For the third time since 2003 the Wake Forest Planning Board voted not to recommend a change in the zoning for a contentious corner, the three acres in the southeast corner where Burlington Mills Road and Ligon Mill Road cross.
In the past the pleas of neighbors kept gas stations from that corner but this year another element was added – the possibility of contamination of the groundwater from leaky underground fuel tanks. That was definitely in the minds of the nine planning board members who unanimously voted not to approve Wake Forest developer Jim Adams’ request to change the current zoning to include a gas station.
Ed Gary, the planning board’s vice chairman, made the motion to deny the request, saying there is lots of latitude to build different types of commerce in the property zoned as conditional use neighborhood business. “A convenience store can be built,” but “I don’t approve of the addition of the gas station.”
A dozen neighbors went to the podium during the public hearing to talk about the traffic congestion at the intersection and on the two two-lane roads during traffic times, the light and noise pollution from a gas station and convenience store, the fear of crime and even a researched study showing that nearby homes could lose value because of the proposed uses. There were about 25 people who appeared to be at the meeting to oppose the change in the allowed uses.
But it was Randy Meares, an early homeowner in Deer Chase subdivision, who talked about his friend and Wake Forest developer Ira “Shorty” Lee and how he wanted to make Deer Chase and nearby Whippoorwill “sort of a Utopia.” Lee would drive around the subdivisions every Saturday, giving dog biscuits to dogs and bubble gum to children. He built the subdivisions with a groundwater well system and a septic system. Now the Richland Creek Community Church is also tied into that water system, Meares said, asking what would happen if this thing is approved and the tanks corrode.
A neighbor of Meares, Rodney Murphy said, “The well is so shallow it [water] bubbles up in a neighbor’s yard. There is water bubbling up out of the asphalt.”
Geoffrey Gerko, a mechanical engineer who said he had experience with groundwater pollution abatement, said, “I see some problems with the fuel tanks. That would raise some concerns.”
No one appeared to speak for or against the second rezoning request which included approval of a master plan, Oak Hills subdivision. Since April Mike Crowley, the engineer for the subdivision, has determined the exact property line for the next-door Duke Energy power line easement and has adjusted the entrance and eliminated one of the original 55 lots.
Planning board members had a bit of a problem with the two lots that are partly inside the power line, but Matthew Winslow, the builder, said both are large enough for a house though not for a fence or shed.
As reported earlier the Westford Place subdivision and annexation requests have been withdrawn by the developer and the owner, former Wake Forest mayor George Mackie.
The two recommendations will go to the town board and the commissioners will voted on them during their May 17 meeting.
