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Pikeville gives okay to new subdivision plan
By Sarah A. Wise
NL Staff Writer
3 April 2008 — The Pikeville Planning Board discussed two potential subdivisions this week that could lend growth to the area.
The board first examined a plan that had come before the town previously for a subdivision off of Big Daddy’s Road. The board had recommended several changes to the plans, which had been made.
However, the board still had concerns about a proposal regarding the paving of the road.
The developers stated that they planned to build four houses on the lots, and intended to make the road a gravel driveway. But the town’s subdivision ordinance requires all roads to be paved.
The board discussed the possibility of allowing the road to remain gravel until other lots have homes built on them. If the road wasn’t eventually paved, it would fall onto the town of Pikeville to pave the road.
Board Chairman Luke Vail said he didn’t think that the size of the subdivision was really the issue at this point.
“The ordinance doesn’t really deal with the size,” he said. “We’re dealing with setting a precedent for the future. I think we should just stick to the rule.”
Town Commissioner Dennis Lewis stated that he didn’t feel the town should allow the developers to cut corners.
Planning Board member Rick Davis said that, other than the paving issue, the felt the lots and the subdivision looked good and would be an asset to the town.
The board unanimously voted to reject the proposal as it was submitted, and to accept it with the added change of a paved road before development starts.
The second subdivision, which would be located on property adjoining Booker Street, was new to the board. The developers, Braswell Homes of Princeton, were present to address any questions.
Mr. Davis said that he had visited homeowners near the site before the meeting, and had discovered one primary concern. Homes on the dead-end street are currently cut off from access out whenever a train passes through town, and they expressed concern that a new subdivision would only add to the problem.
Board member James Holden, who lives on the street, said that even though trains are only supposed to stop traffic on town streets for a few minutes at a time, he has seen trains blocking the road for up to an hour. He added that in an emergency situation, such as when a train derailed near town, citizens were trapped for about six hours.
He added that he would like to see plans in the subdivision for an alternative access to the highway, both for safety and convenience.
Commissioner Lewis said he understood the concerns, but pointed out that the fire department is also blocked off from part of town whenever a train goes through.
Mr. Holden rebutted that at least the department could travel around the train; Booker Street has no alternative route.
Wade Braswell of Braswell Homes said that he understood the board’s concern. However, he added that he’s worked in several subdivisions where he wasn’t required to have an alternative access built with up to 100 homes in the area.
He also noted that the access issue would still be there, even if the town did not approve building a subdivision.
Town Clerk Kathie Fields added that the subdivision ordinance technically does not allow the board to not approve the subdivision on that issue. The board’s requirements for not approving must stem directly from a discrepancy between plans and the requirements of the ordinance.
The board also expressed some concern about sewer in the area. The land proposed for the subdivision had previously been approved, and sewer and water lines had been put down.
But financial issues discontinued the project, and the land and lines have stood dormant for decades.
The developers plan on testing the old lines, and using them if they meet the standards. However, the board members expressed serious concerns about the reliability of the lines.
Mr. Braswell assured the board that if the lines were not in good shape, he would put down new ones. However, he didn’t see the point in replacing them without testing first.
The board approved the proposal. Commissioner Lewis then told Mr. Holden that he thought the safety concerns on Booker Street were a valid issue, and that he would bring them before the town board.
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Issue of 3 April 2008 Wayne Wilson News Leader Princeton News Leader Email us: |
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