Residents and planners back small multifamily rezoning near Wahlberg Landing; planning board recommended approval

The Board of Commissioners heard a public‑hearing briefing on Dec. 15 for a zoning petition by Keystone Group Inc. to rezone a 0.73‑acre parcel at the southeast intersection of Wahlberg Landing Drive and Overline Drive from HBS (high business) to RM18S (multifamily special use).

Kirk Erickson, planning staff, said the site sits adjacent to an existing multifamily community and a food‑anchored shopping center across the Davidson County line. The proposal would add a three‑story building with 12 two‑bedroom units to an existing development that contains 264 units, representing less than a 5% net increase in units, Erickson said. The project design would reuse an existing graded pad and available parking.

Erickson told commissioners the item was heard by the planning board on Nov. 13, which received no speakers in opposition and voted unanimously to recommend approval to the commissioners.

Commissioners asked technical questions about setbacks and North Carolina Department of Transportation review; staff said NCDOT review appears in the packet and interdepartmental comments raised no concerns. Planner Erickson said buffer yards were not required because adjacent uses on the Davidson County side are commercial.

The briefing provided background photos and site plans and stressed the development would add a modest number of units in an area served by existing infrastructure.

The public hearing is scheduled for the formal meeting; no final action was taken during the briefing.