By ELENA MARSH
Staff Writer
Engaged residents of Seven Lakes and Woodlake may be pleased to know that they won’t be seeing any major subdivisions crop up in their communities in the near future.
However, Moore County officials caution that change is always possible, especially should prime parcels be purchased for possible development in a county that has been undergoing significant growth.
The Moore County Board of Commissioners last month decided unanimously to reject an amendment that would allow the development of major subdivisions within the Seven Lakes and Woodlake gated communities.
A major subdivision is defined in the county’s unified development ordinance as “a division of land into five or more lots … or a subdivision of two or more lots involving the creation, change or expansion of a new or existing private or public streets.”
In August, the board heard an initial request on this matter but chose to postpone the hearing indefinitely until after the county finishes its update of its Land Use Plan. But commissioners changed their minds last month and agreed to reopen the matter again to seek feedback from the public.
While the gated communities were included in the proposed development ordinance update, it was the residents of Seven Lakes who felt the change in the ordinance would affect them the most. All of the speakers present at the meeting were residents of Seven Lakes.
There are parcels in Seven Lakes that could have been eligible for subdivision. A local builder and resident of Seven Lakes, Bob Van Houten, made the request to the county to update the ordinance, with the goal of developing some parcels to fit with the character of the area. No actual subdivision was created, nor was there an application made for the county.
Van Houten said that, should a buyer or developer purchase one or more of those parcels, they may not respect the characteristics of the area. Current zoning on those parcels allow for agricultural uses as well as potential for minor subdivisions.
Minor subdivisions are defined as creating a maximum of four lots that do not require any new public or private street right of way to be constructed, expanded or dedicated to the area. Minor subdivisions are also approved at the staff level and, as long as they conform to all requirements, do not have to come before any county board for approval.
Some speakers and residents agreed with Van Houten, trusting that his potential development would be a beneficial addition to the area and were worried what else could end up in those areas should a different developer come along. However, the majority were against the kind of development Van Houten presented.
The watershed and health of the lakes was a concern, including how sediment and erosion would impact the waterways. The waterways themselves were brought up as an amenity, along with the golf course and pool that would not benefit from a spike in residents.
“The development (Van Houten) is proposing does not sound half bad,” said Commissioner John Ritter. “I can see the good in that. I am concerned about the unintended consequences with the golf course and with other things. It is unfortunate, but I see the conundrum.”
Vice Chair Nick Picerno, who lives in McLendon Hills west of Seven Lakes, believed that, ultimately, the majority of residents not in favor of the change was enough to keep an “if it isn’t broke then don’t fix it” mentality.
“The current zoning says it does not allow,” said Picerno. “I do think (the amendment) is consistent with our Land Use Plan. However, I do not think that we should vote in favor of this text amendment.”
Ultimately, the commissioners decided that updating the ordinance as proposed was counterintuitive to the communities as they exist today.
“This is not a winners-versus-losers situation,” said Picerno. “This is just the way the government works. It is hard sitting in these seats and feeling like we are making a choice between winners and losers.”
Picerno said he recommends residents of Seven Lakes stay informed about the land uses in their community and keep an eye on what could potentially happen to that land should other developers show interest.
Contact Elena Marsh at (910) 693-2484 or elena@thepilot.com.
