Thirty to 40 homeowners and neighbors of the upscale Spratlin Mill subdivision developed by Morris Bullock showed up at Tuesday night’s public hearings of the planning and zoning commission to express their disapproval of Bullock’s plans for approximately 90 new, smaller lots without covenants.
Bullock told the commission that he wants to rezone three parcels totaling approximately 116 acres adjacent to Spratlin Mill from A-1 and A-2 (agricultural) to R-1 (.75 acre minimum) to make way for “Phase V” of the development.
The original phases of the subdivision, which borders Bullock’s own home, are built on two-plus acre lots with large, upscale homes valued at between $300,000 to $600,000 on average. All the current homesites have covenants regarding acreage, minimum square footage and design styles.
The newer, denser development, if approved, would be accessed by driving through the original subdivision.
Bullock said he needs the ability to have smaller lot sizes to make the development financially feasible. Bullock also said he would not agree to attach the same sort of covenants to Phase V in order to get the rezoning.
“I’m not willing to put any covenants on the 120 acres that will affect it forever,” Bullock told the planning board. “..To be asked to put restrictive covenants on this size of a development is unreasonable.”
And Bullock reminded those present that all these homes are or will be in his “own backyard” and that he has lived on Spratlin Mill Road for the last 31 years.
Spratlin Mill property owner Dave Feagan told the commission that the current subdivision residents have no objection to Bullock’s rezoning request, but that they do take exception to his refusal to apply covenants that will protect the property value of their homes.
He said the group had two primary concerns: traffic and land values.
Property owner Jay Pridgen told the commission that Bullock had promised “country estate living,” and that he feels the proposed rezoning signifies a change from that. “The (original homes) were held to more stringent standards, as the phases have progressed, the quality of construction has dropped over time,” Pridgen maintained, adding that he thought there would be no objections to the plans if this phase were made a separate subdivision with a different entrance.
“We’re not asking that you throw it out, we’re just asking that you help make it work for our community,” Kelly Guest said.
Bullock said those opposing his plans were being selfish.
“It’s a selfish attitude to say ‘I got mine, to heck with everyone else,’” Bullock said of the community’s objections.
Commission member Wendell Hanley told Bullock that he felt his attitude was selfish to think that the current homeowners wouldn’t want to hold on to the integrity of their homes.
“This (phase) looks like a totally different characterization of what’s been done,” he said.
Commission member Nick Paski told Bullock that he has the utmost respect for him and considers him the “premier developer” in the county.
“This is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, I think everyone in this room wants to try to work with you – you’ve earned their respect as well,” Paski said.
“Lot size, for me is not that critical, maintaining the integrity of that community is the real issue,” commission member John Stuedemann said.
The board of commissioners will make the final decision at its regular business meeting next Monday night at 6:30 p.m.
And this ding-dong wants to build more and depress the market even further?
This is why the market melted down...greedy developers overbuilding.
This guy is doing an about-face to the people whose money he has already taken just so he can take someone else's money with lower priced homes. This is a no-brainer...Just say no to this 2-faced style of "deveopment."