By Elena Marsh
Staff Writer
The Moore County Board of Commissioners decided unanimously to deny the amendment to allow developments of major subdivisions in the Seven Lakes and Woodlake gated communities.
In August, a request was made to the county to allow developers to submit applications for major subdivisions in the county’s defined Gated Community Seven Lakes and Gated Community Woodlake zoning districts. While the districts already contain major subdivisions, no further major subdivisions are allowed in these areas.
At that time, the county voted to postpone the hearing indefinitely to an undetermined time and date but preferably after the Land Use Plan update was deemed complete and a better understanding of future planning could be reached.
However, that date came sooner than expected as, last month, commissioners voted to reopen the public hearing to seek feedback from the public.
While both of the communities were included in the proposed development ordinance update, it was the residents of Seven Lakes that 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 vacant parcels in Seven Lakes that could have been eligible for subdivision. A local builder and resident of Seven Lakes, Bob Van Houten, had made the request to the county to update the ordinance with the goal of developing some parcels in Seven Lakes West to fit with the character of the area.
Van Houten stated that, should a buyer or developer purchase one or more of those parcels, they may not respect the characteristics of the area. Some speakers and residents agreed with Van Houten, however, the majority were against the kind of development Van Houten presented.
Ultimately, commissioners decided that updating the ordinance in such a way as was proposed was counterintuitive to the communities as they exist today.
This story will be updated.
Contact Elena Marsh at (910) 693-2484 or elena@thepilot.com.
