PB Agenda Packet - Aug 6 2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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169776813.1 Exhibit A Justification Statement in Support of Atlas Map Amendment The subject property is approximately 63.99 acres located along Highway 54 north of the intersection with White Coss Road in White Cross. Surrounding and nearby land uses include homes and farms, American Legion Post No. 6, Fiesta Grill, Bravos Market, Whitecross Mart, Carrboro Tropicals, Aguilar Tire and Automotive Center, Casework Arts and Stone Services. Surrounding and nearby properties are zoned Residential-1, Agricultural-Residential, Neighborhood Commercial, and Local Commercial. The subject property is zoned Residential-1 (“R-1”). R-1 allows for rural non-farm residential development at a density of one unit per acre under a conventional subdivision process. We propose to rezone the property to Residential Conditional District (“R-CD”) to allow for 43 homes with design flexibility in accordance with an associated site plan and written conditions that address compatibility and harmony with the surrounding area. The Future Land Use Map of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan designates this property Rural Residential and includes it in a Rural Community Activity Node. The Rural Residential encourages low density residential development such as this. The Rural Community Activity Node acknowledges that the area is appropriate for certain commercial or institutional uses. Although there are many such uses in this area, none are proposed here. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan’s Land Use Element of the begins by stating that “a fundamental and repeated concept expressed throughout each of the Elements of the Comprehensive Plan is the need to plan for sustainable growth.” Between 2010 and 2020, Orange County’s population grew by 11%, adding nearly 15,000 new residents. The Plan clearly indicates a need for additional housing to accommodate the County’s fast-growing population, but also that housing should be developed thoughtfully with the intention of maintaining the area’s rural character and critical natural resources. The Rigsbee development is intended to meet this need. The neighborhood will provide new homes for 43 families while preserving nearly 20 acres of contiguous land as primary open space for habitat preservation and passive recreation. The design protects the creek and all associated floodplains and buffers, and incorporates green stormwater features to infiltrate and clean storm runoff for an added layer of protection. Rigsbee will also be built outside of prime forest land on a property managed for many years for active forestry and agriculture. The new community’s open spaces will ultimately protect its most valuable land to preserve its ecological integrity while also meeting the need for sustainable long-term growth. Our goal is to create a thoughtfully designed community at Rigsbee with sustainable practices integrated throughout, embracing the beauty of its natural setting and its long agricultural history. Low-impact design and green stormwater management features are incorporated throughout the community to naturally capture and treat stormwater, following practices designed to protect nearby Collins Creek and its tributaries so that they remain healthy and clean. We are proposing up to 43 lots of about 20,000 square feet, each with its own septic system and serviced by a community well. Homes will be situated along two central spines, all with easy access to a network of trails and a shared green space with a Great Lawn, covered open air structure for community gathering, outdoor grill and nature play area, enhancing residents’ sense of cohesive community and connection to the natural world. 27