City Approves Beverly Heights & Western Heights Small Area Plan, Advances Turnersburg Highway Rezoning
City officials approved the Beverly Heights & Western Heights Small Area Plan following a public hearing focused on the future of the neighborhoods and surrounding areas, while also approving first readings for rezoning and annexation requests involving property along Turnersburg Highway at Monday's meeting.
The Beverly Heights & Western Heights Small Area Plan was developed to provide the city with a refined framework for future land-use decisions and identify public investment priorities within the area.
The study area encompasses approximately 600 acres and 455 properties, including single-family detached neighborhoods, Residence at Northgate, the Old Wilkes Center, Gainzville Plaza and McClure Park.
The planning process included community engagement beginning June 2, 2026, when more than 45 residents and community members participated in an engagement event at the recreation center. Participants provided feedback through stations focused on transportation, parks and recreation, code enforcement, zoning and future land use, as well as existing conditions and desired improvements.
A draft plan was presented for review July 2, outlining a vision for the area and eight priority recommendations.
The plan's vision describes Beverly Heights and Western Heights as a “Welcome Home Corridor” that balances thoughtful growth with preservation of established neighborhood character.
The eight recommendations include connecting Absher Park Road to Museum Road to create a direct connection between Highway 115 and U.S. 21, a connection officials noted would be particularly important for fire and emergency services.
The plan also calls for a safe pedestrian connection between the Gregory Creek Greenway and McClure Park, upgrades to existing facilities at McClure Park and new amenities, including a playground.
Other recommendations focus on preserving heritage trees and natural open spaces, encouraging neighborhood-scale commercial development such as retail and restaurants, discouraging high-density development and creating a cohesive streetscape plan along the Highway 115 corridor with elements such as street trees, lighting and sidewalks.
During the public hearing, one resident urged officials to consider the area's existing character and geographic position as they make future development decisions.
“We ask that you simply lean into this decision and embrace the value of our unique geographical position, the value of our enduring character and fiscal durability. Let’s build on the connection, not over it,” one resident said.
Following the public hearing, the motion to approve the small area plan passed.
Turnersburg Highway rezoning and annexation
Officials also held public hearings on a proposed rezoning and annexation involving property along Turnersburg Highway near Fourth Crescent Place.
The rezoning request, ZC26-12, concerns an approximately one-acre site located along Turnersburg Highway between Cowan Lane and Fourth Crescent Place. The request would change the property's zoning from R-5, a high-density single-family residential district, to B-4, a highway business district intended for commercial uses.
The property is associated with plans involving a Chick-fil-A location near Fourth Crescent Place.
A separate annexation request, AX26-11, involves approximately 1.8 acres along Turnersburg Highway and Fourth Crescent Place under the ownership of Free Nancy LLC, James H. Pressley and David L. Pressly.
The request is for contiguous annexation into the city.
According to city staff, the site meets the statutory requirements for annexation and services can be efficiently provided by the city or other utility providers.
During the public hearing, Stacy Renucci, representing CPH and serving as a Chick-fil-A program manager, spoke in support of the requests.
Renucci said the existing Chick-fil-A location is experiencing capacity issues and that efforts have already been made to improve traffic flow at the current site.
“It is overflowing. They have tried to drive through improvements to make it work better. They need to get on a bigger parcel where they can provide more drive through queuing areas and adequate parking,” Renucci said.
Renucci also emphasized that no final decision has been made regarding the future of the existing property.
“It could be possible that they just discontinue use at that building and it returns to the property owners' rights to lease it to another business or demolish and build something new. At this moment, nothing has been decided firmly,” she said.
Following the public hearing, officials approved the motions for the rezoning and annexation requests on their first readings.
To view the full Statesville City Council meeting, click here.
Comments