Statesville City Council approves Moose Club Road rezoning and annexation on second reading
The Statesville City Council approved the second reading of rezoning and annexation request for a proposed 48-home subdivision along Moose Club Road during its Nov. 2 meeting, despite opposition from several council members who raised concerns about emergency response time, future fire station costs and the city’s growth patterns.
The request, filed on beheld of property owner Jeffrey S. Troutman et al. by Novel Holdings, cover approximately 19 acres along Moose Club Road near the Wildewood Subdivision. The proposed development would allow for up to 48 single-family homes.
Both requests received a 5-3 approval during their first readings at the council meeting Oct. 19 meeting and returned for consideration on their second readings on Nov. 2.
The rezoning request, ZC26-09, would change the property's designation from the Town of Troutman's RS and Iredell County's RA jurisdictions to the City of Statesville's R-8 CZ Conditional Zoning District. The related annexation request, AX26-09, would bring the approximately 19-acre property into Statesville's jurisdiction.
Council members raise concerns about fire response times and growth
During Nov. 2 discussion, several council members questioned whether the proposed development aligned with Statesville’s long-term growth plans and whether the city could adequately provide services to the area.
Councilman James Pressly expressed support for the development itself but said he could not support the rezoning and annexation because of property’s proximity to Troutman’s city limits.
"I'm all for the development and I hope the transaction closes for the benefit of all of the folks that have shown up here tonight. But, I do not support this rezoning and annexation which is almost at the Troutman city limits," Pressly said.
Pressly pointed to the city’s recent investment in a fire station on Fifth Street, which opened two years ago and cost around $15 million to construct. He questioned whether continued annexations farther from existing service areas could eventually require the city to relocate the station or construct another facility.
"My fear is that if we continue to annex neighborhoods that are almost to the Troutman city limit, that it's only a matter of time before the manager and the chief are going to come to this body and say we need to either move that fire station or build a new one at the cost of $20 or $30 million dollars," Pressly said.
Councilman Trey Robertson echoed those concerns, citing the estimated fire response time for the proposed development.
“This is clearly outside of the contiguous growth that we're seeing," Robertson said. "This may be the right time layout, but it's certainly the wrong time."
Robertson also raised concerns about the timing of the request amid ongoing utility discussions within Statesville. He argued that the city should avoid satellite annexations outside its established growth areas, describing the proposal as financially irresponsible.
Councilman David Jones offered a different perspective, arguing that the property was not isolated from existing development.
“If you look at the legend that we have here, and it’s not that far out there. We’re already out there,” Jones said.
Robertson pushed back, arguing that previous development decisions should not dictate future growth.
“Just because bad decisions were made in the past does not mean we continue to make bad decisions,” Robertson said,
Despite the concerns, council approve the rezoning request 5-3.
The related annexation request also passed with five votes in favor and three opposed.
Proposal previously received public input
The Moose Club Road development was first presented to council during its Oct. 19 meeting, when six residents spoke during the rezoning public hearing.
One speaker discussed how her husband and siblings had inherited the property but ultimately needed to sell it because of personal health circumstances.
Other residents shared perspectives on the proposed subdivision's potential impact on the community and Statesville's economy, including the possibility that future residents would shop and spend money within the city.
No one spoke during the public hearing for the related annexation request.
With approval of both second readings on Nov. 2, the Moose Club Road rezoning and annexation requests advanced through the City Council's consideration process.
The proposal represents another residential development consideration for Statesville as the city continues to weigh housing growth, infrastructure capacity and the costs of providing municipal services to expanding areas.
To view the Nov. 2 City of Statesville council meeting, visit here. For more information about the Oct. 19 council meeting, read this article here.
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