
provide for the development patterns outlined in the Comprehensive Plan,
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would allow the moderate density neighborhoods recommended for
Community Mixed Use areas. It is intended to serve as a transition between
mixed-use or commercial development (such as what is likely along Military
Cutoff) and low (such as R-15) to moderate density residential
development.
The requested R-5 zoning could assist in providing an orderly transition
between existing lower density residential areas and the higher intensity
mixed use node likely to occur along Military Cutoff in this area. Its densities
are in line with those recommended for residential developments in
Community Mixed Use areas and aligns with the county’s goals of providing
for a range of housing types.
Consistency
Recommendation
The proposed R-5 rezoning is generally CONSISTENT with the 2016
Comprehensive Plan because it would provide an orderly transition between
existing lower density residential neighborhoods and anticipated higher
intensity development adjacent to Military Cutoff Rd. and would align with
the Comprehensive Plan’s goals of more diversity of housing types.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The proposed R-5 rezoning is generally CONSISTENT with the 2016 Comprehensive Plan because
it would provide an orderly transition between existing lower density residential neighborhoods
and anticipated higher intensity development adjacent to Military Cutoff Rd. and would align with
the Comprehensive Plan’s goals of more diversity of housing types.
Therefore, staff recommends approval of this application and suggests the following motion:
I move to APPROVE the proposed rezoning to a R-5 district. I find it to be
CONSISTENT with the purposes and intent of the Comprehensive Plan because the
proposal provides an orderly transition between the existing lower density residential
areas and the anticipated higher intensity development adjacent to Military Cutoff
Road and provides for a range of housing types along an anticipated major roadway.
I also find APPROVAL of the rezoning request is reasonable and in the public interest
because the proposal supports opportunities for more affordable housing and assists
with providing a range of housing types to the area.
Alternative Motion for Denial
I move to DENY the proposed rezoning to a R-5 district. While I find it to be
CONSISTENT with the purposes and intent of the Comprehensive Plan because the
proposal provides an orderly transition between the existing lower density residential
areas and the anticipated higher intensity development adjacent to Military Cutoff
Road, and provides for a range of housing types along an anticipated major roadway.
I find DENIAL of the rezoning request is reasonable and in the public interest because
the proposal is not consistent with the desired character of the surrounding community
and the density will adversely impact the adjacent neighborhoods.