Selma Council Calls Special Meeting On Controversial Affordable Housing Complex
SELMA — The Selma Town Council has scheduled a special-called meeting for Friday, Nov. 21, to reconsider a rezoning request for a proposed low-income apartment complex that has drawn significant debate.
The project, known as Waterbury Gardens, calls for 115 units across five three-story buildings on an 11.7-acre tract on Outlet Center Drive near U.S. 70 Business.
Council members first tabled the project in October after questions were raised about whether an 8-inch water line that dead-ends near the site could provide adequate service for the development. At a follow-up public hearing Nov. 12, representatives of TWG Development LLC of Indianapolis, Indiana presented two potential solutions to improve water pressure for the complex.
The property is owned by sisters Sylvia and Loretta Wall, who inherited the land from their father, Q.K. Wall, a longtime Johnston County education leader. The family has held the property since the 1800s. Speaking at the hearing, Sylvia Wall voiced support for the project, saying the need for affordable housing is growing and that the development would benefit the community.
Johnston County Commissioner Ted Godwin also spoke in favor of the proposal during the Nov. 12 hearing. “It’s a good plan and I support it,” Godwin said, noting the county’s need for more affordable housing options.
Opponents raised concerns about additional traffic along already congested Outlet Center Drive and the ability of police to serve the new complex. Developers said they plan to install security cameras but do not intend to hire private security.
A motion to approve the rezoning failed in a 3–2 vote. Mayor Byron McAllister urged the council to table the matter to allow time for more information.
The council will reconvene Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. to continue discussion of Waterbury Gardens and is expected to hold another vote on the rezoning.
TWG Development Associates is reportedly considering a site on Magnolia Drive near Venture Drive in the Smithfield city limits for a similar multifamily project.
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So they want more crime to come to Selma? Just think about the redwoods apartments and all the “low income” apartments they currently have. They all got one common thing. CRIME.
So poverty breeds crime, sounds like you should do more activism to ensure that the people around you in the community have their basic needs met
Hi Maria,
Why don’t you go do activism where the 12 year old kid died. It’s section 8 and guess what? None of those clowns we were willing to help with the death of a 12 year old kid. Section 8 is full of crime.
This is what happens when you don’t vote accordingly! This is an insane project and a terrible idea. Who would think this is a “good” idea?! not a smart person #facts
I thought Outlet Drive was commercial zoned.
Low income housing for senior citizens is what is truly needed and they do not bring crime.
The low income housing includes the senior citizens first
Why should Selma hold a special meeting on a Friday. It can’t be that urgent! I’m willing to bet a council member will be out of town for the vote. It also opens the prospect for the town to get more grant dollars for the low income. Selma has a lot of these neighborhoods already. Just saying what needs to be said.
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There is only one winner if this is approved, twg development. Carwash, dollar general, storage unit, or a new Mustang Ranch are all better choices.
Just coming here to say I support the mustang ranch idea.
The last thing Selma needs is more low income housing. Look at what it has done already! There’s too much. Smithfield kept pushing off low income housing for good reasons. Selma has too many low income housing and rentals already. I get that this is away from residents but still no. No more.