SMITHFIELD – Following a three hour public hearing, the Smithfield Town Council voted unanimously to reject a special use permit request for a 60-unit townhome development on Country Club Road at US 301 South. Crantock Land, LLC wanted to develop a 8.06 acre tract at the intersection.
Attorneys Andy Petesch of Raleigh and Lew Starling of Smithfield represented 23 landowners opposed to the project. Opponents expressed concerns about noise, littering, privacy, water runoff, a new sewer pump station, and numerous unanswered questions in the special use permit application. Jim Spangler with Spangler Environmental testified the townhomes would have an adverse impact on adjoining properties including Holt Lake.
James Lucas, a real estate appraiser, said the proposed development could potentially devalue adjacent properties by five percent.
Selma attorney Marcus Burrell represented the developer. He said townhomes were a permitted use in the zoning district. Smithfield’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) would allow a pawn shop, hotel, convenience store, ABC store or video arcade on the same property without a special use permit.
Smithfield planning staff had recommended approval of the 60 townhomes.
Following the lengthy public hearing Tuesday night, the council voted 6-to-0 to deny the request saying the project did not adhere to all town regulations, would not be in harmony with existing adjacent homes, and would have an adverse impact on adjoining properties.
The mayor was against this all along, he lives nearby.