Sanford proposals await technical review in March 2026

The City of Sanford’s Technical Review Committee (TRC) will review the following projects in March.

Lee County 46-Lot Subdivision Proposal

Morgan Fields Subdivision is proposed near the Tramway area, where traffic congestion is a common concern.

Applicant Beth Blackmon, PE with Timmons Group and project manager Greg Morgan of Morgan Development Company proposed the 46-lot Morgan Fields Subdivision on 78.24 RA-zoned acres at 0 Clifton Lane. It is east of the Steel Bridge intersection and Blackstone roads in Lee County.

The picturesque farmland is home to cows, a gravel road, and homesites spread out with enough distance between them to guarantee the peace homeowners invested in with their property rights.

Without public water and sewer, private wells and septic systems are proposed.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation maintains Clifton Lane.

Morgan Fields Subdivision is a newcomer to the technical review committee.

As a major subdivision, it requires a preliminary plat by county planning and commissioners before moving forward.

City of Sanford Redesigned Proposal

Applicant Beth Blackmon, PE, and project manager Mark Lyczkowski submitted a redesigned concept plan for Willard Meadows Subdivision on 12.26 acres at 1711 Boone Trail Road between Gleenwood Drive and Nixon Drive.

In Dec. 2024, Sanford approved the plan because it is the 421 North Townhomes Conditional Zoning District but the previously proposed road connection to Nixon Drive needed to be updated to meet the Unified Development Ordinance standards and state fire codes.

The area initially set for a second access point is now proposed to return to SN-12 zoning for possible future single-family development, separate from the townhome project.

The developer is required to request an amendment to the conditional zoning through the new rezoning process, which means a new public hearing. This is because the subdivision is plan-specific conditional zoning and the street layout changed.

In July 2024, the TRC first handled this proposal, and if approved, the committee must review a preliminary subdivision plat. Because it is a city proposal, when TRC approves it, that automatically approves the preliminary plat.

A Hotel on Broadway Road Proposal

Applicant Jeremy Thomas, PE and project manager Corey Mabus submitted a concept plan for a proposed 100-room Tru Hotel on 8.71 acres on Broadway Road near Lee County Athletic Park’s entrance. The land is split zoned general commercial in the front and light industrial in the rear. Rezoning is not necessary because hotels are permitted in both.

Broadway Road has a water connection, but public sewer would need extension.

This plan has two outparcels for future development on the same road.

TRC is seeing this proposal for the first time and requires a full review before permitting and construction.

Wilkinson Chevrolet Maintenance Shop Proposal

Applicant Jeremy Thomas, PE, and project manager Dave Richardson submitted plans for a 7,000-square-foot maintenance and repair shop on 2.18 acres zoned general commercial at 3341 North Carolina Highway 87 South, next to Wilkinson Chevrolet’s dealership. The plans include parking for vehicles and inventory storage.

Sewer lines need extending, but public water is available. NCDOT maintains the road.

This is the first TRC review before allowing permits.

March 4, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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