PITTSBORO — The town’s board of commissioners held a public hearing to discuss a rezoning request for a proposed multi-family dwelling community during its regular meeting Monday evening. The rezoning request was approved unanimously after commissioners shared concerns with the lack of affordable housing proposed in the development.
Pittsboro Planner II Janie Phelps presented the request regarding the development, which would be located off Suttles Road near Chatham Park. Property owners Grantham Family LLC asked to rezone the 76-acre plot from R-A2 Residential Agriculture 2 acre to MR-CZ Multi-Family Conditional Zoning. The MR-CZ classification would allow for developers to build a wide array of housing types, including single-family detached dwellings, duplex homes, townhouses, apartments, public parks or recreation facilities, private recreation/entertainment facilities and more. All housing units are proposed to be rentals, according to the applicant.
The planning board voted unanimously to approve the request as they found the rezoning request was “consistent with all provisions of the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) and Code of Ordinances.”
“We’re just working with the tools this board has created within the UDO toolbox,” Nick Robinson, the attorney representing the applicant, said.
While the multi-family conditional zoning would allow for a diverse selection of housing types, the plans for this development only included single-family detached homes, town houses and apartments.
Commissioners shared they wished to see more options in the development as the zoning would allow for various housing types.
Commissioner John Bonitz asked about subsidized affordable housing and if it would make up a portion of the proposed development. Robinson said since the affordable housing incentive program in Pittsboro is optional, the developers opted to not plan for subsidized units.
He added, however, there would be “affordable options” for buyers or renters interested in the proposed community.
“It’s not technically affordable under the legal definition,” Robinson said. “I just mean more affordable than what would be allowed under the current zoning.”
Bonitz said he was concerned because of what he said is a lack of affordable units.
“It’s not the density that concerns me, it’s the lack of density that concerns me,” he said. “With this larger acreage also not offering any affordable housing, I think Chatham Park investors are running out of land in proximity to the current activity centers … and a close proximity to those services is absolutely vital and critical to affordable housing, so what is the plan?”
Robinson said developers are looking to update a small area plan for Chatham Park, which would help determine a centralized location to place up to 1,200 affordable housing units.
Mayor Pro Tem Pamela Baldwin voiced the same concern as Bonitz, saying she wants to see more diverse, affordable housing options.
“Basically, when you say affordable, you’re not talking about subsidized homes,” Baldwin said. “We’re talking about those workforce homes so people who work in the town of Pittsboro … can afford to at least buy condo if not a single-family home. That’s my concern.”
Commissioner Kyle Shipp said he shared the same concerns as Bontiz and Baldwin, but he said the rezoning request would help create an opportunity to build various housing types, which could allow for more affordable options.
“Going from RA-2 to this many multifamily units is what we’re trying to do to make things more affordable,” he said. “I just think we’re limited in what we’re able to compel in these cases.”
Reporter Taylor Heeden can be reached at theeden@chathamnr.com.