BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
Statesville Planning Director Sherry Ashley on Monday presented a strategic plan to help guide the City Council as it attempts to manage growth in and around the city.
The strategy, developed by staff in various departments, was the result of a request from Councilman Joe Hudson at council’s last meeting in November. Hudson said he believed there was a need to get a better handle on the residential growth occurring in the city.
During a presentation at Monday’s council meeting, Ashley explained said the plan looks at growth in four tiers:
♦ Tier 1 – Areas within the city limits and extra-territorial jurisdiction;
♦ Tier 2 – Areas where city services are expected or reasonable within the next 10 to 20 years;
♦ Tier 3 – Areas where services are reasonable or expected in the next 25 years; and
♦ Tier 4 – Areas where services are more than 25 years out.
Among the concerns addressed is the city’s ability to provide services. The goal for fire service is a four-minute response time, which is reasonable within the Tier 1 areas.
Another concern is the city’s ability to meet the demand for sewer service. The Fourth Creek Treatment Plant is approaching 80 percent capacity.
”Residential development would not be encouraged” as a result of that, Ashley said.
The city has received one or two residential requests in the U.S. Highway 21 north area that falls within the Tier 1 recommendations.
“Staff has discouraged them from that knowing that we have approached the 80 percent capacity,” Ashley said.
Ashley said the priority areas for new development are around the Statesville Regional Airport/Interstate 40; Jane Sowers Road (U.S. 21 north); and the Larkin Regional Commerce Park. For redevelopment, she said, the areas identified are Broad Street/Signal Hill Mall, Front Street/U.S. Highway 64 and southern neighborhoods/Shelton Avenue.
Hudson said he was pleased with the plan, but wanted to see input from the Statesville Police Department. Councilwoman Doris Allison agreed.
Councilman David Jones said he wanted the plan to also address commercial and retail growth. Councilman Steve Johnson agreed.
Mayor Costi Kutteh said the plan was not up for a vote at Monday’s meeting, but was presented for informational purposes. Council plans to continue its discussion during its retreat early next year.
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business:
♦ The council approved the first reading of a new electric line extension policy for future residential development.
The new policy, if given final approval by council, will put some of the financial burden of expanding electric services onto developers, said Cody Leis, electric utilities director.
The main expense the city incurs currently is the cost of labor and materials, Leis said. The new policy will help offset those costs.
Under the new policy, some costs would be paid upfront by the developer and revenue credits would be given for usage, Leis said.
♦ Council also approved a request to widen and pave a portion of Old Salisbury Road and add it to the city’s maintenance system. Public Works Director Steve Bridges asked for a budget amendment of $50,000 to pay for the improvements.