Selma Council Says No Again To Higher-Density Development On Lizzie Mill Road

SELMA, N.C. — For the second time in three months, the Selma Town Council has unanimously rejected a rezoning request for a 17.7-acre tract on Lizzie Mill Road proposed for residential development.

During its June 9 meeting, the council voted to deny a request to rezone the property, located in Selma’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) in the 2000 block of Lizzie Mill Road, from R-20 residential to R-10 residential.

The property, owned by Luis Rodriguez and Artemia Garcia of Selma, is located outside the town limits but within the area where Selma exercises zoning authority.

The latest proposal followed a March 10 request by Godwin Engineering of Benson to rezone the same tract from R-20 to Transitional (TR) zoning to allow a townhome development. That request was also unanimously denied by the council after residents raised concerns about traffic, density, stormwater runoff, and impacts on surrounding farmland.

Under the property’s current R-20 zoning, approximately 27 homes could be built. The proposed R-10 zoning would allow approximately 41 single family homes. The previously requested Transitional zoning could have permitted roughly 120 townhome units on the site.

Town planning staff advised the request was not consistent with Selma’s Future Land Use Plan.

The Selma Planning Board found the request inconsistent with the land use plan but determined it was reasonable and recommended approval.

During the public hearing, local farmer Brooks Peedin urged the council to consider the long-term loss of farmland in Johnston County.

Peedin cited statistics indicating Johnston County ranks first in North Carolina and 19th nationally among more than 3,100 counties for farmland loss. He said North Carolina ranks second among all states for farmland loss and noted the state lost approximately 732,000 acres of farmland between 2001 and 2016.

At the current pace, Peedin said, North Carolina is projected to lose approximately 1.2 million acres of farmland by 2040.

Jennifer Edwards also spoke against the rezoning request, citing concerns about traffic safety, stormwater runoff, increased housing density, and compatibility with the surrounding area.

Edwards urged council members to preserve the integrity of the community and surrounding farmland.

The applicant argued that continued growth in the area is inevitable and said the proposed development represented an effort to make appropriate use of the property. The developer also stated any drainage, stormwater, or wetland issues would be addressed in coordination with state, county, and local agencies during the development process.

The applicant further indicated annexation into the Town of Selma would be requested if the rezoning were approved in order to obtain municipal utility services.

Following the public hearing, council members unanimously denied the request.

Mayor Byron McAllister said the town’s land use plan designated the area for lower-density development for a reason and cautioned against continually changing zoning standards to accommodate development proposals.

“We need to be smart about how we grow,” McAllister said. “Growth is gonna’ happen but you have to be intentional about how you grow. You have to be smart. If you draw a line in the sand, it’s useless if you keep moving the line.”

The vote leaves the property zoned R-20, allowing future residential development at the lower density currently permitted under town regulations.