Sanford backs industrial expansion into rural neighborhood, citing “market trends”

On Dec.2, the Sanford City Council sidestepped its definition of “Countryside” for the PlanSanLee Land Use Plan to approve rezoning approximately 23 acres of “Countryside” off Colon Road for light industry. This article covers the Sanford Council Dec. 2 and Nov. 18 meetings and explains the “market trend.”

The larger tract is 22.86 acres, composed of two vacant tracts of land. One vacant 19.89-acre tract has road frontage on Colon Road, and the other vacant 2.97-acre tract is accessed by Tabitha Lane, a private road off Colon Road.

The Planning Board found the request inconsistent with the Plan SanLee which aims to preserve agricultural and rural character, but still reasonable and in the public interest because the site sits next to existing heavy-industrial.

So, the council amended its statement to read that the light industry development was consistent.

The exact businesses for the planned development were not identified.

The council had heard citizens from the Nov. 18 public hearing seeking the right to enjoy their right to privacy and enjoyment in the “Countryside,” where they built their homes off Colon Road and the Sanford City Council annexed the planned light industrial development property into the city.

At the Nov. 18 public hearings, Sanford Growth Alliance Director Jimmy Randolph said they were following the market trend by developing light industrial properties and its neighboring properties and said the proposed techflex industrial use would be beneficial because it would support supply chains and provide high-paying jobs.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein reignited North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) grant campaign to drive light industry into rural areas Oct. 16 of this year when he listed grant awards.

Moore, Lee and Harnett did not receive these grants, but the light industrial tracks into rural areas race across the letterheads of economic developers, “follow the market trend.”

The state awarded $10 million in RIA grants to “create jobs,” “improve quality of life,” and “attract businesses.” The structure of these grants pushes public incentives for industrial development into or near residential communities.

Infrastructure facilitates development while lowering the cost for industry and developers to locate in undeveloped, lightly zoned areas and neighborhoods.

When a significant number of citizens do not voice opposition to the development during public hearings, the opinions of the few who do speak are often dismissed in favor of approving the new development.

Jeff Roach, with Peak Engineering and Design, said at the Nov. 18 meeting the techflex use may be anywhere from 5,000 to 25,000 square feet buildings. The company said the change would allow techflex and other non-residential uses, opening the door for industrial-style development.

At the Nov. 18 public hearing, Long-Range Planning Administrator David Montgomery said a non-contiguous annexation request on Colon Road would support industrial development. Montgomery outlined the criteria for this type of annexation under state law and said the request meets all requirements.

The land is listed as “Countryside” and “Suburban Neighborhood” in the PlanSanLee Land Use Plan and sits in the Northview Fire District.

Montgomery said on Nov. 18 that the site appears to have access to public water but not public sewer. If the annexation is approved, the city must assign a zoning district within 60 days, and staff recommended placing it in Electoral Ward 2.

Two nearby residents spoke in opposition. Zachary Johnson, who owns adjoining property, said the move could attract more industrial projects and erode the rural character of the neighborhood. Tiwana Cole, who also lives next to the site, said industrial growth nearby, including Bharat Forge, has already increased traffic and this project would worsen congestion.

With no other comments from council members, Mayor Salmon closed the Nov. 18 public hearing.

The council then voted 5–1 to approve the annexation and assign the property to Ward 2. Council Member Charles Taylor cast the lone dissenting vote.

Taylor told the planning board he was concerned about the possible negative impact that lighting, noise, and traffic associated with future light industrial development may have on people living in the area.

The next meeting is the work session Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.

Dec. 3, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers

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