ASHEBORO — The City of Asheboro Council met Thursday, where they approved a budget amendment for unexpected costs related to the Zoo City Sportsplex, as well as held multiple public hearings for rezoning requests.
The council approved a $2,674,019 budgetary amendment to account for a change order with Terry’s Plumbing and Utilities, Inc. regarding the Zoo City Sportsplex Project.
“This work includes $940,953 of additional rock removal from the site,” said City Engineer Michael Leonard, PE. “The estimated excavation was for 10,000 cubic yards, and we ended up encountering approximately 24,500 cubic yards, most of which was in phase two.”
In addition, the change order also includes the construction of the restroom and concession stand for phase two, as well as all paving, concrete, and other pertinent items to complete phase one of the Sportsplex.
“I can tell you what,” said Mayor David Smith. “Part of what has made this an expensive and difficult project is exactly what’s going to make it one of the prettiest projects. The topography and the step down for terracing. It’s just going to be so beautiful, but we’re paying for it.”
The city council held three public hearings regarding five different rezoning requests.
The first hearing was for an application to amend RA6 CZ zoning on property 3140 Zoo Parkway, including lots within the Parkway South Townhomes subdivision and the city’s sewer lift station.
“The purpose of this hearing is to request that the zoning approval be given to allow what are currently privately maintained streets within this planned unit development to be converted to publicly maintained streets,” said Community Development Director Trevor Nuttall.
There are 38 parcels involved in the request totaling just over 7.5 acres of land, all within the city limits. Still, due to the conditions of the roads, solid waste services would have to be done via dumpsters as the streets are not large enough for garbage truck collection.
The next public hearing was for an application to rezone property on the west side of Zoo Parkway, which is a planned residential unit development located approximately 225 feet south of Ridge Avenue from R10 to R7.5 CZ.
“This request is for townhomes,” Nuttall said. “The proposal is for 14 lots or homes that would be accessed via a private street or driveway. These would be single-story homes between 825 and 855 square feet each. Under the city’s ordinance, such a project is viewed as a residential planned unit development. The property is within the city limits, and utilities are available, so no annexation would be required in this case.”
The council’s final public hearing was for an application to rezone three separate properties.
The request was to rezone 1352 East Salisbury Street from OA6 to OA6 CZ for business, professional and personal services and an overflow parking area, to rezone 342 Patton Avenue from R10 to OA6 CZ for business, professional and personal services, and to amend the I2 CZ property at 1420 East Salisbury Street due to proposed changes to the motor vehicle repair and rental/sales of domestic motor vehicles uses.
“There are three addresses included within this request,” Nuttall said. “Three different zoning requests here. An amendment to an industrial zoning district, a request to take property from R10 general district residential to a conditioned office and apartment district, and then a request to take property from a general office and apartment to an amended conditional zoning OA6 district.”
The city council approved all three requests following the hearings.
The council then approved a subdivision sketch design review for the proposed Thomas Estates development.
“This is the first step in the City’s Three Step Process for subdivision review and approval,” Nuttall said. “This, in essence, is the concept or master plan that is being proposed for this project. It’s a part of one Randolph County pin, just over 13 acres in size with 38 lots total meaning an average lot size of three-tenths of an acre.”
The council also rejected all bids associated with the Industrial Park Avenue Sidewalk Improvements Projects following a staff recommendation.
“We believe there are other options available to the city to complete this project,” Nuttall said. “The proposals we received for both the inspection services and the construction were over the budget, so we think there are potentially better options.”
The council then approved the creation of an ordinance to prohibit on-street parking on both sides of West Kivett Street between South Church Street and South Park Street and both sides of East Kivett Street between Cox Street and Main Street.
The City of Asheboro Council will next meet August 4.
