Asheboro is one step closer to getting some new housing units as the Asheboro Council approved a rezoning request for an extension of the Arlington Square community. The approval, which signs off on development plans calling for 180 two-bedroom units, happened at the council’s Thursday, March 7 meeting alongside a number of other issues.
The rezoning request, affecting just under 16 acres located adjacent to 1901 North Fayetteville Street will allow for a residential development with multiple family dwelling units with a floor area ratio up to 22%.
According to Community Development Director Trevor Nuttall, the development will, in essence, be an extension of the Arlington Square community and less dense than the existing units.
The city will be applying for a state grant/loan for the W.L. Brown Water Treatment Plant Emerging Contaminants Planning Project, requesting funds from the bipartisan infrastructure bill to address PFAS and other water quality issues.
“North Carolina received $469 million in this legislation and its focus was for safe water across the state,” explained water resources director Michael Rhoney. “It included money for lead pipe service inventory and replacement and addressing emerging contaminants, particularly PFAS. Funding is also available for planning studies to address how we’re going to address PFAS in our water.”
Per the CDC website, PFAS, which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. They do not break down in the environment and have been linked to health problems with growth and development and reproduction.
“We know we’re going to have to install treatment, so we need to go ahead and have a plan in place for what we’re going to do,” Rhoney said. “We’re going to use the money to hire a consultant to come in, evaluate our water and provide us some options for treatment techniques and come up with a plan to move forward with construction for the treatment process.”
The council was also updated on a roadway naming change, removing the NC 159 designation from Zoo Parkway.
“In its place is a new secondary road number, SR 3017,” Nuttall told the council. “In its place is a new secondary road number, SR 3017. The NC 159 designation is being relocated to the Zoo Connector, so it will begin at the 64 Bypass, take you into the zoo and continue to the roundabout.”
The goal, Nuttell says, is to encourage zoo visitors to use the bypass and “to give a direct shot from US 64 to NC 159.”
The Asheboro City Council will next meet April 4.
