The Smithfield Town Council has unanimously approved a third revision to the master plan for the East River subdivision on Buffalo Road just north of Booker Dairy Road.
Developer Reid Smith of Clayton said the new plan will allow for construction of a new central park feature, new mail kiosk area and guest parking for triplex lots. It would also improve the routing of the greenway away from the cul-de-sac and pump station.
Initially, East River was approved in December 2018 for 315 residential lots, consisting of 280 detached single family lots and up to 35 townhome units on a 54 acre tract. A revised change was made in April 2020 to address major stormwater management changes.
The third master plan, approved by the council on December 1st, will allow the number of phases in the subdivision to be reduced from nine to seven. Phases 1 and 2 have already been completed. The updated plan now allows for 293 residential lots including 168 detached single family residential lots, 60 attached single-family tri-plex lots and 65 townhouse lots.
Smithfield Planning Director Stephen Wensman said the revised plans were consistent with the previously approved master plans with regard to Cluster Subdivision Standards.
A public greenway will run through the center of the East River development connecting the Buffalo Road trail to the central park and the Neuse River trail, Wensman said. East River will be served by Town water, sewer and electric services.
During a public hearing, John Twisdale Jr. asked the council to require the developer to increase the landscaping density along the border with his family’s property. Smith, the developer, said the proposed landscaping already met town standards and no changes were needed. The council agreed with Smith and unanimously approved the revised master plan with no additional landscaping density.
